Do you know the blissful feeling that can arise from swimming in natural waters? Over the past few years, I’ve often dived into the water during my travels. In Switzerland, I had my favorite mountain streams and lakes where I could swim daily. During my hiking trip along the English coast, I enjoyed diving into the rolling sea. On my cycling journey along the Rhine, I loved plunging into a river branch on a warm summer day. Swimming connects me with nature and brings me pure happiness.

Moments like these often feel magical. A kingfisher suddenly darts by. A dipper performs its little dance and dives underwater. A flock of gannets plunges into the sea, hunting for fish. Wild geese fly high in the sky in a giant V-formation. At such moments, I radiate joy. My deep love and appreciation for nature allow me to experience this profound happiness.

The feeling of joy is what all people long for. Behind all our desires lies this quest for joy. Many seek it in material or worldly pleasures. But that kind of happiness is only temporary. When you get what you desire, it often loses its appeal after a while, and the feeling of joy fades. By fulfilling your desire, you momentarily give yourself permission to feel happy.

When you realize that you’re the one giving yourself permission to feel joy, you start to understand that chasing worldly desires is looking in the wrong place. This insight can profoundly transform your life. From that moment, you shift your focus inward to search for joy.

You might wonder: What have you found within yourself? And how can I find it too? I’ll try to describe it, but as with all inner experiences, words will always fall short. You only know what an orange tastes like once you’ve tasted it. So, take a bite!

What I’ve discovered, I call the Ocean of Joy. Once you find this Ocean, everything changes. You no longer need to chase desires in the physical world. You can still enjoy them, but you know that true joy is always within you. This realization brings me an enormous sense of freedom. Wherever I am, whatever my circumstances, I can simply close my eyes and tune into the Ocean of Joy.

Perhaps you’ve already guessed it: this Ocean of Joy is nothing less than the Divine Source itself. How can you recognize God? For me, I recognize the Source through the presence of joy, love, and peace as inner experiences. Outwardly, it may appear as joyful tears, a wide smile, and goosebumps on my skin.

You cannot truly describe God, but if I were to try, I’d say: We humans are a drop in the ocean of God. Divine consciousness is the all-encompassing ocean. The soul families are the currents within the ocean. The soul is the wave, and the human incarnation is a single droplet within that wave. But we are all water! The greatest truth of life is the unity of existence.

You may have heard the saying: “God created man in His own image.” I’ve discovered this to be true. By turning inward and seeking joy, you realize that the natural state of your soul is joy, peace, and love.

By turning inward and attuning yourself to feelings of joy, appreciation, and love, you merge as a drop with the Ocean of Joy. Tuning into this inner state of feeling is your ticket to swimming in the Ocean of Joy.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive in and swim in this Ocean of Bliss! Only you can give yourself permission to feel this joy. No one else can do it for you. The methods that work for me might not work for you. Find what resonates with you.

For me, focusing my thoughts on appreciation, devotion, and love usually brings joy bubbling up in my heart. Once I find this feeling of joy-bliss-love, I focus on it until I sink deeper into the sensation. I dive deeper into the sea.

Then, I start swimming in this Ocean of Joy. And I wish the same for you. Perhaps these words are your ticket to take the plunge. Or at least, they may spark your curiosity. Only you can explore and experience it for yourself. Enjoy this inner attunement, and who knows? Maybe I’ll see you swimming there! We can marvel at the magic together, deal?