February 1, 2021

My talk yesterday concluded with a line from this poem by Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941). It is a reminder that the spirit of joy underlines the human experience of creativity and discovery. Human joy mirrors what we can only express as Joy in the Divine Creative process that brings forth all levels and expressions of life. We have the capacity to touch that point of Joy by reaching for it, but also being open when it finds us, even in times of great difficulty.

And Joy is Everywhere

It is in the Earth's green covering of grass;

In the blue serenity of the Sky;

In the reckless exuberance of Spring;

In the severe abstinence of gray Winter;

In the Living flesh that animates our bodily frame;

In the perfect poise of the Human figure, noble and upright;

In Living;

In the exercise of all our powers;

In the acquisition of Knowledge;

In fighting evils ...

Joy is there Everywhere. ”

~ Rabindranath Tagore (2016). “SĀDHANĀ - The Realization of life”, p.64.