Unconditional Joy
In this episode, I explore the concept of unconditional joy, drawing inspiration from a Zen koan about a blind man's perception of Bankei's sincerity. I discuss how our joy often becomes conditional, tied to our approval of another's circumstances, and how this can lead to a missed opportunity for genuine connection. Through personal reflection on my own experiences with social disapproval and observing others' reactions to life events like baptisms, I highlight the importance of introspection to uncover our own mental conditioning that blocks this natural joy. The key takeaway is to ask, "What did it take for this moment to arise?" for others, which fosters empathy and allows us to access a deeper, more natural sense of shared joy and compassion, rather than being the one who misses out. This practice of looking inward can help us cultivate unconditional joy, which is always present but often hidden by our own judgments and beliefs.
