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Post by thecrystalmaiden on Aug 31, 2005 3:05:27 GMT -5
As a request from djgirlCherise -
What are some of your most joyous experiences, and how do they relate to your spirituality? Spirituality is the pursuit of a greater love, in a sense, and joy is a direct offshoot of love. How does it affect your life?
Here's some of the most joyous stuff that's happened to me:
One day I was sitting in my back yard. Two butterflies came and began to dance around me, I think they might have been trying to mate or something, but they did circles around me as I sat under a tree in my back yard and I just felt the most overwhelming sensation of peace and joy. It was such a small thing, yet so special, you know?
Also, there was this time I saw this kid leaning on a window pane in a fast food restaurant. He looked REALLY bored, the poor guy was maybe 6 and obviously didn't want to be there. I caught he attention when he looked up and waved at him, then gave him a big grin and mouthed to word "Smile!" His face lit up and he waved enerjectically at me, then he ran off for a second... then he returned to continue waving and smiling. The happiness I saw in him made me so warm and fuzzy inside - that was also a really cool moment.
Your turn! =)
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Post by Uriah on Aug 31, 2005 3:34:26 GMT -5
When I think of joyous experiences in my life I always think of my prom night. I went with a good friend of mine. I was very nervous because I never really danced much in my life but I eventually relaxed and let go. It wasn't the actual occasion or circumstance it's what happened when I let go and allowed love to flow through me. Nothing mattered except for what I was doing right then at that moment. I was peaceful. I then began to notice the energy we gave off and saw if effect others. The dance floor was mostly empty when we first went out and it began filling up. I was so full of joy I never wanted to stop what I was doing. The peace love joy and energy of it all was awesome!
Another time I was at a music festival (music and dancing again). I was right next to the stage, 5 ft from the musicians. Again it was the letting go that did it and I felt the energy or more the peace of everyone. We were packed shoulder to shoulder and everyone was dancing. The joy was amazing and beautiful and the group of people, we fed off of each others energy. Completely blissful experience eventhough my left ear had ringing in it for the next 2 days! ^_^
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Post by djgirlcherise on Sept 1, 2005 14:23:27 GMT -5
I love music, Uriah! Reggae make me feel IRIE!
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Post by thecrystalmaiden on Sept 1, 2005 21:36:41 GMT -5
Uriah, that sounds awesome! Music has such a way of setting an atomsphere that can make people so much less self-conscious. I'm really glad you found it in yourself to let go - really cool! =)
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Post by Kivawolfspeaker on Sept 1, 2005 21:45:11 GMT -5
Music is my first love. I'll listen to just about any kind of music that I can related to, and is well done.
Kiva
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Post by luz18 on Sept 1, 2005 23:15:38 GMT -5
Same here.. my joy is my music. It's the one thing I rely on when everything else goes wrong... atleast i have my music. Just listening to the right song can lift my mood in a nano-second :-) Also, singing is my joy... making people happy and touching them in a special way with music is an unbelievable experience.
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Post by thecrystalmaiden on Sept 1, 2005 23:28:24 GMT -5
I think what Cheris was wondering about was any specific occurrences you can remember that brought you joy and happiness and how they affect you spiritually... music is my joy too, but there's lots of moments in my life where I've felt joy over other things. Does anyone have any stories?
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Post by luz18 on Sept 2, 2005 0:45:13 GMT -5
Sorry, I guess I was reading too quickly and misunderstood the question. I have a story.... It was about three or two years ago.... I was sitting in the bomb shelter (where I have drum lessons in my school) with my drum teacher, who is a Star Person. Instead of playing drums that day, we sat on the floor and did some energy exercises and meditation. We were just sitting there face to face and palm to palm, and I could literally feel the love and energy radiate off him, going into me.. we were exchanging this energy. I'm no- where near as strong as he is... he's a pure energy conduit... but I experienced that moment of joy... just feeling so loved and secure and so in tune with everything that I wanted to cry... I left the bomb shelter beaming, and I had a smile on my face that day until I went to sleep.
