Major religious festivals such as Christmas, Eid-el-Fitr for Muslims, Hanukkah for Jews, Diwali or Krishna Jyanti for Hindus and many others are simply the historically created cultural expressions pointing to a few eternal truths common to many religious denominations and spiritual paths and seekers not attached to any religion. One of these truths is that there is another reality behind the veil of material appearances. No human words can even start describing that transcendent reality which Paul Tillich many years ago called “the ground of being”.
Such an assurance that we are not alone and never will be is a source of a permanent, profound joy for all who have had the privilege of touching this grounding Presence (which many mystics have attempted to describe), especially in the extremely challenging times we are going through.
Keeping contact with this Presence on a permanent basis is one of the aims of the spiritual path. A helpful approach is to take a number of short breaks throughout the day. Start with 3-4 to begin with and add more as your inner inclination leads you (and it will – as long as you do this from the heart, not as a “I should make a pause” obligation – that would kill it from the start). Above all, let these pauses be moments of deep listening to what the Source is telling you, rather than telling It what you need or wish for.
Little by little, it will enable you to weave that tapestry of deep peace, quiet, permanent joy and unconditional love which are the only realities we will take along with us when we move to another dimension which some still call “dying” (which is just a dying to an illusion).
The permanence of joy. It can be ours. Today.
“JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD HAS COME” goes a beautiful spiritual, the Lord being the Presence of the most incredible Love which is permanently knocking at the door of our hearts.
A Blessing for Joy
A spiritual life without joy is missing an essential ingredient. One of the great spiritual leaders and avatars to walk this planet, Jesus, when sharing his vision with his followers, implied that this vision, understood, would bring with it perfect joy. However, one does not strive for joy for joy’s sake – it is often the result of giving one’s self to a higher purpose.
I bless You, infinite One, for having created JOY!
For what is life without joy but honey without sweetness or a bird without wings!
I bless myself in letting that joy well up from deep inside me where it always was and always shall be.
I bless myself in my opening to that unexpected joy which suddenly fills our heart like the sun breaking through the clouds invades all with its warm rays – a pure gift of grace.
May my life be a canticle of joy that uplifts the brokenhearted and the desolate and those in prisons of their own making.
In the quiet sanctuary of true listening, may I still all inner noise and mind’s interminable ramblings until I hear that deep inner silence from which all spiritual joy is born.
And may my life become that special space where the geyser of Your joy springs forth into eternity.
PP – from his book 365 Blessings to Heal Myself and the World
