Hi there, welcome to Radio Headspace, it's Dora.
I was on retreat a few years ago with a well-known meditation teacher.
Someone whose books I'd read, whose teachings I deeply respected.
I'll be honest, I was a little intimidated.
They had this really composed, almost stoic presence, soft-spoken,
serious, the kind of person you instinctively sit up straighter around.
But on the second night, something shifted.
It was after dinner, and a few of us were gathered around.
The teacher walked over and cracked the silliest joke, like full-on dad joke energy.
And then they started laughing, like belly laughing, shoulder shaking, eyes watering laughter.
And I remember just watching them in that moment.
This person I had kind of put on a pedestal, completely disarmed by joy.
Something in me lightened up too,
because here was someone who could hold deep wisdom and still be deeply playful,
still be fully human.
That night reminded me of something I often forgot.
Joy is an extra.
It's essential.
And when we allow ourselves to feel it,
especially around others, we give them permission to feel it too.