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Post by luz18 on Sept 2, 2005 0:50:14 GMT -5
Ooops.... left something out. lol. This experience has affected me very deeply in my spiritual life, because he was a great contributer to my spiritual learning, and recommended a lot of books, gave me great advice.... he just about helped me mold into the person I am today. Some of the things he's taught me has helped me advance more in my spiritual path too.... He truly is an earth angel.
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Post by cherise on Sept 2, 2005 3:57:29 GMT -5
Hello Luz 18,
Fantastic joy story! Have you contacted him lately?
Hello Kiva,
Can you describe a specific moment(s) you felt intense joy?
Hello Beautifully Named Uriah,
I deejayed tonight and just got home. I know exactly of which you speak. My close to 60-year-old parents are visiting right now from Winnipeg, and I'm pooped. However, I didn't show it in my two sets, and the crowd danced. It was fleeting, but there were great energy exchanges. Do you ever think about becoming a dj?
Hello Crystal Maiden,
Thank-you from all my heart for starting this topic. I anticipate your vibrant and thoughtful responses every day. Seeings how I'm a newbie here, thank-you for letting me in. Will you please continue to encourage others to keep writing here. It's hard to describe how much I appreciate it.
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Post by gemma on Sept 2, 2005 12:27:51 GMT -5
So... I was searching after moments of joy in my life. I did search all day long. I've found nothing.
And for 5 minutes something very sad happened.
My dog found something in the grass. I shouted at her to spit it out. She did and when I went there, I found a little, dying bird. She was so overwhelmed with fear. I tried to call St. Michael I wanted to heal the little bird, to give her strength. But when I finished my prayer, I saw the little head of the bird hanging lifelessly. I didn't want to believe it. But it was true... she died in my hand.
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Post by thecrystalmaiden on Sept 2, 2005 13:48:15 GMT -5
Luz-
Your drum teacher sounds like an amazing person, I wish I could meet him! I took drum lessons for a while with a college guy (he was actually very good) but other than me also being his favorite student, we didn't have that much else in common. He just liked me because I was good and could sight read well, haha. That energy you felt with him is really awesome, I've experienced similar but never shared it with anyone. That's beautiful. ^_^
Cherise - you're very welcome! =) And honestly, we're all newbies here, the forum only got started a couple of months ago. I'm happy to help you out.
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Post by shepardess on Sept 5, 2005 15:52:39 GMT -5
My earliest moment of joy or total peace was when I was eight years old. We lived in safer times and I was allowed to spend much time alone after school when my parents weren't home. One of these days I came in the house and there were these intencly angled sunbeams shining into the living room. I layed down on the floor and watched the thousands of dust particles dance in the air. I don't know how long I stayed like that but that was the first memory I have of truely being in the present. Most of my memories of joy can be equated to being totally in the moment. As Uriah talked about, dancing brings a person to a total state of prescence. I love dancing and do it all the time with total abandon.
The other memory I have of joy may be hard to describe in total detail, as much of what was experienced was more of a feeling. I was at the Kerrville Folk Festival, which is an awesome scene of love and understanding and creativity. Something was wrong with the scene that year though, there was tenseness and many disagreeable experiences. The highlight of the bad expeirences was with a man we knew who had been in a fight with his wife and had been drinking all day. We hadn't seen him for about twelve hours when we found him creepily staring at us from a short distance and when we called to him he paniced and ran away really weirdly. He was already a much lower vibrational person as it was, but my fiance and I were really upset by the energy he was throwing our way. We decided to walk around to try and kick the very negative energy he had just tainted us with. We stopped at the bathrooms which are really yucky out houses whith hardly any barrier between stalls. On one side of me was a little 4-5 year old girl so innocently singing a song she had made up her self. She was obviously fininshed with the bathroom but too distracted with her own creativity to remember to leave the bathroom stall. On the other side of me were two other very little girls whispering secrets to each other. The little girl sitting down said in a very secretive voice "do you know what I saw the other day?" And the other replied excitedly "what?" The first girl paused as if making sure that know one else would hear her secret and said "A Tent" "No way," said the other "what color was it?" "Yellow!" And they both gasped and explained to each other how much they wanted to see the yellow tent again.
