Childish Christmas mood

If you have at least one moment of joy, do not reject it.

Photo by Peter Zhang on Unsplash

There is a Zen story I really like, about a novice who couldn’t make any progress in his practice. Feeling frustrated, he goes to his master to complain:

“I don’t know what to do, I sit to meditate and my thoughts are flooding me. I can’t sit still for a moment, I feel antsy, I’m fighting with myself. I am soo hopeless!

The master listens to him patiently, lets him finish, and, smiling softly, replies:

“This is going to pass, don’t worry!”

After a while, the student progresses with meditation and one day he has a satory moment. He is overwhelmed by feelings of intense happiness, peace, unconditional love.

Overjoyed, he goes to the master again:

“I succeeded! I never thought I could feel like this, everything is perfect, it’s incredible, I’m so happy!”

The Zen master listens patiently to him again, and then answers softly:

“This will pass too …

Why am I telling this story now, at Christmas? Because after decades, I finally managed to feel that childish joy that I had long lost. And, for someone who has struggled with depression since childhood, this is a big achievement.

I know there are many who, like me, receive Christmas with mixed feelings, and the general joy makes them feel even more alone.

But if you have at least one moment of joy, do not reject it. There will be enough time for sadness.

I, for one, seek to enjoy every moment. Everything will pass.

And a song to make us smile:

Have a Joyful and Peaceful Christmas! 🎄