Returning to the Joy Within
Joy is not the same as happiness. It is not dependent on outcomes, moods, or accomplishments. It is not conditional. Joy is a steady presence, already within us, waiting to be recognized. In moments of loss, hardship, or uncertainty, joy can still be found—not as an escape from pain, but as a deeper awareness of what has been gifted to us just by being alive.
Joy as embodied presence is an abiding awareness of the gift given to each and every one of us, no matter our circumstances in life.
Joy does not arrive from the outside. It emerges from surrendering the illusion that life revolves around the individual self. From infancy, the structure of self is built with the belief that life is about personal security, comfort, and achievement. But this scaffolding was never meant to be permanent. True joy comes through the gradual deconstruction of the egoic center and the awakening to something far more enduring. Joy is not based in conditions; it is based in awareness. Even in pain, limitation, or loss, joy can still be present.
Affirmation
Joy is already present in me. I release the belief that joy is earned or found elsewhere. I choose joy, again and again.
Spiritual Practice
Find a quiet space and sit in stillness. With each breath, become aware of the space within your body that feels most at ease. Stay with that place. Allow your attention to rest there. If distractions come, let them pass without judgment.
Now bring your awareness to a moment in your life that felt whole—not necessarily happy, but real, grounded, and awake. Let that memory settle into your body. Notice what it feels like. Stay present to it without needing to change it.
As your mind slows, gently allow yourself to enter deeper silence. Let go of effort. Rest in the awareness that joy is not something you must find—it is something you remember.
Remain here in silence as long as you need.
Guiding Questions (Journaling Prompts)
When have I mistaken happiness for joy?
What experiences or patterns reinforce the belief that life is about me?
How do I relate to the idea of surrender?
What supports me in relinquishing ego’s grip?
What does joy feel like in my body when I am most grounded and aware?
Action Step
Today, notice one moment that invites joy—not excitement, not satisfaction, but simple, rooted joy. Pause and acknowledge it fully. Write it down. Let it be your reminder that joy is always available, even in ordinary circumstances.
Closing Invitation
The deeper joy you seek is already within you. It does not depend on your worthiness, your plans, or your success. Let the inner scaffolding fall away gently over time. Return to the quiet center of your being, again and again, until joy is no longer a destination—but your home.
@Amanda Knotts Robert is a friend of mime