The dance of joy

DAAJI shares a few simple steps to help us declutter what’s weighing us down, let go of what no longer sparks joy, and create space for the freedom and peace we’re meant to feel.

One may become happy by dancing—
like sunlight finds its way through
moving leaves.
The body stirs, and the soul
remembers something it had forgotten how to
feel.

But truer still—
it is happiness that makes one dance.
A rhythm born not from music,
but from the quiet blossoming of
being.

And this—
this cannot be fabricated.
No smile stitched in shadow,
no step rehearsed in hope,
can mimic the grace of joy unbound.

For joy is a flame
that dances us.

Life can be a rollercoaster for young people—school, studies, family, friends, and those maddening moments when the Wi-Fi decides to take a vacation. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or stuck. So, when I talk to teens about diving into something deeper, like spiritual liberation, they inevitably ask me, “How?”

It might sound abstract but think of it as leveling up in a video game. Each level you unlock isn’t about beating a challenge; it’s about discovering new layers of awareness, clarity, and freedom. And what’s the secret? Tidying up your inner world is like a Marie Kondo session for the mind and heart.

When the mind is free from these inner burdens, 
it moves with clarity, courage, and quiet confidence
 that transforms how you see yourself and the world.

Step 1: Lighten the heart—release the grip of desires

Think of desires as little weeds in your mind, popping up and spreading as they coax you to chase more, to be more, to have more. It’s not that wanting something is bad, it’s when those weeds grow unchecked and start tangling around your happiness, anchoring it to conditions. Remember that time you wanted the latest sneakers everyone was talking about? Or maybe it was getting invited to a party, or reaching a certain number of likes on a post. When you finally got it, the excitement lasted for a while, but then… it faded. And before long, something else became the next “must-have.” The art of lightening the heart lies in recognizing this cycle and stepping out of it. Instead of letting your happiness hinge on getting or achieving something, learn to enjoy the moment as it is. Desires don’t need to define you; let them go before they take root. When you do this, your heart becomes lighter, freer, and open to the effortless joys of life.

Step 2: Free the mind—break the chains of fear and judgment

Imagine invisible chains binding your thoughts, chains forged by fears, self-doubt, and the judgments of others. These aren’t always dramatic; they’re often subtle, like a quiet voice saying, “What if I’m not good enough?” or “What will they think of me?” Maybe you’ve hesitated to post something online because you were afraid no one would comment, or you stayed quiet in class even though you knew the answer. Breaking these chains is a process of awareness. Notice the stories you’ve been telling yourself and gently rewrite them. Let go of the need to prove, the need to please, and the need to perfect. When the mind is free from these inner burdens, it moves with clarity, courage, and quiet confidence that transforms how you see yourself and the world.

Step 3: Empty the backpack—let the past stay where it belongs

Picture the mind as a backpack stuffed to the brim with every hurt, regret, and embarrassing memory you’ve ever carried. It’s heavy, isn’t it? And it slows you down. Think about that time you tripped in front of everyone, or when you said something silly in class and felt like you’d never live it down. To be present, you don’t need to erase the past, just stop carrying it everywhere. Take a moment to unpack. Forgive what needs forgiving, release what needs releasing, and leave behind what no longer serves you. With an unburdened mind, the present becomes vibrant and alive, a place where peace is no longer an idea but an experience.

Forgive what needs forgiving, release what needs releasing, 
and leave behind what no longer serves you. 
With an unburdened mind, the present becomes vibrant and alive, 
a place where peace is no longer an idea but an experience.

Step 4: Embrace the divine—your soul’s true home

At this point, you’re not just lighter. You’re free. Free to experience life in its most expansive form. It’s like stepping through the doors of a grand, sacred hall where you have access to the highest wisdom and the deepest peace. There are no queues, no barriers, just the warmth and light of the universe, embracing you. You walk alongside those who have walked this path before you—Swami Vivekananda, Babuji Maharaj, Thérèse of Lisieux, and you realize that you were never alone. This wisdom and light was always within you, and you’ve always had access to it.

Spiritual liberation is yours!

Illustrations by GAYATRI PACHPANDE