(continued from last issue)

Definition:

• Happiness: Happiness is a pleasant sensation experienced by the embodied soul through the five senses, mind and/or intellect.

      Since this experience is obtained through the five senses, mind and intellect, one can comprehend this definition.

• Bliss: Bliss is a favorable spiritual experience of the embodied soul doing spiritual practice (Jivatma) or the God-realized soul (Shivatma) when the functions of the five senses, mind and intellect have ceased.

      Since most of us have not experienced Bliss and many are not even aware that there is something to experience beyond the five senses, mind and intellect, most people find it difficult to understand the definition of Bliss.

Why is it difficult to explain the meaning of Bliss?

    Just as one blind since birth will find it difficult to accept the fact that the world is visible, it is similarly difficult to explain the meaning of Bliss.

    Bliss has to be experienced; it cannot be expressed in words.

The difference between happiness and Bliss

    The difference between happiness and Bliss can be explained better using the following example of a gold bracelet:

    The pleasant sensation that one gets from a formless object, in this case, the gold used to make a bracelet, is termed as Bliss, while the pleasure obtained from the object having a form, that is the bracelet, can be termed as happiness.

    In reality one gets only happiness from gold, this example is only given to illustrate the difference between happiness and Bliss.

    Continued in the next issue.

[Reference taken from the Sanatan organization’s publication, Vol. 1B: Spirituality, compiled by His Holiness Dr. Jayant Athavale and Her Holiness Dr. Mrs. Kunda Athavale.]