The experience of real happiness (ananda-bliss)
Bliss lies always within our heart, it is an attribute of Consciousness, but we
do not experience it because our mind is always agitated and
extroverted and we are always in a state of emotional turmoil.
We
can experience happiness only when the mind is tranquil and rests in
our heart. Desires, fears, anger etc. keep the mind always agitated and
the prana (vital energy) contracted. This condition is experienced as suffering.
When
a
desire is fulfilled the mind becomes for a while calm, concentrated and
introverted. In
this
mental state the mind reflects naturally the happiness of our inner Self
or Consciousness. But
we do
not recognize it because the ego puts a veil in this process. We think
that we experience happiness because we got the desired object.
Due
to fulfillment of desires we can experience a little happiness but due to
desire, attachment and greed we experience a lot of psychological suffering,
bondage
and separation. We cannot have desires and pleasures without
experiencing suffering because all psychological disorders and defects (fear, anger, depression, jealousy, avarice, pride,etc.) are only modifications of desire. The impulse or the energy of desire
has a heavy vibration which is experienced as suffering. More over
desires are insatiable and there is no way to be
free from the painful impulses of desire if we try always to fulfill
them.
The spiritual way to happiness
On
the other hand there is a way to experience the happiness of our true Self
within, without to suffer painful consequences. This is the spiritual way.
By purification, self-control, discernment, non-attachment, meditation and
self-enquiry we can consciously abide always in our heart and experience the
bliss of our own existence.
Freedom,
peace and bliss is what we really are but the ego and desires cloud our
intelligence and we fail to realize it.
Ego is our true enemy and
not the objects by themselves. If by intense spiritual practices we eliminate
from our psych this psychological virus of ego and desires we can experience always unalloyed bliss,
peace and freedom.This is our destiny and our
eternal abode.
May God bless you realize your true nature in this very life and be Free for ever!
Read also:
Peace is the realm of infinite Bliss - Swami Sivananda
