The Wisdom of Joy

… Cosmic essence affirms joy in the human heart, and in the heart of Cosmos, and in the heart of an Arhat. To the Bearer of the sacred pledge of the future We send Our Might for the completion of the earthly path. (Agni Yoga Series — Infinity I § 85)

About joy, Enzio Savoini, an enlightened thinker of our time, suggested this meaningful reflection:

Characteristic of joy is radiance. It is not gladness, which is quiet and intimate, it is not yet bliss, which is supreme and indifferent. Joy communicates, transmits, enlightens, overwhelms. The rays cast into Space the penetrating joy of divine Intelligence. Nature, surrounded and touched by those rays, is pervaded with joy: that is why plants and herbs flourish, minerals crystallise and sea and sky smile. The joy of life sings in puppies, in children, … and in the hearts of the old, if they have lived well. …

Light is supreme Intelligence, it is magnetic Love and it is Joy. To be in the Light for man is to say: “I am in Joy”. And man has many things that distract him from the Light, and the more he is distracted, the less is his Joy. But plants, says the Master of Agni Yoga, bloom in Joy. And when we read it, perhaps we all took it for a beautiful poetic image, whereas it was a profound scientific and rigorous definition… (E. Savoini, Lecture notes and commentary — Theory of Light I, unpublished paper)

Sandro Botticelli – Spring | Uffizi Galleries – Florence

.

Urusvati knows that even during difficult days joy generates power… 
Man possesses the great gift of cognizing joy… From the far-off worlds down to the smallest flower joy offers herself to people. A new supply of strength comes to you every time you allow yourself to be joyous, for there is an intensity in joy that opens the next gate… 
But a wise hero knows that even at the hour of persecution the path to joy is not closed… sparks of joy shine forever. 
Our life is long and We can confirm that joy is never forgotten and is an unending source of power. Blessed are those who are able to take their joy into the Subtle World.
When We say, “Joy hastens”, it really is approaching. But often people are unable to notice joy, for they have bound themselves by deliberate suggestion. Thus joy loses its power. Look everywhere, and gather all the sparks of joy.
The Thinker taught, “Know how to recognize joy. Among the Muses there is the Muse of Joy, but you can invite this Protectress only by beautiful words and thoughts… She comes only by the path of Beauty.” (Supermundane I § 231)

The Muse Thalia | Pitti Palace – Florence

.

The Muse Thalia, the one who is festive, by offering her gift, expands the luminous wisdom of Joy on the waves of Love.
Thàlia* (ancient Greek: Θάλεια, Tháleia) means, “feast” and in its etymon refers to that which “grows” and “develops” in abundance and splendour.

In this regard, the Heavens of Causes today offer us the opportunity to celebrate a luminous event: the heliocentric alignment between our beloved Earth and the asteroid/Muse Thalia in the space conditioned by the energy of Capricorn, the Gate of the Gods, the Sign considered to be the pathway of the ascent of souls towards their celestial abode, as well as that symbolic place where detachment from matter takes on the appearance of initiation. For the age of Aquarius, this is the main constellation transmitting the 7^th Ray that promotes initiation and the defeat of materialism.

On the day that sees all planetary energies placed at the service of the conscious realisation of Spiritual Life, let us celebrate with united breath and unified rhythm that meeting, invoking this Teacher of wisdom to awaken the hearts of human beings to the intelligent Love of Joy and inspire in them the expressions of that “special wisdom” which dispenses Harmony, Beauty and the Art of Living.

If the work of man is harmonious, and seeks the celestial consonances, it kindles fires in Space and co-operates with Cosmos. Beauty is a form not of Space but of Fire. Thus Space and Fire, united, reproduce in consciousness the Meaning (i.e. the Tao) which has generated them.
… In order to build in a heavenly manner, all gestures, thoughts, impulses, motives must agree with each other and with the universal goal. In this case, surely, the work born of man’s hands, be it tiny, be it monumental, is durable, and acts in Space with the constructive power of its fire. In this case, divinely, its author … prepares, cultivates, composes forms of joy destined for opportune times. […]. (Enzio Savoini  Harmonics – freely commented translation of the book by Hans Kayser)

Urusvati knows that illumination that comes through joy and love is stronger than any insight that comes through suffering. Yet, people insist that it is suffering that purifies humanity.
Why is it that man is not capable of utilizing the higher path to illumination? The answer is simple—suffering is sown by man himself in the earthly world, and it partially penetrates into the Subtle World. But pure joy and love live in the Fiery World… During the coming evolution people will realize where their treasure lies, and will turn to this panacea of light…
One must strive ardently toward the renewal of life. Everyone can think of heroism, of joy, and of exalted love. Everyone can gain the power of the healing remedy and spread these emanations in every direction.
The Thinker said, “Sorrow is transitory, joy is everlasting. Love the Light and love the Beautiful”. Thus did the Thinker direct His disciples to the simplest solution. (Supermundane IV § 732)

