“Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.”
         – Leon Bloy

Joy is one of the “side effects” most people experience from practicing Intuition Medicin. It is the result of peeling away the “layers of the onion” and discovering our spiritual self. Author Iyanla Vanzant, in One Day My Soul Just Opened Up provides a great discussion of joy as it relates to our spiritual life.

According to Vanzant, joy and happiness are often thought of as the same thing, but they are very different. Joy is an internal process grounded in spiritual truth. It is about having faith in the wisdom of the Divine, your God, or whatever you perceive as your higher power. Joy is an emotional feeling that occurs in response to spiritual inspiration. Joy is a state of being that stays with you no matter where you are and what is going on.

Happiness, on the other hand, is a more temporary feeling. It is a mental and emotional response to some immediate external stimulation. Happiness, which is usually based on something physical and tangible, can come and go from moment to moment.

“The benefit of cultivating joy,” according to the author, “is that no matter where you are it stays with you. It is not reliant upon any outside factors. Does it mean you will be smiling all the time? No. Does it mean you will feel good all the time? No. Does it mean you will never again experience a moment of fear, doubt, shame, or loneliness?” Absolutely not. “It means that when you’re challenged by these emotions, you will have the spiritual strength created by joy that nothing and no one can take from you.”
• Joy is a state of being.
• Joy is spiritually inspired.
• Joy begins within.
• Joy is not dependent on people or circumstances.
• Joy has a lasting effect.

So, meditate and be joyful!

[ Susie Laurenson-Shipley is a business executive, psychotherapist, Intuition Medicine practitioner and Academy faculty member. ]

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