I left the dingy stall almost in tears relizing for the first time, so intensely, how foolish it was for me to worry about negative energies and people who were mean to me when the where "yellow tents" in the world. I came out and retold what I had experienced to my fiance and he wiped his eyes and we shared one of the most healing and loving moments of our relationship, kissing and holding each other and forgiving and apologizing for past indiscretions on a field at night amongs Hula-Hoopers and music and children running all about twirling glowing neclaces.
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Post by shepardess on Sept 5, 2005 17:00:19 GMT -5
So... I was searching after moments of joy in my life. I did search all day long. I've found nothing. And for 5 minutes something very sad happened. My dog found something in the grass. I shouted at her to spit it out. She did and when I went there, I found a little, dying bird. She was so overwhelmed with fear. I tried to call St. Michael I wanted to heal the little bird, to give her strength. But when I finished my prayer, I saw the little head of the bird hanging lifelessly. I didn't want to believe it. But it was true... she died in my hand. I have experienced the same thing and it feels miserable. It doesn't sound like much but it is. I've seen a few of your posts Gemma where you stated that you could not think of any moments of joy and wanted to give some of the information I have learned about finding joy. I understand that at different points in an indigo's life they may feel moments or months of desperation, but I thought you wouldn't mind some tips on how to bring joy to your life. A few months ago I had a big falling out with friend of mine who was very important to me and I spiraled down into a pretty deep depression. At the same time there were some pretty intense energies circulating on the planet that further intensified this experience. I was driving home from my studio one day feeling very sorry for my self and my isolation and said something like "there's no real magic in the world" when I realized what a self-fulfilling truth that was. Wasn't the very fact that I was alive magic, wasn't this very breath and all the love I have felt and have given magic. Was it not just my perspective of magic that was lacking, not magic itself? What I am saying , and of course you have heard this before, is that You may need to change your definition of joy before you will be able to find joy. I have found that very few of my joyous moments come from other individuals, I have shared them with others or unexpectedly found strength from others. But rarely have these moments of joy been given to me. A person must learn that the only person who can bring one's self joy is one's self and god. I would suggest you practice little joy exercises. Stop whatever you are doing now and close your eyes, focus on nothing but your breath. Breath deeply and feel the air fill you lungs and move into your blood stream. With each breath inward say to your self, "I am loved" and with each breath out recognize your connection to god. Fill your lungs with the joy that comes from knowing you are loved. Only be aware of those things that are occurring this very moment. Do this for one minute. I would suggest some kind of exercise like this done daily until you really feel a sense of joy. Once you see what I am talking about you may find that you can now remember many other experiences in your life that were joy-ridden. I hope this helps, it made me so sad to hear you say you could not remember any times of joy. Good luck
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Post by Uriah on Sept 6, 2005 8:22:17 GMT -5
Shepardess, that's good advice I think I'll try it too.
Cherise, I haven't thought about being a dj. I've thought about being many things but not that. Why do you ask?
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Post by gemma on Sept 6, 2005 12:32:51 GMT -5
I'll also try your advice, thank for it.
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Post by djgirlcherise on Sept 6, 2005 13:10:02 GMT -5
Hiya Uriah,
I asked because you described both your joy moments as being directly related to music, it's effect on your body, and it's effect on the people you were surrounded by. Music is more powerful than religion to educate and move the masses. Imagine yourself affecting people with your selection of lyrics, bass lines, guitar, organ, brass, or whatever. You steer the boat. You can send any message to your audience under the guise of entertainment. Gosh, even if you just deejayed for yourself, you'd still get the thrill of discovering what moves you musically. The roots of all genres of music are great time capsules into the past. Music is my fantastic way to study the history of the people of the world. I identify with Jamaican island music the most.