As Helena Roerich wrote, man, when he achieves equilibrium, … is able to act consciously and simultaneously on three planes—earthly, subtle, and spiritual or mental. With such an expanded existence, with such an illumined consciousness, life becomes full of meaning, beauty, and a special joyous wisdom. A broadened consciousness points out to us the paths of evolution, the paths of the future, and our mind gives humble gratitude to the grandeur and wisdom of the One Law of Love, which is expressed on Earth as the law of karma…

Even during the difficult days you know that strength issues from joy. I said long ago that “joy is a special wisdom”. Verily so, because joy must be observed, discerned, and realized. Depressed people carry a cloud of miseries and woes. In this dark covering they cannot perceive joy… Discontent, malice, irritation cut off the path to joy… Egoism whispered, Joy lies only in personal gain. Thus the most fruitful joy was hidden behind ugly piles of depression. …
Man possesses the highest gift—to know joy. … From the far-off worlds to the tiniest flower everything offers joy to people. …
But a wise hero, even at the hour of persecution, knows that the path to joy is not closed. … The sparks of joy glow forever. Through Our long lives We can confirm that joy is unforgettable and serves as an influx of strength. Happy are those in the Subtle World who can affirm joy. When We say, “Joy is hastening”, it is verily near. … Look around broadly and gather all the flames of joy. (Freely taken from the Letters of Helena Roerich vol. II – 7 October 35 | 7 May 1938)

In the Teachings of the Tibetan Master it is stated:
We stand today on the verge of great things.  Humanity is on its way with renewed impetus. It stands no longer at the crossroads, but irrevocable decisions have been made, and the race is moving forward along a path which will lead it eventually into light and peace. It will find its way into “the peace which passeth understanding” because it will be a peace which is independent of outer conditions and which is not based upon what present humanity defines as peace. The peace which lies ahead of the race is the peace of serenity and of joy—a serenity, based upon spiritual understanding; and a joy which is untouched by circumstances. This joy and serenity is not an astral condition but a soul reaction. These qualities are not achieved as the result of disciplining the emotional nature, but demonstrate as a natural, automatic reaction of the soul. This is the reward of a definitely achieved alignment. These two qualities of the soul—serenity and joy—are the indications that the soul, the ego, the One Who stands alone, is controlling or dominating the personality, circumstance, and all environing conditions of life in the three worlds. (Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Psychology II, p. 200)

… The Agni Yogi, who sacrifices the lesser self, puts all his mental power into assisting the evolutionary impulse. He accepts the spiral, that is, he accepts never to return to the same ‘place’; he is in perpetual, regular motion; he is an eternal celestial nomad. He does not live for himself, but only to execute higher wills – thus it co-operates with the Universe. Moving forward in spiral lines it copies planetary, solar, stellar motion. He is free, flowing in Space, yet focused on service. He is active and yet indifferent. He provokes events and does not bear the burden of them. He realises Being and suffuses Space with joy. (E. Savoini, Commentary to Infinity II § 101 | 102 | 103 | 104)

Verily, the space rings with joy when the foundations of Be-ness are being proclaimed. Cosmic Right is asserted in the realization of the affirmation of cosmic law, and the joy of Be-ness fills the space. Thus, the Law of the Lords creates the current of a new life. Hence, I will say that Cosmic Right is garbed in the radiance of cosmic manifestation.
The perfecting of the forms is directed to the highest manifestation through the drive of the energies. The same law pertains to the striving of the spirit. The attraction of the spirit to the creative manifestation is imbued with the striving of the will. The fiery transmutation is expressed in the progress of all manifested centers. Hence, when the will of the spirit is transmuted, the law of progress acts in its spiral. This spiral progress then proceeds in all dimensions. When the spirit can complete the round of life, rising above the point of its beginning, then verily the spirit has attained the striving which will affirm it in the direction of the Cosmic Will. Thus, Cosmic Will governs each progress into the Infinite. (Infinity II § 106-107)

Streams of joy fill the ocean
of the Creator’s Thought.
And you, pouring drops of joy into the human soul,
bring offerings to the Creator of the Worlds.
Enlightenment will never end.
Learn by teaching others.
You were not mistaken in expounding joy.
Each tree blooms in joy;
But when shedding its leaves, it grieves not,
remembering the coming spring.
(Leaves of Morya’s Garden I § 251)

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

* Thalia (Asteroid 23): The asteroid Thalia was discovered on 15 December 1852 transiting in the Sign of Taurus (bearer of Strength and Joy) and has an orbital period of 4.26 years.
Thalia in Greek mythology presides over comedy; but she is also associated with the severest satire, the art of divergence, wit, the joy of detachment brought by intelligent irony, and the refinement of intelligence and skill.