I’ve been thinking a lot about Mudita recently and thought it was worth a look back at this post I wrote last December. I realized that practicing mudita has freed me from the heartache that often came when I couldn’t do what others could (that’s not to say that I don’t still feel that heartache sometimes, I do, but not like I used to). A friend of mine is planning a trip to Italy, a place I always wanted to go, I was a little surprised that I was not the slightest bit envious of her, I’m genuinely happy that she gets to experience this, and I can’t wait to hear every detail. I can feel her joy, and it fills my heart.
I hope you enjoy this post from the past.
“Mudita is a word from Sanskrit and Pali that has no counterpart in English. It means sympathetic or unselfish joy, or joy in the good fortune of others.” (1)
I bring up Mudita now because those of us who are sick often find it very hard not being able to participate in celebrations this time of year. We feel we are stuck on the outside just looking in, and as we look in we are envious. We can’t feel joy. Mudita is the opposite of envy. When we feel mudita we feel joy in the joy of others. We are genuinely happy that others are having a good time, even though we can’t join them.
This feeling doesn’t happen over night. It’s hard to overcome those feelings of envy. We don’t want to feel this way, but we have to admit, that’s the way we often feel when things come up and we can’t join in the fun. We don’t feel joy in the fun the others are having, we feel sadness and anger that we can’t join them.
I first read about mudita when I read How To Be Sick by Toni Bernhard. At the time my husband was playing games with a group of friends and I used to be envious that he had this group and I didn’t have anything like it. He’d call me from there and I’d get this knot in my stomach and feel horrible because of this envy. Then one day I realized how much he needed this time, how much he loved this activity and how much my envy hurt him. (even though I thought I hid it well) I remembered what I learned from reading Toni’s book. I remembered mudita. It didn’t happen overnight, but in time I started feeling joy when hubby would call from his game and sound excited about how things were going. At first I faked it. I knew I should feel joy for him so when I talked to him I put on a smile and told myself how happy I was for him and how much joy this made me feel. Did I feel this at first. No. But after a while when he called I was truly happy. I felt joy hearing how the night was going. I was no longer faking it.
When trying to practice mudita start small. Start with someone you don’t know. When you see someone win a competition feel joy in their joy. Then when you give a gift, feel the joy the receiver feels (that’s an easy one, I think). Take it one step at a time and you will be surprised at how much joy you can feel when others feel joy.
It may not happen this holiday season, but perhaps when you can’t participate in the next celebration you might be able to find mudita, and feel joy in the joy of others.
I recommend all of Toni Bernhard’s books: How to be Sick, How to Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness, How to Wake Up. If you are chronically ill and haven’t read it yet, be sure to read How to be Sick. I’ve read it over and over and keep going back to it. It helps me live the day. It makes me feel like I can get through this and thrive.
For further reading on Mudita, of course you can check out Toni’s books, but also check out.
*drawing by Wendy Holcombe. Please do not use without permission.
Picnic with Ants 
A fascinating post as this isn’t something I know much (*anything) about really, so thank you for sharing. I’ll Google that book “How to be Sick, How to Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness, How to Wake Up” now as that also sounds like an intriguing read! x
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This does take a lot to get to the point. I will have to read that book. I think I have it on my Kindle. I know I have wanted to go to Europe and when others talk of these kinds of travels I wish I could be them. Who knows if I will ever make it there on my income. It is very expensive. Then, if I were to be able I would always think of better ways I should spend that money. So, money or not, I may never make it to Europe, but I would like to be less envious and simply happy for others, moreso than I am. I am happy for them, but I could be more happy.
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Sometimes I am able to “practice,” other times, well . . .
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful post again. I am proud of how well you do this.
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Reblogged this on Lorraine's frilly freudian slip and commented:
I am so proud of Wendy and her ability to “practice” this selflessness. As always, I can learn so much from her.
Thanks, Wendy, for sharing this post. It is a relevant now as a year ago!
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This is gold!
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“fake it until you make it” Love it! Our brain don’t really know the difference between “fake” feelings and genuine. Good Post Wendy.
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What a Beautiful post, my Dear! Hearty Congratulations.
My life is also extremely lonely. As a Catholic Priest I had not ‘chosen’ to be Eremetical, (WP shows questions over this word, I had meant living as a Hermit, Alone.) I had always imagined my Ashram as filled with People, which has not happened.
I have not ‘Envied’ people, but I ‘have’ sad, very sad even.
Let me tell You that I intend to practise this ‘Mudita,’ from now on.
Thank You Very much for sharing it.
Love and Regards. 🙂
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my friend, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. I didn’t know you were a Catholic priest, how very interesting.
Being lonely if hard. I understand very well. I too am not surrounded by people like I thought I would be, however, I have found great friendships and support from my blogging family, in which you are, of course, a part of.
Thank you for your thoughts, always. You are so kind.
love to you. wendy
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Thank You, my Dear Wendy! Your love and support much appreciated!
Let’s keep on keeping on! 🙂
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Thank You for teaching us about Mudita. That is something I definitely want to incorporate into my everyday life.
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Ah, Mudita. The post that brought us together one short year ago. Remember I had a big challenge coming at me and you said, DON”T START WITH THAT! You were right, it was a bit overzealous! But I have learned in this year to practice AND continue to practice Mudita. (And I thought I was going to be reading something from the Lion King when I first saw it!) xo~Kim
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I have more than one reason to love Mudita now, it brought you in my life. I’m so glad you can feel Mudita.
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Aw. Thank you, Wen!
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