I came across a book of the Rebbe’s Maamorim (Chassidic discourses, which are an elevated spiritual exploration journey, quite different than most of the Rebbe’s talks and writings) and found this note in the introduction. The editors had trouble understanding a certain concept so they wrote to the Rebbe, who wrote back this note – pictured here.
It all goes back to a teaching of the Baal Shem Tov on an esoteric Kabbalistical concept. The verse says “Serafim Omdim M’Maal Lo” that the Seraph angles stand above G-d’s Throne. But there is a problem with this: The spiritual place of the Seraph angles is in the world of Beriah, the second of the spiritual worlds, and we know that the “throne of G-d’ is also in Beriah, so how is it that the Seraph angles ascend beyond/above the place of the throne?
The Baal Shem Tov explains: The Seraph angles are passionate, fiery with spiritual desire. They yearn to ascend beyond the throne, and therefore that is their place. This shows us the power of our thoughts and desires, and how we ought to be careful where they might bring us.
The Rebbe’s note emphasizes this point. Yes, there are many Talmudic teachings that highlight the power of thought, and how influential and effective thoughts can be. But this teaching of the Baal Shem Tov takes it further. It shows us: WE ARE WHERE OUR THOUGHTS ARE. For the Seraph angels are considered to be standing there. They aren’t described as yearning for that, but actually being there.
Usually, the Rebbe spoke much more about action than about thoughts. But this teaching can be both frightening and empowering. Our thoughts can place us in a much better place than we stand today, or sometimes they can place us in situations we’d rather not be caught in. Think of the power of positive thought!