Into the Mystery: Awakening Joy

By Ken Steele

I was fortunate enough to be one of about 70 people who attended an evening talk on seventh of October, here in Victoria, given by James Baraz entitled "Awakening Joy." James Baraz is co-founder of Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre ,California, a Buddhist Retreat in the Vipassana tradition. Some, perhaps more widely-known, other teachers at the Center are Sylvia Boorstein, Jack Kornfield and Will Kabat-Zinn. James and his wife Jane were travelling back from Hollyhock Educational Retreat Center on Cortes Island where they had facilitated a five day session of the "Awakening Joy" course, and James gave his talk at the Gary Oak Room at Sir James Douglas School in Fairfield.

Step 1 in the "Awakening Joy " process outlined by James is to incline one's mind to what he referred to as wholesome states (e.g. compassion, generosity, love, etc) and to "disincline" (my word) unwholesome states (e.g. anger, impatience, jealousy, etc). Step 2 is to develop self awareness so that you will recognize these states in yourself; while step 3 is to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. If all this sounds interesting, but doesn't provide enough detail for you to give it a try, I suggest you read James' book "Awakening Joy: 10 Steps That Will Put You on the Road to Real Happiness."  There is also a 10-month online "Awakening Joy" course starting in February 2011 with registration commencing in November 2010.  Particulars about the course are available online at:

James emphasizes that the course does not ignore problems, nor is it intent on developing a "syrupy façade."  For those who find the thought of joy a little too "Pollyannaish" for their liking, they are encouraged to substitute it with words such as contentment, well-being or ease.