Inner Wisdom Inspirations middle ground Mindfulness Peace of mind Self Discovery

Joy is Sorrow Unmasked

by Val Boyko
Comments 35

These inspiring words for the highs and lows of life are worth sharing again today.

sorrow and joy

“Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight….

They are inseparable. Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at a standstill and balanced. “

~ Kahlil Gibran, “The Prophet”

There is so much wisdom in these words. They are worth coming back to again and again.

For me, when we see that sorrow and joy are inseparable, and come from the same sweet well of our being, there comes acceptance… and life flows more easily.

Love is the essence.

When we acknowledge that sorrow and joy are a part of life and let go of attachment to either … we discover the inner space and connection to Source in our middle ground.

Namaste

35 comments on “Joy is Sorrow Unmasked”

  1. Robert Jepson
    May 14, 2015

    The Prophet is such a wonderful work of wisdom, it is good to dip back into it time and again. Thanks for sharing this passage Val 🙂

    Liked by 5 people

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  2. nrhatch
    May 14, 2015

    Sorrow is the price we pay for joy.

    C. S. Lewis as the film Shadowlands concludes:

    “Why love if losing hurts so much? I have no answers any more. Only the life I have lived. Twice in that life I’ve been given the choice: as a boy and as a man. The boy chose safety, the man chooses suffering. The pain now is part of the happiness then. That’s the deal.”

    Liked by 4 people

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    • Val Boyko
      May 14, 2015

      Thank you Nancy for this lovely insight from CS Lewis. There can’t be one without the other… and we have a choice.

      Like

      Reply
  3. Eliza Waters
    May 14, 2015

    My most visited passage in The Prophet! This has got me through some tough times. It really helps keeps things in perspective.

    Liked by 2 people

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  4. Paul Handover
    May 15, 2015

    Beautiful post, Val and supported by wonderful replies above.

    Liked by 2 people

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  5. Jill Weatherholt
    May 15, 2015

    This is beautiful, Val. Thank you. xo

    Liked by 3 people

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  6. Jane Sheppard
    May 15, 2015

    Hi Val. That’s very true. Bit of a bummer to think on it when you’re experiencing joy, though! I’d rather think ‘yay, something lovely’ than ‘hmm. Sorrow’s just around the corner’. Wouldn’t you? 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

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  7. suzicate
    May 15, 2015

    Beautiful and wise words. Love what Nancy shared as well.

    Liked by 5 people

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  8. Louise Gallagher
    May 15, 2015

    I am so grateful that through your revisiting of the Prophet, I am reminded and given the opportunity to revisit too!

    Beautiful passage and such a compassionate reminder to find the wholeness in everything.

    Liked by 4 people

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  9. noellevignola
    May 15, 2015

    Can’t even begin to tell you how often I have quoted this piece. Hands down my favorite part of The Prophet. So poignant and powerful. It is a good bit like someone stepping up behind you and taking half the load off your back.

    Liked by 4 people

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  10. Hariod Brawn
    May 15, 2015

    The words of this masterpiece never fail to move me – timeless, beautiful wisdom for every woman and man. H ❤

    Liked by 3 people

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  11. Tiny
    May 15, 2015

    Wonderful message! Touches me in my core ❤

    Liked by 3 people

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  12. lorriebowden
    May 15, 2015

    Love it, Val!! That kind of acceptance can work miracles!! Many blessings for a wonderful weekend ♡

    Liked by 3 people

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  13. Infinite Living
    February 16, 2018

    Very beautiful post Val. True, Love is the essence.

    Liked by 2 people

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  14. debiriley
    February 16, 2018

    true. and good food for contemplation Val

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. derrickjknight
    February 17, 2018

    Sound words of wisdom

    Liked by 2 people

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  16. Ann Coleman
    February 17, 2018

    That is very wise, even though it sounds strange at first. But you’re right, joy and sorrow do come from the same place, and we need to embrace them both. Isn’t it odd how so many of our human struggles come our inability to understand ourselves and others? And our need to control things that are uncontrollable?

    Liked by 1 person

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