Brigid joy

I know, it seems like a strange one, to link Brigid and joy. Many of us are used to solemn, serious, rigid spiritualities and rituals. Very formal, very dignified, very sober. For most of us, even the religious aspects of weddings and christenings (ok this is very Catholic focused!) are serious, with little enough laughter in them.

Why is that though? I mean, I know, spirituality is a serious business. But why does it all have to be serious? And why is joy important to us?

Positive health effects

OK, I google-scholared the idea of joy in spirituality. I looked at just the descriptions for each entry on the first few pages. Pretty much all of them mention the positive health side affects of feeling joy, across physical, mental, spiritual and emotional spheres. Now, I’ve written before on “What is spirituality“, so I’m not going to go into that again. And it’s important to remember that the definition of “health” will vary from person to person, across different geographical areas, abilities, conditions, resources, etc, etc, etc.

So when I mention positive health side effects, please remember that. “Health” doesn’t look the same to everyone.

But everyone can feel positive health side effects from feeling joy.

The pathways aren’t necessarily fully determined, but it links with the negative side effects linked with chronic stress. And reducing the effects of stress on me, my mind, my body, my soul is a major part of my spiritual process.

How to find joy?

Well, those of you who have taken my Building a Daily Practice with Brigid course will know I highly recommend music and dance as part of a spiritual practice. Now, music and dance may look differently to different people, but for me, they are inherently joyous activities. And Brigid encourages this joy.

I do sometimes find joy in prayer and meditation. It’s more difficult for me, but it does happen. There are times a meditation goes really, really well and I come out of it just feeling full of the joys of life. There are other times when a meditation is plain hard work, and I come out of it exhausted. This is ok, this is fine.

But there is joy to be found in collaboration and work with the Divine, whatever form that takes for you. There are numerous reports of the ecstatic experiences within Catholic history. (There are of course numerous reports without Catholic history as well, mind you, but I’m relatively confident about the Catholic stuff)

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

ECSTASY

In general, the state of being beside oneself through some overpowering experience. As a mystical phenomenon, it includes two elements, one interior and the other exterior. The invisible element consists in the mind being riveted on a religious subject. The corporeal aspect means that the activity of the senses is suspended, so that not only are external sensations unable to influence the soul, but these sensations become very difficult to awaken. Many saints have received ecstasies as a supernatural gift from God, although ecstasy of itself is not a criterion of holiness. (Etym. Greek ekstasos; from ex, out + histanai, to cause to stand: existanai, to derange.)

It’s a recognised state within Catholicism.

So specifically, then, Orlagh. Please? Joy and Brigid.

Dance and music for me.

For me, ecstatic dance is a great way to release emotions and regain my joy and equilibrium. It helps my brain switch off and get out of it’s own way. And some people find this in deep, repetitive work- knitting or crocheting an item for an altar perhaps?

What aspects of your spiritual practice bring you joy? Dancing might not cut it for you. Prayer might though?

Engaging with your community might.

A really good discussion on an aspect of your spirituality might bring you immense joy.

This comes back to knowing yourself. What brings you joy in life? (It’s also step 3 on my six step Brigid’s Path process for a reason!) Is there a way to integrate joy with Brigid’s work in your life?

Reminder

So here’s the thing. Joy in spirituality has been shown to connect individuals to the divine, fosters inner peace, generates positive energy, builds resilience, and promotes gratitude, mindfulness, compassion, healing, inspiration, fulfilment, community, alignment with spiritual values, and transcendence.

But we can be caught in the notion that Brigid doesn’t want joy in our spiritual practice and in my experience, it’s categorically not the case. It’s worth going through this step. It’s worth examining what brings you joy in your spirituality. Trust me.

Plus, feeling joy in the spiritual process means you’re more likely to engage with it than if you’re feeling downright miserable!!