Tis the season. Time to celebrate with loved ones, to feast, to give. It can feel a little like a forced march, though. We may be missing those who have passed or those we can’t be with this year. We may be struggling emotionally, financially, physically. The pandemic rages on. The world continues to be an uncertain, sad place.
We want to feel joy (who doesn’t?) but how can we in the face of all that we are surrounded by?
Let’s start by acknowledging that we want to feel happiness and joy and that it is ok to both see pain and sorrow around us while at the same time understanding that we can and should experience true happiness. It’s ok! And it doesn’t mean that you can’t attend to those who suffer or work to ameliorate insufferable conditions. In fact, actively practicing Joy can give you more capacity to give to others.
Pure joy, joy without the desire to hold on to the experience forever, without a sense of entitlement or the need to keep the joy all to yourself is really just another name for boundless love.
This meditation, which I like to call the Love Machine, is a wonderful way to generate and experience the Joy of manifesting love – for yourself and for all beings. EnJOY!