How to get closer to Hashem

Rav Cohen from Machon Meir suggests one must force himself to contemplate and meditate about his relationship with G-d.

By RABBI KENNY COHEN
The Shavuot holiday represents the ultimate connection between G-d and the Jewish people. The revelation at Mount Sinai was probably the most important day in human history. All of the Jewish People heard G-d utter the first two of the Ten Commandments. The people were shown the truth of Hashem's existence and the special role of being "a light unto the nations."
The closeness felt between man and G-d at that time was astounding. How are we to try and achieve closeness to G-d today?
Because of life's fast pace and trials and tribulations, it is difficult to be thinking spiritual thoughts at all times. However, without spirituality, life is very empty and without meaning. One must force himself to set up definite times each day, even if only for several minutes, to contemplate and meditate about his relationship with G-d. One should ask for whatever one feels is lacking and one should express appreciation for the abundant blessings he receives. What is most important is to develop a dialogue with G-d. He genuinely cares. When one humbly attributes all that he has to the Holy One Blessed Be He, he will become closer in a way reminiscent of Mount Sinai.
Machon Meir is a Center for Jewish Studies located in the heart of Jerusalem, in the neighborhood of Kiryat Moshe. It was established by Rabbi Dov Bigon shortly after the Yom Kippur War in 1973. For the last 35 years, the center has been a place for all of Am Yisrael to come and learn more about their Jewish roots. It has expanded into a facility with over 500 students and classes in Hebrew, English, Russian, French and Spanish.