Mind is the creation of maya — God’s illusory energy — and only the lord is capable of subduing it

In the spiritual context, the word bliss is extensively used to denote the ultimate pleasure or happiness. As a matter of fact, a soul has three intrinsic qualities, of which anand or bliss is one. What does an English dictionary sayIJ It defines this word as extreme happiness. In the material sense, what give a lot of pleasure or happinessIJ The most important is an act related to sex. Then comes the pleasure that we get through other senses like eating a tasty meal, seeing a good film, listening to nice music, smelling a fragrant flower, etc. Pleasures of the mind are all about success, fame, power, wealth, knowledge, beauty, renunciation, and so on. As for the pleasure of the intelligence, it is all about finding solutions, being creative, taking correct decisions, among others.

We have experienced most of these; therefore, we are aware of them. let us now talk about bliss. What is it likeIJ It has to be pure, that is, not tainted like pleasures of defeating someone. It has to be in goodness, not in passion and certainly not in darkness. It must be faultless like the feeling one gets after helping someone. It should be based on dharma or righteousness. It should be transparent for all to see. It should be lasting and not transitory like sense pleasures. It should elevate and give the feeling of fulfillment.

By comparing bliss with sense pleasures, we find that bliss does not suffer from many defects inherent in different sense pleasures. Still, we are eternally seeking sense pleasures alone. WhyIJ Because we have convinced ourselves that way; we are conditioned that way. But if we are wise, we will seek bliss. However, the difficulty lies in convincing ourselves. And to be able to do that, we have to control our minds, and gain spiritual intelligence. Both are difficult, but the mind presents a more serious challenge. WhyIJ Because it tries to defeat all attempts to control it. The mind, which is material in nature, is particularly averse to linking with God. What does the mind like to doIJ It is eternally seeking worldly pleasures.

Is there no way the mind can be made to behave betterIJ There are ways like practice and detachment, but anyone who has attempted it realises at some point that he or she needs God’s help. After all, the mind is the creation of maya — God’s illusory energy. And only God is capable of subduing it. Spiritual intelligence can be obtained by studying scriptures, hearing from realised souls, discussing with devotees and being inquisitive.

Once we gain control over mind, we are ready to experience bliss. For this, we have to give this activity quality time on a regular basis. We need to have the company of God who is the source of all bliss. Chanting God’s name helps. Meditation on any form of God is crucial. And in the course of time while continuing this we can find rewards from God coming our way. And what we will experience will give an entirely new meaning to pleasure, which is pure, noble, just and permanent, besides being elevating and fulfilling.

The writer is a spiritual commentator