After my last newsletter (Mudita – the antidote to toxicity?) many of you wrote and shared vulnerably with me about this truth: 'This is beautiful, but it's hard. What do I do when I can't feel happy for them?'
The text Path to Freedom describes Mudita in this way: When one sees or hears some person’s qualities are esteemed by others and that person is at peace and is joyful, one thinks: “Sadhu! Sadhu! May he continue joyful for a long time!” (Sadhu means great)
The path to Mudita isn't about bypassing our difficult feelings but tending to them with kindness first. In Buddhism, the idea of "turning the light inwards" before we can genuinely connect with another's joy shows that we must acknowledge our own inner weather without judgment first.
Here are a few ways you can do this:
- The "acknowledgment & allow" pause: When you notice envy or resentment arise, briefly pause and internally say, "This is a moment of suffering. It's okay I feel this way." This simple act of naming the feeling drains it of its power and creates a tiny space between the trigger and your reaction.
- The "separate the strands" inquiry: When the pang of envy or the cloud of resentment arises, try not to judge it as "bad" or push it away. Instead, see if you can get curious about it for a moment. Imagine the feeling not as a solid block, but as a tangled knot of yarn. Our work isn't to cut the knot, but with gentle patience, to loosen the strands to see what it’s made of. "Is my discomfort about their joy, or is it about my own fear? Fear I'm falling behind? Fear that their gain is my loss?" Often, the block isn't about the other person at all, but about our own personal narrative of lack or insecurity.
- The "wish for oneself" bridge: this can be seen as a practical step from practicing Metta (loving-kindness). If a friend's promotion stirs envy, you might first wish for your own stability and opportunities. Once you've tended to that inner ache, you'll often find a clearer space from which you can then genuinely reconnect with happiness for them.
The moments where Mudita feels impossible are not roadblocks; they are the most important part of the practice. They are invitations for self-compassion, which is the unshakable foundation upon which all other empathetic joy is built. The ultimate message is one of relief: your capacity for Mudita isn't broken when you feel envy; it's simply waiting for you to care for the part of you that hurts first.
Here is where you can find essences that will help with self-compassion.
The 2026 Essence has been specifically created to support the momentum of a Universal Year 1, inviting for a fresh start and decisive action.
Ian says, “Gaia, Purifying and Dynamis Essences are particularly effective when used directly after completing a two-week period with the 2026 Essence and they will have tremendous positive impact on your wellbeing in 2026.”
Gaia is also available as a pendant.
This month, Fleurs de Vie will be closed on Wednesday the 18th and Friday the 27th.
Australian Bush Flower Essences
Level 1 and Level 2 courses are given in French by Nadia Jacquemin, either via Zoom or in person.
Level 1 online:
- Every Tuesday from 12 February to 26 March 2026
In person:
- 28 and 29 March in Lille (Nord)
White Light Essences workshop 30 and 31 May (in English with Ian White):
Meet Ian White, creator of the Australian Bush Flower Essences, enjoy an unforgettable weekend with the White Light Essences
You can find more information about these workshops on our website.
Alaskan Essences
Zoom class "Using Essences to Navigate the Here and Now" - February 21, 6:00pm CET - to discover essences to help you navigate the times we are in now!
Many of us would agree that the world feels more chaotic than ever. While it’s easy to focus on everything happening “out there,” it’s essential to be mindful of where—and how—we spend our precious energy.
In this class, we will explore flower, gem and environmental essences that help us balance the energy we spend on the outer and inner worlds, helping us cultivate greater presence and clarity. Being on this planet, at this time, is no coincidence, we are here for a reason. We’ll discuss essences that help us remember why we are here, what we came to do, and how to integrate life’s experiences with greater awareness and consciousness.
No matter what we face in our personal or collective lives, resilience, inner vitality, and joy are vital companions. With the support of Nature’s essences, accessing these qualities becomes more natural and sustainable as we navigate life’s challenges. Including a Q&A session towards the end.
Click here for registration and more information. It will take you to the Alaskan Essences web site.
During February 2026,
take advantage of our special offer of
10% discount
off the Spirit-in-Nature Flower Essences.
These essences were created in 1977 by Lila Devi based on the psycho-emotional descriptions of different fruits and vegetables of Paramhansa Yogananda, a yogi master. These 20 essences are prepared from flowers taken from vegetable patches and orchards situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and on the Island of Kauai. According to Lila, flower essences help us find balance, harmony and inner well-being so that we can become the masters of our life. They are available in 15ml dropper bottles, stock strength.
Valid for internet orders only, during the month of February 2026. Cannot be combined with other valid discounts. While stocks last.