Joy Comes From Within, But External Factors Significantly Impact How We Feel
The practice of intentional disconnection serves as a form of emotional medicine, a therapeutic approach that can benefit everyone in our increasingly connected world.
While joy is fundamentally an internal experience that emanates from within, we cannot ignore the profound influence that external factors have on our emotional well-being. In today's interconnected world, a multitude of external elements shape our daily emotional landscape—from the immediate circumstances of our personal lives to the broader societal forces that surround us. These include the ever-shifting political climate, intricate social structures, economic pressures like inflation, our relationships and connections with others, and our financial circumstances. Beyond these factors, we are also affected by global challenges such as international wars, the rise of strict religious adherence through online content, and the increasing division between various cultural and social groups.
Consider how a typical day unfolds: we wake up feeling optimistic and determined to maintain a positive outlook, yet a single troubling news headline can completely alter our emotional state, casting a shadow over the remainder of our day. Similarly, in social situations, what begins as a friendly discussion can quickly turn tense when confronted with conflicting viewpoints, leading to emotional distress and discomfort. The contemporary surge in religious fundamentalism presents another significant challenge, as various religious groups establish strong online presences and increasingly emphasize religious identity. This phenomenon, now through technology, affects those who are exposed to these ideological influences through various media channels. It creates divisions in our global family, which diminishes our joy. Today, these religious ideologies are root causes of major conflicts worldwide, where innocent people, even children, pay with their lives. These conflicts leave deep emotional wounds and profound sadness across many communities, making it difficult to find genuine joy.
Today, I turned on the radio to stay informed about current events unfolding across the globe. Among the various news stories, there was significant coverage about protests taking place in the United States capital regarding the upcoming inauguration ceremony. This situation has understandably created a sense of unease and concern among many people, as such events can have far-reaching implications for social stability. Such narratives and events can significantly diminish our sense of joy and inner peace, casting shadows over our emotional well-being and creating a pervasive sense of unease that affects our daily experience.
The impact of these external factors on our joy has been amplified exponentially by modern technology, making it increasingly challenging to maintain emotional distance from the constant stream of information. This reality necessitates a conscious effort to disconnect, step back, and carefully evaluate the information we consume. I often draw a parallel with the traditional practice of gold panning, which used to happen here in the Yukon over a century ago in Dawson City. In the past, prospectors would stand in flowing rivers, carefully sifting through water and sediment. When they spotted a gold nugget, they would carefully extract it while letting the remaining water flow past. Similarly, we must learn to process information selectively, retaining only the valuable insights—the metaphorical gold nuggets—while allowing less important information to pass by without affecting us deeply.
While this practice of selective engagement requires dedication and patience, it is entirely achievable. The key lies in learning to disconnect and disengage effectively. In our current era, where social media and smartphone addiction pose significant challenges to mental well-being, it becomes crucial to engage in alternative activities. Participating in sports, physical movement, meditation, and creative pursuits can help establish and maintain mental equilibrium, providing a necessary counterbalance to the constant influx of information.
Although joy originates internally, creating and maintaining it requires careful management of external influences. This doesn't mean becoming indifferent to global issues or abandoning our sense of compassion - I personally remain deeply moved by various injustices in our world. Rather, it's about creating deliberate periods of disconnection within each 24-hour cycle, allowing ourselves time to reconnect with our inner selves and discover genuine peace. My experience living in the Yukon wilderness has been particularly enlightening in this regard, providing an ideal environment for disconnection and helping me understand the profound benefits of reducing external noise to focus on cultivating inner joy.
This week, I ventured outside into the pristine landscape blanketed by a fresh layer of white snow here in the Yukon that stretched as far as the eye could see, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty. The profound peace and tranquility of the natural environment stirred something deep within me, inspiring feelings of warmth and joy that manifested in spontaneous, flowing movements. The gentle stillness of the snow-covered surroundings created a perfect canvas for contemplation and physical expression. I've captured this magical moment in a video that I'd love to share with you, hoping it brings you the same sense of joy and serenity that I experienced.
This practice of intentional disconnection serves as a form of emotional medicine, a therapeutic approach that can benefit everyone in our increasingly connected world.
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Gurdeep
Wow! So surprising. Everyone usually talks about how to connect to people and the world around us. But it is also important to disconnect from everything around us, as you mention here. Unplug for a little while. I’m usually in solitude. I can’t handle the outside influences and world events. Thank you for your article, Gurdeep!
Gurdeep, I love this piece, as you encourage us to sift through what we intake, and look for the "metaphorical gold nugget' amidst all of the noise and news and input we encounter. I agree too, that does not mean we should ignore all the bad news around us -- there are many important happenings and causes we need to attend to -- but we do, however, as you say, need to "create deliberate periods of disconnection", so we can replenish and find joy and stay strong, so that we can attend to that which we deem important. Another important message from you, Gurdeep!