How to make joy our natural state of being?
This is one of the biggest questions on a global level. Do you know why?
Because almost no one manages to achieve it.
I even think that if you asked the soul this question, it would answer something like:
“Well, I didn’t come to this world to be joyful, but to gather certain experiences and work through certain karmic debts.”
However, to be more serious/practical in my possible answer:
The main reason why joy cannot be our primary emotion lies in the wrong approach to trying to achieve it.
Primarily, I mean that people think material aspects are the key – if they are fulfilled, they will create the conditions for joy. I don’t even want to talk about this because anyone who has scratched the surface of spirituality understands that wealth does not equal happiness.
Instead, I want to highlight a more subtle mistake in the approach.
Many people believe that if they take proper care of their physical body, if they are emotionally balanced, mentally stable, spiritually calm and open, and if their attitudes and worldview are in harmony with the world they live in, adapting as the world changes…then maybe they will have the conditions to feel joy as their primary emotion.
Now, let’s ask ourselves:
Do you know anyone like this?
Furthermore, many advanced students in spiritual technologies have achieved this state…but only for a moment or a short period.
Why?
Because of a fundamental mistake in the approach to trying.
Why do we need continuous practices just to reach that state for a brief moment?
Where is the mistake?
The approach is too shallow. Depth is needed. Seeking profound, essential questions is necessary.
- Who am I?
- What am I?
- Who is “I”?
- Where do I come from?
- Why am I here?
- What is my purpose in this place?
If we find the answers to these questions, there will be no need for endless practices, techniques, and rituals just to maintain balance.
Balance will be long-lasting, and relatively stable.
Peace will be present most of the time.
Joy will become our primary state of being.
How easy is this to achieve?
Just look around you – How many people do you see who are constantly joyful?
Is the reward great?
Is it worth making the effort to truly know yourself on a deep level?
YES!
– Sensei