When we develop the skills to ease the mind into joy, attend to joy as it arises, and uplift the mind, then even in the middle of great difficulty, we may sometimes find moments when we can access peace and joy. Each moment of peace and joy in the midst of emotional pain is like the occasional oasis in a vast desert. The oases let you cross the desert. In the same way, having access to moments of peace and joy lets you navigate emotional difficulties, even when they are vast.
