Sadness and Joy are the final pairing in our emotional practice. Sadness, or Karuna, is a natural, healthy emotion that arises when we face disappointment, loss, or attachment. It can lead to depression if not processed. We feel sadness in the body as lethargy, withdrawal, or physical discomfort. However, sadness can also open our hearts, fostering compassion, tolerance, and understanding, as seen in figures like the Dalai Lama. Recognising impermanence, sadness can lead us to deeper joy, or Hasya, which expresses itself as happiness, delight, and euphoria. Joy is vulnerable, tethered to sadness, and calls us to be present and appreciate life’s beauty. While joy can be fleeting, emotional agility allows us to navigate both emotions. A “Gratitude List” or “Annoy and Joy” list helps cultivate resilience, balancing sadness with the joy that brings fulfilment and freedom. By embracing both emotions, we open to greater love, creativity, and compassion.

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