Sharing the Joy and Sorrow of Others

"If you enjoyed this podcast episode, feel free to share it with others, write a review...."


Well, okay. I will. I did enjoy it and will post a link and a brief review.


I came across this episode earlier in the week when I was looking for a secular meditation to help me calm the fuck down.


It did just that, even though it wasn't really a meditation. More a teaching. A lesson. I'm going through a tough time, a really difficult situation, and needed to step back from it.


Unconditional Joy


(Click on the link above to listen. The episode is a little over 30 minutes long.)


You can also read along as there is a transcript at the link, too.


Although the podcast episode was a great thing to listen to while taking a walk, I thought about it again today when I heard someone expressing dismay over her mother's fervent wish that she, the daughter, would regularly attend church. That one lifestyle change, going to church, would apparently make the mother happy; it would bring her joy. The daughter doesn't quite see it that way, though. If she chose to go to church just to make her mother happy but her heart wasn't really in it, what kind of happiness would the mother experience?


So, that conversation sent me back to the podcast episode again. Which is when I discovered the transcript. A few sentences are relevant here.


This one:



"I don’t approve of what you’re rejoicing about."

And:



"Why do I not find joy in that?"

Then:



"What conditions have I placed on joy, that prevent me from experiencing such a natural emotion?"


I am compelled now to say I don't find much joy in anything anymore. Nope, not looking for sympathy or pity. It's just a fact. And it's complicated, of course.


At the risk of simplifying the contents of the episode, I will say I do not believe it can be easily summarized. Please listen to the whole thing. Experience it, and comment here if you are so inclined.


In conclusion, and only because I don't have energy to say more, the podcaster urges listeners to be honest with ourselves and notice how we are actually feeling about someone else's joy or sorrow. Perhaps ambivalent?



"Why don’t I feel that? I wonder why? What did it take for this moment to arise? What kind of mental conditioning is preventing me from feeling that sorrow [or joy] that you’re feeling, for what you’re going through."

Thank you for reading. I haven't posted in awhile.