A relationship with the Creator begins when you become aware that you are living before Him right now.
That is awe.
What is awe, if it is not being impressed?
Awe is not just being impressed.
It is the felt awareness that the Infinite Creator is here, that His wisdom is beyond what you can fully understand, that reality is not under your control, and that your choices still matter.
Which feelings live inside awe?
That awareness contains several feelings.
Wonder, because you notice wisdom and depth far beyond what you can understand.
Humility, because you realize you are not the Source, you do not see the whole story, and you are not in control of reality.
Healthy fear, because the relationship is real and your choices matter.
Together, those feelings create awe.
How does closeness with the Creator begin?
Just as human connection often begins with curiosity about another person, connection with the Infinite begins when your attention moves beyond yourself toward the One you are living before.
Then trust and appreciation can deepen that awe.
You begin noticing not only His greatness, but His goodness.
And that is where love deepens.
Why can love hold joy and sadness at the same time?
Love can contain joy because some of His goodness and closeness are already revealed.
That intimacy can also contain sadness because you want more of that goodness and closeness to be revealed.
You may feel:
“I am grateful You are near.”
“I want to know You more.”
“I want to feel Your closeness more clearly.”
“I want more of Your goodness revealed.”
That sadness can become desire, and desire is one of the raw ingredients of love and can lead to accepting more responsibility.
Sadness can also deepen awe because it makes you look more deeply at the Creator, His purpose, what your choices mean, and how you can help reveal more goodness.
What can you say to G-d when you feel afraid or ashamed?
And once awe and love are present, fear, sadness, shame, gratitude, confusion, and hope can all become part of a conversation with Him.
You can say:
“I am afraid.”
“I am ashamed.”
“I am grateful.”
“I miss You.”
“I want to come closer.”
How do awe, love, and honest words fit together?
Awe opens the relationship through wonder, humility, and healthy fear.
Love gives you the desire for closeness and holds both joy and sadness.
And honest words let your whole emotional life become part of that relationship.
More guides:
Your worth comes from being a creation: Some people don't hate the Jewish people because of ideas
Your soul has one real desire: You can spend your whole life searching
How is free choice real? From our perspective, we have free choice
Practicing gratitude is practicing faith: Gratitude isn't positive thinking
Questions people ask
What does it mean to become aware you are living before G-d?
It means realizing that the Infinite Creator is present with you right now, and that is the moment awe begins. Just as human connection often begins with curiosity about another person, connection with G-d begins the same way, when your attention moves beyond yourself. The emotional skill here is awareness, practiced by noticing Who you are living before.
Is awe just about being impressed by something amazing?
Awe is not just being impressed. It is the felt awareness that the Infinite Creator is here, that His wisdom is beyond what you can fully understand, that reality is not under your control, and that your choices still matter. Wonder, humility, and healthy fear together create awe.
What does sadness about wanting more closeness with G-d lead to?
Love can hold sadness even while it holds joy, because you already feel some of G-d's goodness and closeness, but you want more of it revealed. That sadness can become desire, one of the raw ingredients of love, and it can lead to accepting more responsibility and deepen your awe of G-d.
Which emotions are allowed in a conversation with G-d?
Fear, sadness, shame, gratitude, confusion, and hope can all become part of the conversation with Him, once awe and love are present. You can say, “I am afraid,” “I am ashamed,” “I am grateful,” or “I want to come closer.” Naming a feeling honestly is the emotional skill that lets your whole emotional life belong in that relationship.
Explore the NextSelf Blog. Start with this post explaining the world of souls. And my Youtube.
The blog lists all the difference patterns to study, understanding patterns is how one can develop 'Daas' [felt knowing].
Update: As awe, trust, and love deepen, they can allow greater openness and intimacy with the Creator. That intimacy can include sadness when you notice how much more of His goodness can be revealed.