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Post by thecrystalmaiden on Sept 6, 2005 13:15:08 GMT -5
Beautiful advice, sheperdess. Gemma, know that every day can be joyful if you look in the right places, but sometimes we have to train our mind not to think in the depressing cycles we get trapped in. Perhaps that will help you. =)
Much love, -Theresa
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Post by Kivawolfspeaker on Sept 6, 2005 13:23:23 GMT -5
Luz,
Sorry it took so long to reply, but I haven't realized you have asked for my experiences. Well, I experience intense when I'm listening to just about any of the CDs I have. I don't own very much negative or depressing music though.
I've had many experiences of intense joy while at the local wildlife reserve. Right now, I don't have time to post the details of some of them but will do so later.
Kiva
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Post by cherise on Sept 8, 2005 3:01:35 GMT -5
Kiva, where's your joy story?
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Post by luz18 on Sept 13, 2005 14:17:18 GMT -5
Yeah... tell us what your joy experience is, kiva.... :-)
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Post by djgirlcherise on Sept 14, 2005 22:40:18 GMT -5
Hi everyone.
KIVA!, KIVA!, KIVA! Arya, have you posted a joy story?
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Post by Kivawolfspeaker on Sept 15, 2005 8:24:48 GMT -5
lol, sorry. It's been nuts since school started again, so that's why I haven't posted yet.
Anyways, here is a story about a joyful experience a had about two summers ago.
On June 26th, 2003 I went to Schmeeckle to celebrate the new moon. It was around midnight. I entered Schmeeckle by the dorms and only went in just behind the shelter at that entrance. I did a meditation ritual and drank some Stash Triple Ginseng tea. After the meditation, I decided to go in a little further. As I began walking in, I saw things moving as if there were wind blowing, yet I physically felt NO WIND BLOWING!!! The plants in Schmeeckle were dancing full of life. As John Muir puts it, “I never before saw a plant so full of life; so perfectly spiritual.” I felt VERY connected to Nature and the Universe. It was as if the Universe said, “Hi, Jenny. How are you this evening?” I had such a profound spiritual experience that night. I was “dwelling” in Nature. I became a “clearing” inwhich the energy flow and life force of the plants in Schmeeckle was revealed. The plants also became “clearings” in which the energy flow and interconnectedness of Nature was brought to the surface. Not, that I didn’t already realize that but this experience really brought it full circle. This experience helped me to realize that Nature was spiritual, that there was more than just physical matter there. This also made me want that connectedness, unity with the Cosmos even more.
Looking back on this experience, it was the most joyful experience I've had (besides playing or listening to music). When I think about it, this experience only brings smiles to my face.
Kiva
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Post by Kivawolfspeaker on Sept 15, 2005 8:36:06 GMT -5
Here's another experience that happened to me about a month later, also in Schmeeckle.
I was sitting on a bench in the shelter at the entrance by the dorms, when I see a snow shoe hare. It seems want me to follow it and I did. Turns out, the hare lead me to a new part of Schmeeckle I had never known about before. Instead of going straight into Schmeeckle from the shelter, the hare took me on the path to the right of the shelter. Along the path I saw 3 deer before coming to a little open field with the perfect Willow tree. It had been sprinkling and sunny, so I knew to look for a rainbow. When coming to the open field, I saw the rainbow I’d been looking for! It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! Once the rainbow was gone, I went toward the Willow tree. I was about to go past the tree when I heard something say “I knew you’d come”. I turned around and looked at the Willow tree. I knew it was in fact the Willow tree that had said that! Then, I sat in the Willow tree. At that moment I felt as if I were a lost child that just been reunited with its mother after a long time apart.
Like, the last experience I posted when I think about this one, it only brings smiles to my face.
