A baby provides enough proof that as human beings our true nature is joy. There is no need to strive in order to experience joyful living. Unconditional acceptance, unlimited curiosity and unending joy are already embedded in our true nature. Everything that steals our joy away from us is learnt – behaviours, thoughts and judgements . The promising aspect of this is that,
What can be learned can also be unlearned.
By constantly questioning our assessment and the assumptions that feed those assessments, we can gradually escape the pull of conditioning and choose how we feel, no matter what the external circumstances.
The only barrier between us and our joy is unhelpful perceptions.
The next time something comes around to drain your joy, I invite you to question your view on it and shift it until you can look at the same situation while retaining your joy. If you need help, look into a baby’s eyes and ponder on how they view life.
Written by Prabha Srinivasan.
Hridhaya Centre for Wellbeing 