The Meaning of Inner Joy
In Hebrew, the word for joy and happiness is simcha, שמחה.
There is a common saying at events when we see relatives that it should be only “at simchas” meaning that hopefully, we will gather together only at happy occasions.
But how do we retain those feelings of happiness?
Although we experience happiness at joyous events, like weddings, graduations, etc., often the feeling is fleeting. It quickly dissipates afterwards, like the scent of a flower or the taste of a good cup of coffee. We experience the joy and feel wonderful, but we can't grab onto it, hold it, and return to it another time. It was great while it lasted....but then it's in the air, gone...lingering only as a memory.
Rabbi Rosenfeld describes a different shade of meaning for simcha:
Simcha means the inner joy that has nothing to do with laughter and music and everything to do with knowledge that you’re connected to something bigger, something that really counts.
It doesn’t mean things will always be easy or go smoothly, but it does mean you’re living reality – and there’s no better feeling. ~ R’ Chaim Rosenfeld
For him, simcha is a feeling that goes deeper than being surrounded by celebrants.
Simcha is the inner joy that comes from knowing that we are connecting to things beyond ourselves. This creates a lasting feeling that goes beyond the moment. Our connection to the One In The World is what we strive for.
Embedded in our memory is that part of ourselves which has a deep attachment to something larger than our physical reality. It isn’t fleeting, because it is life.
Our sages say that before our souls entered into this reality, we had that knowledge---which is why spiritual language resonates with us in the first place.
And we can call that up whenever we want to experience that inner joy, that inner simcha of being at One. We are in control of feeling connected, of feeling that we are a spiritual being with connections that go beyond the physical.
It’s not one’s circumstances that determines one’s mood; it’s one’s mood that determines the circumstances. ~ The Baal HaTanya zt”l
For us to begin to tap into that inner voice, we need a spiritual practice. Like other abilities, it takes a regular and daily commitment. There are many practices to engage in... meditation, prayer, journaling, chanting and more.
Perhaps you will try one or even more, and experience an inner joy!