Kiva
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Post by thecrystalmaiden on Sept 15, 2005 12:18:28 GMT -5
Wow Kiva those are such beautiful stories! They even made me feel joyful, hehe, I know what you mean about how nature is so spiritual. I have felt the connection most of my life yet just recently I've been through some hard times and my connections to the things around me has become much much MUCH more intense, it seems as though I only have to step outside and I can feel the energy of all the life around me literally lift my spirits and fill me with a refreshing purity. It is very beautiful. And I can feel plants calling out to me too now, which I'd never noticed quite so strongly before, whenever I pass by a tree or a plant that's close enough I reach out to graze it with my fingers because I feel as though it is trying to give me comfort and peace.
Nature is so loving and beautiful, it pains me when I see what we do to her.
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Post by cherise on Sept 17, 2005 0:07:39 GMT -5
I imagine my grandmothers as trees. They are so happy to see me, they scoop me up in their arms, they tell me they love me, and that I can go and play again. It's a powerful image burned into my brain.
Kiva,
It was so fun to read your post. I could really feel your excitement, which helped me to have that experience through you. Now, it's part of my vision of joy.
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Post by ispeak2angels999 on Sept 17, 2005 22:56:51 GMT -5
It's so great that this thread has been started, because so many people are having so many hard times in their lives. We need to remember the joyful and fun things, because when we are joyful, we love ourselves, and when we love ourselves, we heal our wounds.
My joyful experience recently was at a beach. I went down to a beach that was on a thin peninsula, so you are surrounded by water on both sides and the path to get there is wooded. I went with my mom and her friend, and at first I just walked along the sand, but I suddenly realized how soft the sand looked under my feet. I decided to take my shoes off, and once I did, I felt unbelieveably connected to mother earth. I sat down against a huge chunck of driftwood and just watched the waves, hearing and smelling the water. I felt as if i could be there all day! I wish i could have the time to do more things like that, just being in the present. It's amizing how good it feels.
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Post by cherise on Sept 18, 2005 13:57:50 GMT -5
Pull your ears down from the bottom as far as you can, and laugh ("Ha, Ha, Ha") from deep within your stomach. If you try this with another person, I swear you can see inside of them. If you continue this, for more than a few moments, it will spiral into silliness. It's a very effective exercise for putting yourself in a moment of joy.
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Post by luz18 on Sept 18, 2005 14:03:39 GMT -5
djgirlcherise ~ I totally agree with what you said about music being able to inlfuence the masses the most. It truly is a blessing from God.... By just listening to one song, it lifts people's moods when they're feeling down.. it's pure magic :-)
Kiva~ Your experience really touched me, and for the first time in this hectic week of mine, I feel relaxed, happy and recharged again. That was beautiful! Lots of love, Luz
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Post by indigirl on Sept 19, 2005 14:53:06 GMT -5
One of my greatest moments of joy was about a year and a half a ago, when I was living in New York City. Every night during the week this boy and I (who I am still convinced to this day is the love of my life) would both walk from our homes to meet each other at our halfway point. I began walking this one night, around 2 am. Normally I am very frightened to walk through the city by myself this late, but tonight I just felt a sense of calm and peace. I met the boy at our halfway point, and he just grabbed me and held on to me so tight. I was standing there, in the middle of an empty New York City, underneath the most perfect, cloudless, starry sky I had ever seen, being held by someone I cared so deeply for, and it's like something just suddenly clicked. It was like I was feeling love from him and God at the same time, and I just felt this beautiful warmth that I never wanted to let go of. It was that moment when I realized this boy must be my soulmate. (Subsequently, I made the mistake of letting go it, a choice made out of desperation where I moved 3000 miles away from him. And every day since then I feel as though I have been ripped in two jagged pieces, and that something is keeping me from being whole again.) Whoops, that's a topic for another post, I think. It's not too joyful, lol. But that night definetly was, and I'm so thankful for it and him.
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