The Joy Within

This week’s Contemplative Living Podcast examines the Joy Within. Joy within us is inexhaustible and ever-present, even when we can’t sense it. It is best understood through direct experience. Connecting to our inner life with kindness provides an opportunity for renewal and emotional healing. Our essential joy resides not only in us but also in all sentient beings; it is unconditional and allows for freedom and interconnectedness.

Joy cannot be exhausted because it resides within us at all times

Joy is an essential part of human life. It brings us moments of happiness in our daily routine, making our lives more meaningful and beautiful. However, it’s not always easy to feel joy when we’re faced with challenging situations or overwhelming emotions.

The truth is that joy cannot be exhausted because it resides within us at all times, even if it’s often hidden beneath layers of fear, anxiety, and stress. When we learn to tap into this inner source of joy, we can experience its power and beauty no matter what’s happening around us.

To find the joy within ourselves requires a shift in perspective – away from external circumstances towards internal awareness. By focusing on our breath and being present in the moment, we can connect with this infinite source of positivity within ourselves.

It takes practice to cultivate this connection; however, once you become aware that your own personal fountain of joy never dries up but only gets hidden behind negative thoughts or emotions, then embracing each moment becomes much easier, knowing that there are endless moments full of love , peace & bliss just waiting for you to uncover.

Innate joy uproots the whole system of how we perceive ourselves in the world.

Finding unconditional joy is especially subversive in modern Western culture, where the dominant paradigm equates happiness with conditional joy, which often means material or social gain. I know that in my youth, the idea that inner contentment could be cultivated was totally foreign. I looked for happiness the way the people around me did—in things. Yet, no matter what delicious food I ate or video games I played, a sense of hollowness and disconnection seemed to follow me.

The feeling of innate joy that resides inside us also exists in every other sentient being.

It’s easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget about the world around us. We often think of ourselves as separate entities with our own joys and struggles that are unique to us. But what if we took a step back and realized that the joy we feel inside is not exclusive to us alone? What if we recognized that every living being experiences happiness, love, and contentment in their own way?

From the birds chirping outside our window to the dog wagging its tail at its owner’s arrival home, there is an abundance of joy all around us. We just have to open our hearts and minds to it. When we acknowledge this universal connection between all sentient beings, something magical happens – we begin to see the world through a different lens.

We start caring more deeply for others – whether they are humans or animals – because we recognize their inherent value as fellow creatures experiencing life on this planet. And when we share in each other’s joys, sorrows, hopes, and fears, it helps establish a sense of community where everyone feels welcomed and accepted.

So let’s embrace the joy within ourselves while also recognizing it in others. Let’s live our lives with empathy for those around us – both human & non-human alike – so that together we can create a brighter future for everyone involved!

Watch this episode of Contemplative Living on Youtube.