But What About Joy?

In this episode we unpack this submission from a reader and student of The Work:

I have a question about what The Work says about joy in our lives, and more specifically, finding joy in our lives when that does not come easily.  In my current life state, it is easy for me to consider many moments of my life as moments of "intentional suffering" or "conscious labor."  This approach certainly helps me accept the things in life that I can't control that feel more like labor or suffering than joy.  At the same time, I'd like to experience joy in my life, and that is difficult when most of my time spent in any way "awake" is spent focused on suffering.  I wonder if this is a product of my attention; when I'm focusing so much on dealing with the events of my day that feel like suffering and doing that intentionally, when does that leave time for looking for the moments that inspire joy?  Is there a part of intentional suffering that allows for joy? Does The Work care about our joy?

This question challenged me greatly and sent me seeking in the index of all my Work resources only to find… very little.

I was brought to prayer where the attending saints + angels gave me the metaphor of a fruit tree, not exactly a new metaphor if you’ve been in my sphere for any time! And yet, an image of great hope and promise.

I’ll share from my inner seeing, as well as direction from Work teacher Maurice Nicoll. I quote from his Psychological Commentaries on the Teaching of Gurdjieff & Ouspensky. The particular reading I offer can be found on page 10.

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“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.

I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature.

This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.” John 15:10-15, The Message translation