After a very difficult time in her own life, Gladys Taylor McGarey M.D. tells us in her column in "Venture Inward", "It's important to understand that to be joyous does not mean there will not be times of sadness or depression. We find our life full of mountaintops and valleys so that the mountain top experiences can help us through the work that is done in the valley. Life would be very dull and bland if we did not have our ups and downs, our good times and our hard times. The important aspect of this is to go through the valley and not be stuck in it. It takes work and perseverance to walk through the valley. It has been said that hard jobs are done by those who can, impossible jobs are done by those who care, and transforming jobs are done by those who are committed. Joy comes from being present in the moment-by-moment experiences of life whether they are "good" or "bad" so that in the very experiencing of them we are transformed."
"Joy is not found in superficial pleasures, which can be pleasant and help us get through some hard times, but true joy is deeper than that - it does not look to things on the outside to give us joy, but comes from the inner experiencing of the at-one-ment of body, mind, and spirit."
Dr. McGarey sums it up "Joy and sorrow are so interrelated that at times of true deep joy we cry. "I often cry as a baby is being delivered. I cry at weddings at times. Tears of joy can be the most profound experience of joy. How important joy and laughter are in the whole experience of healing. When the energy is stuck at the level of the adrenals because of anger, judgment, disappointment, or fear, laughter can move that energy. With laughter the diaphragm literally tickles and juggles the adrenals so that energy is activated and moved up into the love center. Some of the most joyful people I know have suffered physically and emotionally, but have not allowed themselves to remain in their difficult space. They understand that the dark times add interest and definition to their lives. Our challenge is to cultivate the joyfulness and not let it get lost in sadness."
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1 comment:
An interesting entry ... I often comment how so many people lack that deep seated joy. Most people don't know what I'm talking about. This tells it in an understandable way.
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