From a Buddhist perspective, joy is a strategy and an important one but it is clearly not one that stands on its own. Joy—in particular sympathetic joy—is one of the Brahma viharas. These are the “four immeasurables” or the heart practices that you can’t overtrain.
By Claire Parsons
The New York Times posted a brazenly clickbait headline last week in response to the Democratic National Convention: “Joy is not a strategy,” it declared.
I call this headline clickbait because its timing was clearly intended to dupe the reader into thinking the piece was a partisan political attack. It wasn’t. It said very little and I don’t encourage you to go read it.
I also don’t encourage you to get sidetracked by the politics here, though I concede that is a tall order these days. The reason the headline took ahold of my attention was not politics at all, but the unprovoked attack on joy. Like the political implications in the headline, this one too, was false. The article didn’t argue that joy is not an effective strategy in politics. It seemed to suggest the opposite.
This Aggression Against Joy Will Not Stand, Man
But seeing a headline like that in the New York Times got me thinking and I wasn’t alone. Is it true that joy is not a strategy? As author John Scalzi eloquently replied on Threads, “The f—– it isn’t, pal.”
Scalzi, of course, was talking about politics and history’s many examples of joy being used to unite and mobilize movements support his thinking. But when it comes to life and Buddhist thought, I also agree that joy is a strategy.
Let’s break down what it means to say that, “joy is not a strategy.”
To interpret this statement in a way that most would agree with on a true or false test, you must insert the words “alone,” or “in isolation” or “in itself.” Most of us would agree that joy, in itself, may not be a holistic strategy for life, politics or completing basic tasks.
Joy Is Not a Lone Wolf
But, of course, does anyone realistically think the contrary? Perhaps some internet gurus or people who willfully misinterpret comments from Oprah might think joy on its own is literally all you need. Most reasonable people, though, probably would think that logic, a clear view of reality, problem-solving and basic human needs matter too.
From a Buddhist perspective, joy is a strategy and an important one but it is clearly not one that stands on its own. Joy—in particular sympathetic joy—is one of the Brahma viharas. These are the “four immeasurables” or the heart practices that you can’t overtrain.
Joy is the antidote to envy and helps us remember we aren’t separated as our minds sometimes like to suggest. What’s more, joy supports the other heart practices too, including compassion, equanimity, and loving-kindness.
In Buddhism, Joy Is a Strategy
These are the forces that bind us together, keep us steady amidst challenge, and help us show courage in the face of suffering. This means joy is a “strategy” (if you want to use that term) which has a place in Buddhist thought and practice. That is because it is essential to living a meaningful and connected life as a human being.
Now, of course, these heart practices, vital as they are, don’t stand on their own. We can’t have compassion, kindness, or joy without the luminous awareness of mindfulness. We need to be present in life to be joyful in it.
If we are paying attention, we may also learn that some actions and behaviors tend to lead us to joy more and to suffering less. As a result, we are guided by the Noble Eightfold Path and the precepts that supplement the strategy of living a good life.
Clickbait Headlines Are Not Joy
So what’s my point here? I think my big point is that clickbait headlines are a strategy. They are used all too often. But they don’t teach us much about joy. The clickbait headline was wrong because it was misleading and not just to those fools like me who actually read the article. It perpetuates a myth that joy and strategy are separate or at odds. They aren’t from the perspective of Buddhism or anyone who has lived a life among other humans.
Joy is a strategy, and its power is not reduced because it does not stand on its own. Instead, joy is most powerful because of its potential to bind, connect and create meaning.
Joy was not meant to stand on its own and it should not be expected to do so. It was always meant to be shared and to help us see clearly and remember what matters. The Buddha knew that and, if you pay attention, you will see it too, as long as you avoid those clickbait headlines.
Photo: Pixabay
Article photo: Pixabay
Editor: Dana Gornall
Did you like this post? You may also like:
Comments
- Don’t Take the Clickbait:Joy Is a Strategy - September 2, 2024
- Are You a Buddhist Just Because You Practice Meditation? - August 12, 2024
- Confidence: Holding Your Seat Through Life’s Eight Worldly Winds by Ethan Nichtern {Book Review} - July 8, 2024
