True Nature of Joy

 

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True Nature of Joy

The true nature of joy is not found in external achievements, possessions, or fleeting pleasures but in the profound stillness of the present moment. When we live in the void, fully immersed in the now, we experience joy that is unshaken by circumstances. This joy is not dependent on the past or the future; it arises from the simple awareness of being, from surrendering to the infinite silence that exists beyond the mind’s constant chatter. The void is not emptiness in the way the mind perceives it - it is a vast, boundless space of existence, where true joy resides.

Most people search for happiness outside of themselves, believing it can be attained through relationships, success, or sensory pleasures. However, these sources of happiness are temporary and fragile, constantly changing and slipping away with time. The joy that arises from living in the void is not subject to such fluctuations. It is an ever-present state, independent of external factors. It is not something to be achieved but something that is already within us, waiting to be uncovered.

To live in the void means to exist without resistance, without attachment to thoughts, emotions, or identities. The mind is always grasping - seeking control, labelling experiences, and projecting expectations. This mental activity keeps us trapped in a cycle of desire and dissatisfaction. True joy emerges when we drop this struggle and rest in the present moment, accepting whatever is without judgment. In this space of total presence, we realise that nothing is missing, nothing needs to be changed. There is a deep, abiding peace that naturally gives rise to joy.

The void is not a place of numbness or absence; rather, it is full of life, full of presence. When we allow ourselves to settle into this vast openness, we feel an indescribable lightness, as if all burdens have been lifted. This is the joy of being - pure, untainted, and eternal. It is the same joy that sages and mystics have described throughout history, a joy that is beyond excitement or pleasure, beyond any temporary high. It is the bliss of simply existing, of being one with all that is.

Meditation is the gateway to experiencing this true joy. When we sit in stillness, letting go of thoughts and expectations, we gradually enter the void. At first, the mind resists, fearing the loss of its habitual distractions. But as we surrender, a new awareness emerges - one that is free, expansive, and deeply joyful. In this state, we are no longer bound by past regrets or future anxieties. We become fully alive in the now, where the essence of joy is always present.

This joy is unconditional because it is not based on external events. It does not arise from having something or being someone; it simply is. When we stop looking outside for happiness, we discover an inner joy that has always been there, hidden beneath layers of mind-created suffering. It is like the sky - always vast and open, even when clouds temporarily obscure it.

Living in the void, fully in the present moment, transforms the way we experience life. We no longer seek fulfilment in the future or cling to the past. We embrace what is, finding beauty in each breath, in each experience, no matter how simple. This is the highest form of joy - one that cannot be lost, because it does not rely on anything outside of us. It is the joy of existence itself, the joy of being fully present, completely free, and one with the infinite.