IRest Practice 23: Enhancing Joy

The search for external sources of joy might be what prevents us from feeling the underlying joy of being. Searching keeps our minds fixed on external objects and experiences. Looking for something outside of ourselves takes us away from seeing that joy is already present within us.

Our willingness to experience mild to moderate stress and negative emotions builds our ability to bounce back from unpleasant situations. Welcoming lower levels of stress helps protects us from being overwhelmed by higher levels of stress. And, regularly experiencing joy will vaccinate us against being overwhelmed by higher levels of stress.

iRest Practice 23: Enhancing Joy from the iRest Program for Healing PTSD: A Proven Effective Approach to Using Yoga Nidra Meditation & Deep Relaxation Techniques to Overcome Trauma. Written by Richard C. Miller, PhD. Recorded by Erin Finck, TCTSY-F, RYT 500, Level 1 iRest Teacher

Transcript

Here's a practice of Iris that can help enhance your experience of joy through your willingness to experience moderate doses of stress. IRest invites you to treat each stressful life event you encounter as an opportunity to vaccinate yourself against stress and strengthen your ability to welcome and experience joy. You can seize this opportunity in any moment. Try it now. With your eyes gently open or closed. Welcome the environment and sounds around you. The touch of air on your skin. The sensations where your body touches the surface that's supporting it. Your body breathing. The various sensations that are present throughout your body. Now locate the felt sense of joy in your body. You may feel joy in any number of ways. As the feeling of connection. Well-being. Contentment. Peace. Enthusiasm. Or some other sensation particular to your body and mind. As you locate the felt sense of joy in your body. Since where and how you experience it. Perhaps it's a warm feeling in your heart. Or a gentle smile on your face. Or a glow in your belly that radiates out to your arms and legs. Welcome the feeling of joy. However you experience it in your body and mind. If it's hopeful. Bring to mind a memory of a person. Animal. Place. Or object. That brings a sense of joy into your body. Allow the feeling of joy to grow and spread throughout your body. Now pair the feeling of joy. With a negative sensation. Emotion. Or thought. Or with a stressor you are experiencing. Whether a situation. Image, Or memory. Feel how this stressful thought, Emotion, Or situation affects your body and mind. Now alternate between experiencing the felt sense of joy and the negative stressor. Go back and forth. Alternating by first feeling joy in your body. Than the negative stressor in your body. Now take time to feel both at the same time. CHOI and stress. Choy and the negative stressor. Allow joy to spread throughout your entire body, Even as you're feeling the negative stress. Than when it feels right. Let go of the negative stressor. And come back to just feeling joy spreading throughout your body and mind. Rest here for as long as you feel comfortable. When you're ready to complete this practice. Let your eyes open and close several times. As you welcome the felt sense of joy to accompany you. And your daily activities. And life.