When Have You Experienced Being Full of Joy?

Joy is one of the most powerful and fulfilling emotions a person can experience. People find joy in many ways, whether through simple pleasures like a delicious meal, meaningful friendships, or grand achievements like winning an Olympic medal. However, for a Kabbalist, joy takes on a completely different meaning.

A Kabbalist experiences joy not only in positive events but also in moments that might seem negative. Their joy does not stem from personal gain or external circumstances. Instead, it emerges from achieving equivalence of form with the Creator. When we unite with others and create a space for the revelation of the upper force—the force of love, bestowal, and connection—we experience a full, genuine, and lasting sensation of joy. The more we unite in mutual care and bestowal, the more we let the upper light flow between us, revealing the Creator in our connection. This is the deepest form of happiness, as it is not fleeting but an eternal sensation of wholeness.

This spiritual joy is unique because it stems from giving pleasure to the Creator, which, in turn, fulfills us. The Creator Himself needs nothing from us, but when we align with His qualities and experience this connection, we feel as though He rejoices with us. Spiritual joy is not about accumulating personal happiness but about letting the upper force manifest among us. When people unite with the intention of drawing closer to this force, they create the conditions for its revelation, and joy arises.

Even in worldly experiences, unity brings joy. Whether people gather to immerse themselves in a symphony, celebrate at a sports event, or share other common experiences, there is a sense of joy in such connection. My teacher, Kabbalist Baruch Ashlag (RABASH), once pointed out a stadium full of cheering soccer fans and said, “Respect this place because it brings people joy.” Any form of connection that does not cause harm is, at its core, a positive force. However, for it to be spiritual, it must be directed at the unity of humanity through which we discover the Creator.

Joy, according to Kabbalah, is not static. It is a process that can always be expanded. There is no such state where a person says, “I am happy enough; I need nothing else.” The feeling of complete fulfillment is an illusion because life is an ever-evolving journey. Therefore, joy comes from constantly advancing toward a greater connection, much like an athlete always striving to surpass their previous achievements.

Interestingly, the greatest joy often comes from anticipation. Future joys hold the strongest sensations because they remain unlimited in our minds. Past pleasures are stored in memory and fade over time, while present joys are experienced but not yet fully appreciated. However, future joys exist in a limitless space of possibility. When we set our sights on the goal of spiritual attainment, i.e., on coming into complete balance with nature or adhesion with the Creator, which are one and the same, then our anticipation of reaching this goal fills us with an immense sense of joy.

Kabbalists also find joy in what most people would consider obstacles. Descent and difficulties are a natural part of the spiritual process. However, a Kabbalist understands that every descent is a preparation for a higher ascent. By revealing a greater desire during these low points, we create the potential for a more significant revelation of light. This is why Kabbalists rejoice in both spiritual descents and ascents, knowing that the path itself leads to greater spiritual development.

One of the fundamental principles in Kabbalah is that the work itself must awaken joy. It is not about chasing rewards or expecting benefits in the future, but about finding happiness in the process of trying to implement spiritual qualities in our very connections, i.e., our motions to give, positively connect, and care for others. We can cultivate this joy by constantly reminding ourselves that we have been chosen to be on this path, that the Creator draws us closer, and that every moment is an opportunity to reveal something deeper.

But how can we egoistic beings, who solely wish to enjoy for our personal benefit alone, feel joy from something that contradicts our nature? This comes from placing ourselves in an environment that supports our desire to rise above our egoism and feel the Creator’s presence. Just as a traveler looks forward to an upcoming trip and feels joy even before it begins, so too we who wish to spiritually advance must envision our spiritual progress as an unfolding journey toward an incredible future.

Another key aspect of the joy a Kabbalist feels is that it is not joy in individual achievement but in mutual bestowal. When we act not for personal gain but for the sake of bringing joy to others, a new kind of fulfillment emerges. This is called “working for the sake of the Creator,” as it mirrors the upper force’s quality of absolute bestowal. When people unite in such a way, they create a vessel for the Creator’s revelation, and this revelation is the ultimate source of joy.

Attaining such joy requires study and practice. It does not arise naturally in an ego-driven world. This is why the wisdom of Kabbalah emphasizes the importance of a supportive group, which we call a “ten,” where its members exercise bestowing upon one another. Through such exercises, we gradually begin to perceive the hidden force behind reality, the Creator. Just as an artist trains their eye to see beauty in subtle details, a person immersed in the environment that values spiritual progress begins to sense the joy in bestowal.

The spiritual joy we experience in this process is thus an ever-expanding sensation that grows as we align with the eternal and perfect spiritual qualities of love, bestowal, and connection. The more we cultivate such qualities in our intentions, attitudes, and connections to each other, the more we transform our perception of reality and discover that joy is found not in what we receive from others, but in our motion to come out of ourselves, to love, care, and positively connect with others.

Based on the video “Joy – Spiritual States with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.” Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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