Joy to the Fishes in the Deep Blue Sea | May 19, 2026

Recorded at Insight Meditation Satsang Online, May 19, 2026 DESCRIPTION Muditā! The undersung hero/ine/x of the brahmavihāras. Joy at the wellbeing of others. The most radically anti-capitalist thing to cultivate—maybe even more than compassion. It's easy to see how it makes the world a better place to want folks' suffering to end, but to actively celebrate their good fortune?? Before we can do this, we have to overcome negativity bias and actually admit that good fortune even exists. Do you focus so much on suffering and oppression that you minimize people's experience of things going well? Muditā is outward-focused gratitude. The kinky folks call it "compersion" (delighting in someone else's pleasure). It's the actual opposite of jealousy. Not. Easy. But divine! Let's explore the strange world of positivity tonight, people. (You know it's my weak suit... but I'll do my best.) CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro to Mudita 04:00 Negativity Bias 10:00 Self-Appreciation 15:00 The Loving Observer 28:00 Does Joy Need to Be Deserved? SEAN OAKES Sean Feit Oakes, PhD (he/they, queer, Puerto Rican & English, living on Pomo ancestral land in Northern California), teaches Buddhism and somatic practice focusing on the integration of meditation, trauma resolution, and social justice. He received Insight Meditation teaching authorization from Jack Kornfield, and wrote his dissertation on extraordinary states in Buddhist meditation and experimental dance. Sean holds certifications in Somatic Experiencing (SEP, assistant), and Yoga (E-RYT 500, YACEP), and teaches at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, East Bay Meditation Center, Insight Timer, and elsewhere. LINKS Website: http://www.seanfeitoakes.com Community Page:   / in.it.to.end.it   Spirit Rock: https://www.spiritrock.org/sean-feit-... Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/seanoakes GIVING All of Dr. Oakes’ independent teaching is offered on the model of Gift Economy, in the Buddhist tradition of dāna, inspired giving. Support of our teaching and community is gratefully received. Thank you for your generosity. Donate: https://www.seanfeitoakes.com/gift-ec... Blessings on your path.