“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.”   Leon Bloy

There is a word in Sanskrit, ANANDA, that means something like “the joy without which the universe would fall apart and die.” 

This kind of joy is not to be equated with our usual understandings of happiness, of things going well for us, of absolute ongoing calm, of good luck.  Rather this kind of joy is more like what happens when a rainbow appears in the sky.  The rainbow appears only when both the rain of the storm and the sun of the clearing come together.  Then the light is refracted and the colors of the rainbow appear, the full spectrum of color.  And, what we usually do not see, is that the rain – bow is actually a rain circle, the circle is cut in half at the horizon making the curve we call the bow. 

Joy is the ability to hold in wholeness both the storms of life and the clearing that brings good weather.  Joy is the ability to recognize, appreciate, and embrace the full spectrum of life’s experiences, to be open to the circle of life, to life’s cycles.  Sorrow and celebration,  hurt and healing,  disappointment, despair and delight are woven together in a braiding  of life experience that neither shuns the difficult days nor sinks into them for a long season of retreat.  Joy then is not dependant on circumstance, but on attitude, on the ability to be encounter God in each moment.

Here are a few other thoughts on JOY( found in the Multifaith Calendar 2009:  Reflections on Joy):

“Joy can be found in the places within; Overflowing in song when you let God in”  Rabbi Shefa Gold

“All beings are in the grip of anxiety; but by contemplation of God comes joy.”  Sri guru Granth Sahib, Ramkali Dakhni Onkar, M. 1. P. 932

“According as one desires bliss, may one receive bliss, though thy most far seeing Spirit, O Lord.”  Avesta, Yasna 43.2

“For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”  Isaiah 55:12

On a day / when the wind is perfect/ the sail just needs to open and the world is full / of beauty.  / Today is such a day.”

“Serve the Holy One with joy.”  Psalm 100:2

Consider how you contribute to the ANANDA – to the joy without which the universe would fall apart and die.  How could you change your life so that you could contribute more joyful energy to the life of the universe?

Barbara