The Growth of Joy: The Growth Indicators of Meditators
Joy, in its truest form, begins to grow when you delve deeper into meditation. This joy isn’t tied to external circumstances. It’s not the fleeting happiness you feel when you achieve something or fulfill a desire—like meeting someone special, buying a new house, or earning money. Those joys, though beautiful, are momentary. They come with a cause, and when the cause fades, so does the joy, often leaving behind a sense of emptiness or sadness.
But there’s a different kind of joy—a profound, unshakable joy. One that emerges without any reason at all.
It’s the kind of joy that simply exists. If someone asks you, “Why are you so joyous?” you may find yourself unable to explain. There’s no external trigger, no event to attribute it to. It’s just there—a radiance within, steady and unbroken.
This joy doesn’t depend on the ups and downs of life. It doesn’t waver with success or failure, youth or old age, even life or death. It becomes your constant companion, a sure sign that you’re coming closer to a deeper truth—a state of Buddhahood.
Self-Inquiry Questions for Reflection:
- When was the last time I felt joy that wasn’t tied to a specific cause?
- Do I notice moments of inner contentment even amidst challenges?
- How can I nurture a joy that isn’t dependent on external factors?
- What does uninterrupted joy feel like to me?
- Am I measuring my growth in meditation through the expansion of this causeless joy?
Let your meditation guide you toward this unwavering joy—a joy that becomes the essence of who you are.