Poet Ross Gay talks with Brittany Luse about the complexity of joy and finding delight in the midst of sorrow. They discuss how joy and sorrow can coexist, the importance of connection and sharing sorrows, and finding joy as a form of resistance and incitement to joy. They emphasize the significance of staying connected to one another and seeking help, and reflect on the power of writing about joy in troubling times.
Joy can be found and strengthened in life's hardest moments by relying on one another.
Grace, connection, and embracing complexities are essential in cultivating joy and entanglement.
Deep dives
The Power of Joy and Connection
Ross Gay, poet and author of 'Insiting Joy,' discusses the importance of taking joy seriously. He believes that joy is not just an occasional feeling but a constant presence that comes from our interlocking lives. Joy is found in connection and the practice of entanglement with others. Gay also explores the relationship between joy and sorrow, emphasizing that joy needs sorrow to exist, as sorrow allows us to reach across and care for one another. By embracing the messiness of life and acknowledging our own complexities, we can cultivate joy and find meaning in practicing collective care.
The Role of Grace and Entanglement
Gay delves into the idea of grace and entanglement as essential elements in cultivating joy. Grace involves recognizing the ever-changing nature of ourselves and others, and embracing the complexities of life. He emphasizes the importance of connection, sharing sorrows, and reaching out to loved ones in times of need. In contrast, the idea of purity, which seeks to categorize and create boundaries, hinders the practice of joy and entanglement. By letting go of rigid expectations and being curious about ourselves and others, we can fully experience joy in its messy and intertwined nature.
Joy in Times of Collapse and Survival
Gay reflects on the role of joy in times of collapse and survival, where the world seems to be ending. He highlights the importance of acknowledging survival strategies utilized by communities facing adversity and finding joy in the midst of turmoil. Gay emphasizes the need to resist nostalgia and instead focus on the present, recognizing the connections that help us navigate difficult times. By recognizing the evidence of how we survive and supporting one another, we can cultivate joy even in the toughest of circumstances.
Looking for joy? Then it might be worth exploring your sorrow. In his collection of essays, Inciting Joy, poet Ross Gay considers the breadth of joy, arguing that it can be found – and even strengthened – in life's hardest moments. After all, those are the times when we rely on one another. Brittany Luse sits down with the poet to discuss the complexity of joy and creating meaning in life.