How to “Find Joy in a Joyless Place” [STAFFCLS]

Dr. Jeffrey Seibert and Dr. Rosemarie LoSasso

The path to happiness in the world is often described as a process of maximizing pleasure or joy and minimizing pain. Since pain nevertheless seems unavoidable, popular notions abound, such as joy can be fully appreciated only in contrast to pain; absence makes the heart grow fonder; no pain, no gain. A Course in Miracles offers a different perspective in its teaching that being happy in the world is simply not possible, “for the world is unhappy”; and so Jesus asks, “How else can you find joy in a joyless place except by realizing that you are not there?” (T-6.II.5:7–6:1). This class explores the means by which we can achieve this realization, while avoiding the ego trap of denying our experiences. As we look within with Jesus or the Holy Spirit, we are then able to acknowledge that we are unhappy by our own choice, and not because of the world. This opens the door then to experience true joy.