Finding Joy In Others

If you have trouble connecting to the Source of Joy within you, try looking for it in other people. Joy arises spontaneously from a close connection between individual manifestations of Spirit. With those who are closest to you, sense the deep connection that underlies your separateness. But do not limit your awareness to your immediate loved ones. The same connection exists between you and every other being. Start by becoming mindful of the way you greet people when you meet them - whther they are friends or strangers. Are you open and welcoming? Do you accept the ego vulnerability that comes from exposing your true nature to the gaze of others? Or are you closed and protective of your thoughts and feelings? In order to connect to the network of Joy that is Spirit, you must be prepared to allow others within your walls, if not to tear down those walls altogether. 

Connection is most easily established through the eyes and the touch. Begin by looking each person directly in the eyes when you are with them. Smile and offer them your hand or a hug, as appropriate under the circumstances. There are few circumstances in which a handshake is inappropriate! Once you have established a physical connection in this manner, remain open and, by your manner, encourage others to open themselves to you. You will find that the more open the lines of communication are, the more easily the Joy of Spirit arises and flows between you. What's more, the flow of Spirit cannot be contained once it begins; it soon reaches out to embrace others around you, until a whole group of people may become united by a healing sense of personal warmth and goodwill. Try this the next time you meet a group of people in a public place.