In our normal life, we have never experienced Ananda. We don't even know that 'causeless happiness' is possible! Then how come we all have this yearning for Ananda?
You have the yearning, because it is your true nature!
Let me explain:
In the Taittreya Upanishad there is a beautiful shloka (hymn) which says,
Ethas aatmanaha aakashasya sambhootah
Akaashaat vaayuhu, vayor agnihi
Agner aapaha, aapah prithvihi
Prithviyor oushadah...
This shloka talks about how the whole universe was created from the five major elements -- Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether or Space. Man was also created from these five elements. That is why he always has a deep longing to tune himself to these five elements, to return to his Source. In various ways, he tries to tune himself to these five major energies. Through idol worship, he tries to tune himself to Earth energy. By taking dips in holy rivers, he tries to tune himself to Water energy. He communicates with Fire energy through homas and yagas (fire rituals), and with Air energy through the chanting of mantras. In all these ways,with all these methods, he attunes himself to the elements. But all these are external methods for attunement. Only the subtle, highly refined energy of Aakasha cannot be accessed by external means, it has to be experienced internally. Dhyana or Meditation is the method by which we attune ourselves to Aakasha energy.
When we enter into meditation, we close the circuit. We discover the only missing link between ourselves and our Source. We return to our Source. We feel complete, we feel secure. That is why meditation takes you into the dimension of Ananda or Bliss.
So the longing for Ananda is nothing but the yearning to return to our natural state. And that is why, whether you are aware of it or not, each of us carries this longing for meditation inside ourselves.
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This excerpt has been taken from the book: "Meditation is for You" -- an introduction to the science and art of meditation
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