Ask The Master: 28 Jan 2008

What exactly do you mean by the state of Ananda? Can we experience it only through meditation?

There are hundreds of ways I can explain Ananda, but only one way you can understand it -- by experiencing it!

Anyways, I will try and give you an explanation.

In life, we have all experienced some moments of great happiness -- but it has always been for a reason. Isn't that true? You are happy because you got a promotion, you are happy because you were cured of some disease, you are happy because you bought a new car (or because your neighbor's new car is giving him trouble!)

At the time when you are happy, you feel that nothing can touch your happiness. But the same day, you have a fight with your spouse, and start feeling that your life is nothing but misery! In fact, all pleasure ultimately leads to pain. The state of pleasure cannot remain forever -- and when it changes or ceases, you feel pain. Only that happiness which you experience for no reason is permanent, because it doesn't depend on anything.

The word 'Ananda' itself means, 'that which cannot be reduced, which cannot be lost'. Ananda is not a word for happiness! You will be surprised to know, it simply means 'that which cannot be reduced or lost'.

Ananda (Bliss) is not pleasure. Ananda is that tranquil, silent state which you experience when you have gone beyond both pain and pleasure. It is the state in which both pain and pleasure have ceased to affect you. You could say, Ananda is the state of 'permanent and causeless tranquility'.

It is not that you can experience Ananda only through meditation -- but meditation is a sure path. Meditation takes you beyond the push and pull of daily living. When you meditate, you expand beyond the narrow limits of your body, of your ego. Once you experience the sense of oneness with All, you will naturally drop your attachment to these daily pleasures and pains. It is a difficult concept to understand intellectually. But with sincere meditation, you will have the experience, you will have a glimpse of Ananda. Then you will understand.

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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