How to connect to the Source of Love, Joy, Peace, and Freedom …..and remain there……no matter what the challenges we all face

Everyone, without exception, has the original desire to feel these attributes. However, few are able to attain these ideals consistently.

Let me talk from my own experience.

Over my lifespan, I had numerous encounters when I felt complete — loved, with a deep sense of peace and overflowing with joy, and deeply connected with people around me, even complete strangers. Nothing else can compare to that kind of experience.

Once I experienced this, naturally, I wanted to be in this state of mind more often. But this was impossible most of the time. I kept asking, what if we could live in a state of peace, joy, and love instead of anxiety, uneasiness, fear, anger, and upset even over small stuff?

This negative state of mind was my reality for a long time.

How can we enter this desirable state of mind of love, peace, and joy more often and consistently? Is it even possible? If it is possible and humans desire to live with this state of mind, WHY are we not living this way of life?

Philosophers, psychologists, and followers of different religions have tried to answer this question. Much has been discovered, and anyone studying and applying these discoveries will make progress in their lives. But the question still remains — how can this desired state of mind become permanent in the midst of all the trials we face?

When my three-year-old daughter had to be hospitalized because of a blood condition, and we needed to wait for several weeks for the test results, I had an amazing encounter with this inner source.

I was driving back from the hospital — my daughter had to stay in the hospital for testing and observation. Doctors expressed that it was a real possibility that she had Leukemia. Thirty years ago, the survival rate of Leukemia was small.

As I was driving, I felt as if I was literally losing my mind due to worry and sorrow. I was desperate to hold myself together and be present for the rest of my family. Especially my young boys.

I prayed and simply put my daughter’s life in God’s hands and told him that I was not able to cope with this situation. Anything else I could deal with, but not with the possibility that my child would not survive.

At that moment — while I was driving — a shift in my mind took place — I call it a state of grace — I felt enveloped by a deep sense of peace, warmth, and gratitude for everything: other drivers on the road, the road itself, every morsel of asphalt, every sunray. I felt completely connected to my surroundings — a sense of well-being and feeling I had come home.

As it turned out, my daughter’s condition was “Thrombocytopenia” with extremely Low Platelets — a condition that could correct itself or be managed. Today, she is married and has two lovely boys.

I am still asking WHY I could not remain in this amazing state of mind. Is God so cruel that he allows us to be in his presence only when we experience deep sorrow and despair?

Other times when I felt God’s Presence.

In my hometown, Linz, Austria, I walked across the bridge over the Danube as a man approached me. He looked well-dressed but seemed desperate. He asked me for some money to pay the bus fare.

Immediately, I heard my Father’s voice:” Don’t give any money to beggars. They get help from the government and spend it on booze anyway.” But something inside of me said, " You don’t know that. It won’t hurt to give him a small amount.”

So I opened my wallet, but I had no change. Only a $ 20 bill (equivalent to the exchange at that time) was enough for him to get a nice meal in a restaurant. I had my card for the bus. It was no problem for me to get home. But I would not be able to go and wait for my bus in my favorite coffee shop. — Has anyone ever gone to a coffee shop in Austria? — You will see that you can’t compare them to coffee shops here in America.

Now, instead, I had to wait in the cold, wet waiting room. There was no place left to sit, so I cowered on my heels and tried to stay warm. As I sat down, I thought of that man and hoped he would be somewhere comfortable and enjoy a nice meal.

I had no regrets! At this moment, I felt a warm embrace and deep joy flooding me. I felt so wonderful; it was like there was no other place so beautiful and serene.

However, this amazing experience didn’t stay with me. Was it the act of selflessness and kindness that brought me close to God? I know my natural tendency is selfishness — it seems most of us are basically selfish and self-centered — the opposite of God’s Ideal.

In the book “Happy for No Reason,” Marci Shimoff states that research shows that people who live long and happy lives are selfless. They did encounter many challenges and deep sorrows throughout their lives, but they were able to go through them, and they became stronger and increased their love and joy for others!

I cannot repeat this often enough: Gratitude is the switch that literally turns on the light inside. I can find myself in a dark place for whatever reason. But as soon as I remember and start looking at everything with gratitude — the rain — the sun — trees — anything I happen to see and intentionally feel gratitude instead of my habitual thoughts of complaints, criticism, etc. — my mood will change to a feeling of — everything is fine — yes I have problems which will not automatically disappear, but the trust that everything will be okay — that I will be able to do whatever necessary, that I will be able to cope and remain in a calm, confident state of mind. I have experienced this over and over.

It is important to remember that our environment is mostly negative, and therefore, we must make a conscious effort to keep reminding ourselves to feel grateful. There are always reasons to be grateful.

Maria De La Rosa

Enjoying Life