Law number six of the 7 Laws of Enough is “Joy is Available.” The chapter opens with an essential question: “How does joy live in me?”

In the language of Buddhist text this concept is called Mudita. It’s one of those words that is difficult to translate well. The word has been translated as satisfied and as a gladdening of the heart. In Buddhist practice, it is one of the four Brahma Viharas and has been spoken of as sympathetic joy or appreciative joy. There is also delight and rejoicing that are part of the experience we are exploring this concept. Ultimately, the intention is to have an abounding radiating heart of joy for others’ wellbeing and good fortune. Whatever we call it, this is how we’re going to spend our time for the next three months together and I’d like you to join us.

In East Asian philosophies and religious traditions, they speak about the 10,000 joys and the 10,000 sorrows, acknowledging that life is full of both happiness and suffering. Over the next three months, as a community, I had the idea that we would note the “10,000” joys that are available to us day in and day out: A remembering that there are more than just 10,000 sorrows in the world, there is power in training to attend to the joys that accompany our sorrows.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk, writer, and activist reminds us,

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it. When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment, our understanding of what is going on deepens, and we begin to be filled with acceptance, joy, peace, and love.” 

I offer you the following practice to consider:

1. Create a space to capture your experiences – A sheet of paper or a space in a journal or notebook or a note on your phone and label it “10,000 Joys.”
2. After formal practice – Take a moment to write down the joys that were available during meditation.
3. Out in the world – As you move about your life, pause regularly to notice if joy is present and your experience of joy.  Note it on your 10,000 joys page. 
4. Potential Pitfall – The intention is that you are focusing on joys in the moment and not focusing on joys that happened in the past so that you can cultivate present moment awareness. 

As we move through this practice as a community, may we not only answer the question of how joy lives in me but also how we cultivate a heart of joy that radiates and appreciates good fortune for all beings.