Joy: The Second Shakti

This fall we’re diving into Tantric Yoga philosophy as applied to modern life. Even if you’re not a “yoga person” you may find that this philosophy has something to offer… come along for the ride. Last week we started our discussion of the five shaktis - innate powers we all have. We continue this week.

I once witnessed a profound transformation in a student.  I was assisting a workshop and a regular student attended.  This student was a lovely woman.  She was often reserved and respectful.  But at times she seemed pinched, narrow, stressed, or depressed.  When she attended the workshop she came in with her same bound up body, hunched shoulders, and distant eyes.

Then she practiced.  And she learned the philosophy that went with the practice.  She played in her practice and connected with the other students in the room.

At the end of the class, she was a new woman.  Her eyes were bright and radiant.  Her step was free.  When she spoke I felt the delight cascading through her whole body.  It was like she was lit up from the inside out.  I could tell something had cracked open.  

It was obvious, this dear woman was filled with joy! 

Unconditional Joy

JOY.  Wouldn’t we all love more joy in our lives?  Certainly.  It would be nice to experience what the NST yogi’s called: Ananda.  

Ananda means: Joy, Unconditional Happiness or Bliss.  And it is the next universal power we’ll turn our attention towards.

In the yogic literature, Ananda is something more than ordinary moments of amusement, humor, or enjoyment, though it is present in such moments.  Ananda is all-pervasive and ever-present.  Ananda is causeless.  No situation or circumstance brings on Ananda.  Ananda exists.  

Ananda Shakti is the power to experience unconditional bliss at any moment.  It is a universal power and it is an individual experience we can all have. 

On the Absolute level, the Universe is always pulsing with delight, ecstasy, and unconditional happiness.  This playful joy gives rise to all of creation.  That is, Chiti makes all of everything because it delights her to do so.

Conditional Joy

In our individual lives we don’t experience much unconditional joy.  We’re much more awake to conditioned joy, which is not a bad thing.  Tasting delight when you stretch in the sunshine or smell your favorite food is a way to recognize the possibility of deepening experiences of Ananda.  In fact, there are entire paths of practice which are entirely build around pleasure as a way to know the Universe. 

The important thing to remember is you always have the capacity to experience Ananda.  Your happiness when you see a child’s smile can only happen because you have the power of joy: Ananda Shakti.  Even in moments of deep grief Ananda is possible if you’re open to it. 

But not TOO much

Unfortunately, a lot of us are very guarded against joy.  The puritanical roots of our culture keep us working hard and never risking having fun along the way.  I’ve had many conversations with folks in my life-coaching practice who believe that feeling joyful is not ok.  We’ve learned that too much delight is a bad thing.  Therefore, many folks shut themselves down when they start feeling much happiness.  They stop trusting it and start looking for what’s gonna go wrong.

In NST that’s considered a misunderstanding of our innate Shakti.  The thing is, the Shakti is already here.  You are literally wired for joy, bliss, ecstasy, delight.  You are wired for joy to come from the inside and radiate out of you.  You already have the power of joy inside of you.  You can’t turn it off.    

It’s Right Here

From this view, the task isn’t so much to go out searching for joy.  It’s instead to open to what’s right here - this very moment - enter in so completely that you become enraptured.  Your rapture happens because of the power of joy that’s already within you.  The more clearly you see the world.  The more clearly you enter into relationship with it -the more Ananda you will experience.

Going back to the student in the workshop, I really believe she had a momentary taste of Ananda that day.  The power of joy opened her physically, emotionally, spiritually.  It was a blessing to witness her transformation.  It’s possible for all of us.

Joy’s already here.  Give yourself permission to find it, ‘cause that’s when the fun starts.