Gate 58: The Gate of Joy

To Live in the Flow Of Joy

By living in the flow of joy and following our passions we can truly fulfill our potential. If we embrace learning and growing from our passions, we grow out of joy.. not out of obligation.

The Channel of Judgement/Improvement: Gate 58 /Gate 18

• The drive to skillfully conquer something because you love it.

The Aligned Expression

It is the un-shakeable knowing that life is beautiful and worthy of being improved. This isn't the fleeting "happiness" you feel when you buy a new car; this is a deep, adrenal zest for living.

When you are aligned with this energy:

• You find beauty in the mundane.

• Live in the flow of joy

The Out-of-Alignment Expression

The "Shadow" often falls into the trap of "I’ll be happy when..." (I'll be happy when I lose 10lbs, when I get the job, when the house is clean).

When you are out of alignment:

• You feel a constant, nagging dissatisfaction with the present moment.

• You become critical of everyone and everything (including yourself) because nothing is ever "perfect enough."

• You try to force corrections on people who didn't ask for them, leading to resistance and resentment.

Contemplative Questions

To shift from the shadow to the light, ask yourself these questions today:

"Am I waiting for external conditions to be perfect before I allow myself to feel joy?"

"Can I find one thing in this imperfect moment that sparks a love for life?"

"Joy is not what happens when everything is perfect. Joy is the fuel that gives us the energy to make things perfect."

"Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."