What Is “Nullifying the Will”?
“I delve deeper and deeper into your writings... trying to understand... to bring it into simple, daily actions... What is required of us is nullification of the self, absolute devotion, the will does not exist, everything is for the sake of Heaven. For someone who didn’t grow up like this... for whom the private will is the essence... this is so hard to understand. What is meant by ‘absolute devotion’ in simple, daily terms?”
The “will to receive for oneself” is the illusory “I” that separates us from the Divine. The work is not to ignore it, but to transform the private will into a “will to bestow”—meaning that everything I do becomes a channel for the light, not just for myself.
What does this mean, simply, in daily life?
With Food:
Not to ask, “What do I feel like eating?” but “What will strengthen me for my soul’s work?”
Instead of eating more just because I feel like it, I stop for a moment, breathe, and eat so that I will have energy to love, to give, to create.
This is called “nullification of the will.” I am not serving the craving, but the higher purpose.
With Morning Habits:
The will says: “I want to sleep more.”
The nullification says: “I am rising to give my soul a start of light, even just a few minutes of gratitude or a kind word to myself.”
This is not a difficult sacrifice, but the redirection of an action toward a higher source.
In Connection with People:
The private will wants recognition, compliments, attention.
The nullification is to ask: “How can I make him happy? Bring him light? Truly be there?”
Not to seek to gain, but to be present as an act of giving.
In the Desire for a Relationship / Love:
Instead of “Who will give to me?” the question becomes, “How can I reveal Godliness in this connection? How can I turn this relationship into a channel for divine love?”
Nullifying the will doesn’t mean giving up on a relationship, but changing its foundation from taking to loving.
With Physical Desire / Sexuality:
The egoistic will: “How do I get filled?”
Nullification of the will: “How do I turn sexuality into a meeting of souls, a place that reveals light, subtlety, holiness?”
This is to transform the impulse from a place of use to a place of union.
This doesn’t mean I don’t eat what tastes good, don’t enjoy, don’t love. It means that I place intention above the pleasure. Every action—eating, walking, speaking, loving—is done with the awareness: “I am doing this for the sake of Heaven, to reveal light in the world.”
At first, it feels artificial, but slowly, it becomes natural, because the soul begins to lead.
The Tanya says: Nullification of the will is to become a “chariot for the Divine Presence,” meaning the person is no longer led by their own will, but allows the Shekhinah to pass through them.
The Ramchal says: The habit of “all my actions are for the sake of Heaven” transforms the small into a great light.
Baal HaSulam says: “We do not cancel the will, but elevate it.”
A simple image:
It’s like taking a candle. You can put it in a closed room and enjoy the light by yourself.
Or you can light other candles with it.
The nullification is not to extinguish my candle, but to light others with it.
The ego always speaks first: “I want to eat more,” “I want to sleep,” “I want attention,” “I want them to love me.” This will is the “animal soul.” The work is to recognize it and elevate the will to its root. I don’t fight the will. “The work is not in the nullification of matter, but in the sanctification of matter.”
The food becomes fuel for the service of God.
The rest becomes preparation for creation.
The connection becomes a place for the Divine.
When the action is done with this intention, the will has been nullified and transformed into a vessel. This is called “equivalence of form.” The will becomes like the light.
Every desire remains—only its direction changes.
Reflect:
Choose one area mentioned (food, relationships, morning routine). How could you shift your intention in that area today from “receiving” to “bestowing”?
Notice when the “ego’s voice” speaks first (”I want...”). Instead of fighting it, can you gently ask, “How can this desire be elevated to serve a higher purpose?”
Think of your own will as a candle. Are you using it only to light your own room, or are you using it to light other candles?
Let’s explore this together.