because it explains how to have the most positive relationship with existence.
It teaches that the cause of the universe is not blind, random, or emotionally empty.
What does Jewish mysticism teach about the Creator?
The Creator has free choice, intelligence, and a desire to give, and creation exists so His goodness can become revealed through human beings.
When people reveal goodness, it gives Him pleasure, but it does not cause a change in Him, because He is already complete beyond creation.
That belief changes the way a person experiences life.
What are human beings here to develop?
Human beings are not here only to receive goodness. We are here to develop the emotional skills needed to reveal it.
Trust, responsibility, compassion, self-awareness, forgiveness, and the ability to stay curious inside discomfort are part of how we become co-partners in creation.
What is the World of Souls?
Jewish mysticism also teaches belief in the World of Souls.
In the World of Souls, a person no longer has the physical body, physical status, or physical pleasure they had in this world.
A soul continues as the personality they developed in this world and feels emotions.
Why does curiosity lead to awe?
When a person is in a real state of curiosity, they begin to feel awe.
Awe is not only wonder.
It also contains humility and fear.
Fear, because every choice matters.
Wonder, because a human act of goodness can give the Creator pleasure without changing Him.
If you trust He is good, you can also feel love. That intimacy can contain sadness, because His goodness could be more revealed in the world.
This is why curiosity matters so much.
Without curiosity, a person may only see pain, randomness, and frustration.
With curiosity, a person begins asking deeper questions:
What goodness is still hidden here?
What responsibility is being asked of me?
What can I reveal through this moment?
How does this change the way a person sees suffering?
This also changes how a person relates to suffering.
Suffering is not good, but it does not mean existence is meaningless.
It means goodness is still hidden, and human beings were created to help reveal it.
Jewish mysticism gives a person the inner psychological structure to relate to life with sadness, fear, wonder, responsibility, and hope.
It allows you to get better at emotional skills like compassion, boundaries and self forgiveness.
Questions people ask
Why is Jewish mysticism relevant for all of humanity?
Because it explains how to have the most positive relationship with existence. Jewish mysticism teaches that the cause of the universe is not blind, random, or emotionally empty. The Creator has free choice, intelligence, and a desire to give, and creation exists so His goodness can become revealed through human beings.
What happens to a person's personality after they die, according to Jewish mysticism?
In the World of Souls, a person no longer has the physical body, physical status, or physical pleasure they had in this world. The soul continues as the personality a person developed here, and it still feels emotions - the personality someone builds in this life is what continues into the World of Souls.
Does Jewish mysticism teach that suffering is meaningless?
No. Jewish mysticism teaches that suffering is not good, but it does not mean existence is meaningless. It means goodness is still hidden, and human beings were created to help reveal it. Without curiosity, a person may only see pain, randomness, and frustration instead of that hidden goodness.
Which emotional skills does Jewish mysticism ask a person to practice?
Trust, responsibility, compassion, self-awareness, forgiveness, and the ability to stay curious inside discomfort. Jewish mysticism also helps a person get better at emotional skills like compassion, boundaries and self forgiveness. These skills are practiced in ordinary moments, by asking what goodness is still hidden here and what you can reveal through this moment.
“Jewish mysticism gives humanity a way to see the universe as meaningful, intelligent, and built for revealed goodness.”
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.