Inspirational scriptures and quotes on the wisdom of joy for meditation, prayer, enjoyment, and rejoicing. For the excerpt from the book, The Gospel of Joy, “Religions & Science Agree on Joy (So What Are We Waiting For?)”, click here.
A great joy came upon us and a peaceful carefreeness like that of our Lord. We rested ourselves in front of the gate, and we talked with each other about that which is not a distraction of this world. Rather we continued in contemplation of the faith. (The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles)
And the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and they shall come to Zion with song, and [with] everlasting joy on their heads; gladness and joy shall overtake them; sorrow and sighing shall flee. (Isaiah 51:11, Ketuvim, Tanakh)
But Allah will deliver them from the evil of that Day and will shed over them a Light of Beauty and (blissful) Joy. (The Qur'an 76:11)
But those who realize the Self are always satisfied. Having found the source of joy and fulfillment, they no longer seek happiness from the external world. (Bhagavad Gita 3:17)
But where there is unity, one without a second, that is the world of Brahman. This is the supreme goal of life, the supreme treasure, the supreme joy. Those who do not seek this supreme goal live on but a fraction of this joy. (The Upanishads)
Full of peace and joy is the bhikshu [monk] who follows the dharma and reaches the other shore beyond the flux of mortal life. (Dhammapada 25:381)
Give yourself gladness from the true vine of Christ. Satisfy yourself with the true wine, in which there is no drunkenness nor error. For it (the true wine) marks the end of drinking, since there is usually in it what gives joy to the soul and the mind, through the Spirit of God. But first, nurture your reasoning powers before you drink of it (the true wine). (The Teachings of Silvanus, The Nag Hammadi Scriptures)
Great expectation leads to great sorrow. Expecting things from others is slavishness. Give this up and seek the kingdom of experiencing the inner self. And you shall find true joy. (Jainism)
He says that the Lord is all-pervading, the embodiment of supreme joy. (Shri Guru Granth Sahib, Khalsa Consensus Translation)
It is good to live in virtue, good to have faith, good to attain the highest wisdom, good to be pure in heart and mind. Joy will be yours always. (Dhammapada 23:333)
It is the Infinite that is the source of abiding joy because it is not subject to change. Therefore seek to know the Infinite." "I seek to know the Infinite, Venerable One." (The Upanishads)
Love is my heritage, and with it joy. These are the gifts my Father gave to me. I would accept all that is mine in truth. (Excerpt from Lesson 117, A Course in Miracles)
That in which the Logos set himself, perfect in joy, was an aeon, having the form of matter, but also having the constitution of the cause, which is the one who revealed himself. (The aeon was) an image of those things which are in the Pleroma, those things which came into being from the abundance of the enjoyment of the one who exists joyously. (The Tripartite Tractate, The Nag Hammadi Scriptures)
The Master said, "Admirable indeed was the virtue of Hui! With a single bamboo dish of rice, a single gourd dish of drink, and living in his mean narrow lane, while others could not have endured the distress, he did not allow his joy to be affected by it. Admirable indeed was the virtue of Hui!" (Analects of Confucius)
They find their joy, their rest, and their light completely within themselves. United with the Lord, they attain nirvana in Brahman. (Bhagavad Gita 5:24)
When the consciousness is absorbed in the supreme consciousness, great joy and bliss are found. (Shri Guru Granth Sahib, Khalsa Consensus Translation)
You have no idea how much joy and happiness are waiting for you as a reward for your (righteous) works. (The Qur'an 32:17)
You shall let me know the way of life, the fullness of joys in Your presence. There is pleasantness in Your right hand forever. (Psalms 16:11, Ketuvim, Tanakh)
Praised be God that you have received the bounty of true joy, a spiritual condition that belongs to those who, irrespective of their material and social circumstances, strive to draw ever nearer to God and to understand and promote His Word; who are concerned with the prosperity of all people; who tread selflessly the path of justice and equity; and who allow no impediment, not even oppression or imprisonment, to deprive them of this inner joy. It is this state of true joy that stirs the heart, makes the spirit soar, increases human powers, strengthens the mind, creates hope, and kindles the flame of longing to take purposeful action for the common good. So it is that, for Bahá’ís, bringing joy to the hearts is among the most praiseworthy of deeds. (Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of Iran, Naw Ruz 2015)
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