Cultivate Joy from Within
Literary Citizenship and the Art of Vicarious Joy (...& announcing new bookclub pick)
In the Western world, the concept of joy often seems tied to unreliable external circumstances; we don’t have many practices that teach us how to cultivate joy from within. The ancient Buddhist heart practice Mudita, or sympathetic joy, is a powerful method of cultivating a practice of joy (my good friend Kim Thai writes about practicing joy beautifully in her substack Everyday Magic).
Mudita, simply put, means the practice of appreciative joy at the success and good fortune of others. It entails seeing the good in others and fostering a sense of admiration and appreciation for their achievements and happiness (Siriwardhana, 1995). You might also call it vicarious joy, the ability to feel happiness for someone else’s happiness; it’s that warm glow we get when we witness another’s successes, even when we’re not directly involved. These effects are greatest when you have a close connection with the person experiencing the joy, but they can be felt even when you don’t. (Agnew, C. R., Loving, T. J., Le, B., & Goodfriend, W. 2004).
Why is cultivating sympathetic joy so important?
Well, for one, it feels good—it lights us up from within. It can create a pervasive sense of closeness, positivity, and pleasure. And on a broader scale, practicing Mudita and embracing vicarious joy can contribute to building a more compassionate society. It cultivates a spirit of generosity and a greater willingness to help one another and forge meaningful connections.
So how does the practice of joy translate into a writing life?
Enter Literary Citizenship—a term coined by the author, Tin House founder, and literary citizen extraordinaire
—that encompasses all activities in the literary world that support literary life (and don't involve writing). Literary Citizenship offers a set of activities, or practices, to engage in to foster a feeling of appreciation for the success of other writers, from attending book events to writing reviews and sharing about books on social media and any other activity that feels authentic to you. In a sense, it cultivates vicarious joy.Another perk of literary citizenship is that supporting others will make you feel good and feeling happy will make you more creative (Pannells 2008). Additionally, science has shown that vicarious joy is good for your mental health and physical health, it can foster a deep sense of connection and belonging.
With that in mind, I'm thrilled to announce next month’s book club pick: "I Say the Sky" by my dear friend Nadia Colburn. Nadia's profound and accessible poetry collection “finds splendor and astonishment in a natural world - and a human world- that is deeply troubled yet still majestically beautiful. Both elegy and celebration, I Say the Sky addresses some of the most challenging aspects of human existence, from childhood trauma to environmental devastation, and discovers, in unexpected and clear-signed ways, wisdom, wonder, and peace.”
I have been savoring these pages like mini meditations. I can't wait to delve into this thought-provoking collection together.
Remember, shining a light on others will make you shine brighter. Enjoy the glow.
Love,
Lisa