Surprised by the Moon. That’ s the title of the book I haven’ t written.
FROM THE EDITOR
Open to the Experience
Margaret Sadler | Editor-in-Chief, news & views, ARTA
Surprised by the Moon. That’ s the title of the book I haven’ t written.
It was another serendipitous moment when, turning a corner, I was taken by surprise by a full harvest moon hung just above the horizon— a moment of unanticipated beauty, a moment of pure joy. These moments strike the heart— a pileated woodpecker at my birdfeeder, a bank of daffodils, a night sky in the desert, spangled with stars.
My unwritten book title echoes C. S. Lewis’ s Surprised by Joy in which he describes joy as a feeling so intense it couldn’ t possibly be described in words. In William Wordsworth’ s poem by the same title, Wordsworth, taken suddenly by joy, is reminded instantly of the love he had lost. He is amazed that he could have been so transported as to forget for a moment his grief and be simultaneously reminded of it. This selfforgetfulness is part of the experience of joy. For“ the least division of an hour,” we step outside ourselves.
This photo says joy to me. That’ s my niece on the left( who now has a son in university) with my mother. Maria would sing a song and then jump into my mother’ s arms.
The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu, in conversation in 2015, insisted that humility is also essential to any possibility of joy. A wider perspective and an acknowledgement of our need for others opens us to this prospect. The two great men( also great friends) went on during this visit to list other aspects that open us to the experience of joy: humour, acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, and compassion.
Surely all these qualities— from selfforgetfulness to compassion— while opening each of us to experience our own joy, also raise the whole of society to the prospect of peace and joy. Some qualities come to mind without much thought; others may need to be studied.
We may need to apply ourselves. As a professional editor, I find that I tend to be critical— and that includes judgement of people, not just spelling and grammar. The broader, open acceptance of others requires more of me— more energy, more thought, more care, more time. I can be too skimpy with those elements.
I suggest that the more these qualities are in evidence, the more joy-filled our society will be.
Today I remember that acceptance, among other qualities, will open life more fully to me. May I remember that tomorrow as well. And may I be reminded at various times to practise all the qualities essential to joy.
Photo by Margaret Sadler
WINTER 2025 | 7