Deliberately cultivating joy, celebration, and pleasure in organizing work as both a form of resistance and a necessity for long-term sustainability.
Rabia's spiritual path was marked by profound joy—not happiness contingent on circumstances, but deep contentment rooted in love and surrender. Community organizing is exhausting, often confronting entrenched power and frequent defeats. Many organizers internalize a martyr mentality, believing joy is inappropriate when others suffer. This leads to burnout and replicates the joylessness of oppressive systems. Practicing joy as resistance means: celebrating small victories exuberantly, making organizing gatherings beautiful and delicious, creating art and music together, dancing, joking, playing. It means building cultures where people enjoy one another's company, not just tolerate it. This is not frivolous—joy is what allows humans to access creativity, hope, and resilience. Joy also signals to community members that this movement isn't grim obligation but something life-giving. When people experience joy together, they develop bonds that survive conflict and setback. Joy tells a deeper truth: even amid struggle, liberation and love are possible now. Communities that learn to celebrate together develop the spiritual and emotional reserves necessary for sustained resistance.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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