The word is 'mudita'. It is defined later in this message.
Below, I post a 'thank you' note to those who were able to come to my birthday celebration, and a preface to those who could not.
I am reposting it here because so often, Mudita is what powers these boards. I have read the exchanges here long before Ho Ho Tai began posting and, with a few exceptions, so many of them involve folks gathering around to comfort or offer aid in time of need, or to celebrate the successes and happy life events of others.
Mudita. May it's warmth always shine on you.
Friends -
The following is a message I sent to the folks who attended my birthday celebration - my entry into my 70th year. For those of you who weren't able to attend for various reasons, I want you to know that you were present too - as a book, a handmade doll, a painting, letters, or in shared experiences and happy memories of times past . I hope to see the day when we, too, can celebrate something together, if not a birthday or special holiday, then a celebration of once again being together in person.
(Note: I am reposting this message at Dimensions because I consider many of you to be friends too, through our exchanges of posts. Many of you came to mind during that celebration also.)
From:Ho Ho Tai
Subject: I learned a new word this week.
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006
Friends -
The word is 'mudita'. It appeared in a story in the Star/Tribune on Sunday, October 15, 2006 in an article on vanity license plates entitled "Meditate on this happy sentiment". For some reason, I couldn't locate it on-line, but it concerns a teacher of meditation who has that word inscribed on her auto license plate.
To quote from the article, "Mudita . . . is a word in the Pali language, which is the language of the early Buddhist scriptures. It means "taking delight in the happiness of others."
I 'Googled' the word and came up with rather more elaborate and extensive meanings, but the initial definition will suffice for this message.
For me, Mudita is what I experienced while watching and mingling with all of you at my birthday celebration. I saw my friends, old and new, enjoying the food, the wine, lively conversation with each other, and felt a spirit of joie de vivre permeating the very air. Even Lucy and Gladys, our household goddesses in charge of love and laughter, seemed to be a bit more luminous.
While I didn't even know the word yet, it was just what I was feeling; a sense of delight at the happiness of my friends, and a feeling of satisfaction that Mrs Ho Ho and I had helped to bring it about.
And you, too - every one of you - are entitled to a bit of mudita too, for the happiness and satisfaction that you brought to us, by being present, by being our friends, by having a place in our lives, and we in yours.
Thank you, All, for coming. It may be the last time ever that we all celebrate together - or not - but Mrs Ho Ho and I will continue to celebrate the memory for as long as we live.
Ho Ho and Mrs Ho Ho
Below, I post a 'thank you' note to those who were able to come to my birthday celebration, and a preface to those who could not.
I am reposting it here because so often, Mudita is what powers these boards. I have read the exchanges here long before Ho Ho Tai began posting and, with a few exceptions, so many of them involve folks gathering around to comfort or offer aid in time of need, or to celebrate the successes and happy life events of others.
Mudita. May it's warmth always shine on you.
Friends -
The following is a message I sent to the folks who attended my birthday celebration - my entry into my 70th year. For those of you who weren't able to attend for various reasons, I want you to know that you were present too - as a book, a handmade doll, a painting, letters, or in shared experiences and happy memories of times past . I hope to see the day when we, too, can celebrate something together, if not a birthday or special holiday, then a celebration of once again being together in person.
(Note: I am reposting this message at Dimensions because I consider many of you to be friends too, through our exchanges of posts. Many of you came to mind during that celebration also.)
From:Ho Ho Tai
Subject: I learned a new word this week.
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006
Friends -
The word is 'mudita'. It appeared in a story in the Star/Tribune on Sunday, October 15, 2006 in an article on vanity license plates entitled "Meditate on this happy sentiment". For some reason, I couldn't locate it on-line, but it concerns a teacher of meditation who has that word inscribed on her auto license plate.
To quote from the article, "Mudita . . . is a word in the Pali language, which is the language of the early Buddhist scriptures. It means "taking delight in the happiness of others."
I 'Googled' the word and came up with rather more elaborate and extensive meanings, but the initial definition will suffice for this message.
For me, Mudita is what I experienced while watching and mingling with all of you at my birthday celebration. I saw my friends, old and new, enjoying the food, the wine, lively conversation with each other, and felt a spirit of joie de vivre permeating the very air. Even Lucy and Gladys, our household goddesses in charge of love and laughter, seemed to be a bit more luminous.
While I didn't even know the word yet, it was just what I was feeling; a sense of delight at the happiness of my friends, and a feeling of satisfaction that Mrs Ho Ho and I had helped to bring it about.
And you, too - every one of you - are entitled to a bit of mudita too, for the happiness and satisfaction that you brought to us, by being present, by being our friends, by having a place in our lives, and we in yours.
Thank you, All, for coming. It may be the last time ever that we all celebrate together - or not - but Mrs Ho Ho and I will continue to celebrate the memory for as long as we live.
Ho Ho and Mrs Ho Ho
