Mudita

Mudita.  Let’s talk about mudita.  We NEED to talk about mudita.  MUDITA is the joy that comes from delighting in other people’s well-being, successes and good fortune.  It is pure joy unadulterated by self-interest. In the age of social media trolling and cut-throat rat race competition, we need more mudita. Trolling, as you may know, really, really bothers me (see my previous post Don’t Feed The Trolls). Aside from the blatant, nasty attacks on people’s ideas and profiles by complete strangers, trolling can be much more subtle and ubiquitous. For example, bumper stickers.  Oy, the bumper stickers.  Don’t get me wrong, I love them.  The back of my car looks like the refrigerator in a very prolific toddler’s house.  But, man, there are some nasty ones out there. Here are some of my (un)favorites:

 

 

 

Or, trolling can be thinly veiled as a “clever” retort to someone’s lifestyle, like this gem I ran across on a vegan friend’s feed:

Here is my question: Why do we do this? Why do we find someone else’s veganism so threatening? Why do we feel the need to thumb our nose at people who are trying to do right by the planet? Why must we mock the hard work and achievement of running a marathon? Why do we care at all about someone else’s choices (unless, of course, it is obviously harmful or hurtful)? I get that these people are trying to be funny and witty, but, it’s not funny. It’s sad.

Are we holding the accomplishments of others up to a mirror and seeing our perceived failures in the reflection? Are we just chronically insecure? Or, are we afraid the well of good fortune will be used up should one person take too much? I’ve never understood this.  Good fortune is not a zero sum game where another’s win means our loss.  There is an infinite well of joy. And, in fact, according to the quantum laws of the universe, joy is like a boomerang– the more we put out there, the more that comes back to us. But, unfortunately, the same holds true for the opposite. When we downplay and dismiss the accomplishments of others, we are just spewing out a fog of negativity that will only increase, causing us to choke and wither instead of flourish and grow.

The conscious practice of mudita can really change the way we interact and experience the world.  Imagine what our lives would be like if we were constantly trying to lift our friends/co-workers/classmates/neighbors up instead of tearing them down. What if we tried being gracious in defeat? What if we tried using other’s accomplishments as motivation and inspiration? I will most likely never run a marathon or be a full-blown vegan, but I understand and deeply respect the commitment it takes to do both.  When my friends post about their races and activism, I use it as fuel to keep running and eating well, even though my particular choices and path may be different from theirs.  And, then, I send them a short message of congratulation and encouragement.  Why wouldn’t I?