Exploring the Depths of Joy: A Journey of Inner Work
Our society often promotes a superficial understanding of joy, encouraging us to seek it outside ourselves. We skim over the depths of our lives, keeping things on the surface because it's easier and less painful.
As we continue our theme of joy this month at the Innerwork Center, I found myself pondering a profound question: What is joy, and how do people define it? Reflecting on my own life, I realized that my understanding of joy has evolved significantly over the years.
In my earlier years, I often saw joy as something external, something to be pursued or acquired. However, through mindfulness and spiritual teachings, I discovered a deeper, more enduring form of joy. I learned that true joy is not something that can be destroyed, even by death. This revelation was a game-changer for me. I began to ask myself, "How do I discover this type of joy? What if the only real joy I knew was the timeless, eternal joy deep within myself?"
The Superficial Pursuit of Joy
Our society often promotes a superficial understanding of joy, encouraging us to seek it outside ourselves. We skim over the depths of our lives, keeping things on the surface because it's easier and less painful. This "depth deprivation" keeps us from truly understanding who we are. Many of us avoid, distract, project, shame, and blame to escape the hard work of inner exploration. Yet, deep down, we all long to be our true selves.
The Journey Inward
My journey into mindfulness led me to meditation, surrender, creativity, and a deep communion with the silence within. This inward journey revealed the eternal joy that lives within us. To find this joy, we must face our inner pain, trauma, and shadows. Carl Jung described this process as encountering the parts of ourselves that live in the shadows. This is the essence of inner work: repeatedly going within and returning to the world with newfound understanding and compassion.
The Healing Power of Mindfulness
Mindfulness teaches us the concept of "enoughness"—that it is enough to be present with what is. By doing the inner work, we begin to heal what hinders us from believing we are enough. James Finley refers to this process as "mystical sobriety," waking up to the mystery of who we are. Moments of fear, loss, sorrow, and darkness are temporary and can be transformed through presence and love.
The Metaphor of the Beach
Think of joy as a day at the beach. Some people stay in their cars, some walk along the boardwalk, some swim close to shore, and others dive deep into the ocean. Just like these beachgoers, we are all at different stages of our journey. Some of us are just beginning to explore our depths, while others are diving deep into the ocean of our being. It’s essential to trust the right guides and take the journey at our own pace.
Let's dive deeper into this metaphor:
Parking Lot Planners: Some people remain in their cars, observing the scene. They plan their approach, deciding how and where to settle, akin to those of us still contemplating the journey inward.
Boardwalk Wanderers: Others stroll along the boardwalk, taking in the sights and sounds from a distance, much like those who are starting to explore their inner landscape but have not yet ventured deep.
Beach Loungers: People sitting under umbrellas or on beach towels, soaking up the sun. They are comfortable but still on the surface, similar to individuals who enjoy the superficial aspects of life and avoid deeper emotional engagement.
Shallow Swimmers: These folks are in the water but stay close to shore, enjoying the gentle waves. They represent those beginning to engage with their emotions and experiences but are not yet ready to dive deeper.
Active Adventurers: Some are paddleboarding, kayaking, or playing beach sports. These people actively explore their surroundings, much like those who engage in regular mindfulness and meditation practices, balancing the outer and inner worlds.
Snorkelers and Scuba Divers: These individuals go beneath the surface, exploring the underwater world. They symbolize those who delve deeper into their consciousness, facing their fears, and uncovering hidden aspects of themselves.
Deep Sea Explorers: Farther out, some brave souls are deep-sea diving, exploring the ocean's depths. They represent individuals who have committed to profound inner work, facing deep wounds and emotions to uncover true, enduring joy.
Submersible Voyagers: Finally, there are those who venture deep into trauma, both their own and possibly that of others, much like explorers diving into the ocean's depths in a submersible to visit the Titanic wreck. This profound level of exploration requires expert guidance and trust, and having a skilled guide to ensure your return. It symbolizes the necessity for careful and supportive facilitation when delving into deep inner work, ensuring a safe and transformative journey through the wreckage of past trauma.
The Role of Mercy in Joy
James Finley teaches that when we touch the pain within us, we cultivate mercy—defined as forgiveness and compassion. This act of being present with our pain transforms it, allowing us to bring mercy out into the world. This cyclical process of inner exploration and outward expression is how we cultivate timeless joy.
Conclusion: Embracing Inner Joy
As we continue to explore the theme of joy this July, I invite you to reflect on your own journey. Outer joy is wonderful, but true, eternal joy comes from within. By practicing mindfulness and meditation, we set aside time for a rendezvous with ourselves, without any agenda but love. In this space, we find the joy that no external circumstance can take away.
Check out our classes this month at the Innerwork Center. We're here to support you in creating a habitual pattern of inner work, helping you cultivate the wholeness and joy that come from within.
Warm regards,
Yedda Stancil
About Yedda
Through dedicated inner work, Yedda has learned to fearlessly forge a joy-filled life. Now, as the Executive Director of the Innerwork Center, she is passionate about helping others embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and fulfillment. Her unique blend of corporate leadership, community health expertise, and deep spiritual practice equips her to guide individuals and organizations toward growth, well-being, and a sense of purpose. Yedda’s approach integrates mindfulness, behavior change, and leadership development, creating environments where personal and communal transformation can flourish. She is excited to share the insights and strategies that have transformed her life, inspiring others to embrace their worth and live fully in the present moment. She brings rich tapestry of experience that spans corporate leadership, community health, and transformative engagement. Her vision for the Center encapsulates not only a deep understanding of organizational dynamics but also embraces the sacredness of space—where wisdom and spirituality are as valued as empirical knowledge. This unique blend allows her to craft strategies that honor both the known and the unknown, creating a nurturing atmosphere that encourages exploration and innovation. Yedda’s leadership is set to inspire and uplift, guiding the Innerwork Center towards new horizons of impact and inclusivity, embodying a commitment to both personal and community belonging.