JOY<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The third week of advent is focused on JOY. I ask three questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Is Joy different from happiness?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. What brings you joy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. What are the obstacles to joy for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a discussion group this week the consensus was that joy is different from happiness, and happiness is different from joy. Happiness is a general satisfaction with life, a sense of well-being. On the other hand, joy is a more intense emotion, an unexpected or sudden event that takes our breath away with awe and wonder. One example is coming over a mountain top when hiking and seeing an expansive, beautiful view. It\u2019s an aha<\/p>\n\n\n\n
moment. Another example that was given was the miracle and wonderment of the birth of a child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Children spontaneously demonstrate joy when finding their favorite toy, or anticipating a visit from Santa Claus. It has been suggested that adults may tend to feel vulnerable to feeling joy and may build a wall of resistance. The resistance comes from fear that the<\/p>\n\n\n\n
joy may not last, that there is a disaster just around the corner, and that we have to brace<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ourselves for that disaster. We miss out on the beauty of joy if we are always trying to<\/p>\n\n\n\n
clamp down on that emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Book of Joy<\/em> by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Dalai Lama is a comprehensive discussion of joy. They both suggest that one of the fundamental secrets of cultivating joy and happiness is to get outside of our own self-centeredness. When we focus on our own problems, we develop frustration, stress, anger, fear and other obstacles to joy. By looking at the other and having compassion for others, it automatically leads us to joy. In Buddhist teachings there are eight pillars of joy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n than half empty)<\/p>\n\n\n\n level)<\/p>\n\n\n\n way)<\/p>\n\n\n\n to give to them to make their life easier)<\/p>\n\n\n\n By practicing these pillars, we can build spiritual capacity<\/em> and move beyond our own<\/p>\n\n\n\n pain and suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Philippians 4: 4-7<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to<\/p>\n\n\n\n all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and<\/p>\n\n\n\n petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which<\/p>\n\n\n\n transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mary Anne totten<\/p>\n\n\n\n CPE Intern<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" JOY The third week of advent is focused on JOY. I ask three questions: 1. Is Joy different from happiness? 2. What brings you joy? 3. What are the obstacles to joy for you? In a discussion group this week the consensus was that joy is different from happiness, and happiness is … Continue reading Reflection from Mary Anne<\/span>