Bliss (n) an experience of perfect happiness & contentment; A state of peace, ease & joy.
Bliss… that perfect balance of peace, ease & joy – like the first sip of coffee in the morning, the simple splendour of a sunset, the soft warmth of autumn sunshine on your back, a butterfly floating lightly on the breeze … Ahhh…
These simple, everyday moments offer a gateway into the experience of bliss – and support the belief that bliss is a very real, tangible & achievable state. But how to stay in this place of harmony & contentment – moving beyond momentary glimpses into cultivating a much deeper, enduring state of bliss? My experiences have taught me that the key to building a blissful life starts with first noticing what brings you peace, ease & joy – and then making a conscious choice and commitment to create space & time in your life to follow this bliss.
Debunking the Myths
For some, the idea of bliss seems a little too removed from reality, a bit ‘woo woo’ – reserved for new-age types & love ’n’ light seeking yogis. It feels intangible, inaccessible and, for many, too far removed from the daily grind of life… right?
Well… not exactly.
The quest for peace, happiness & purpose (aka bliss!) is universal – as old as existence itself. And this state is absolutely something that we can both experience and cultivate in ourselves & in our lives. Furthermore, it’s not something we need to find, get or search for: it already exists within each & every one of us – we are born with it. You only need to gaze upon the innocent wonderment in the eyes of an infant, witness the pure, undiluted joy of a young child experiencing new flavours, sensations, places and people to see the truth in this. Sadly though, with the relentless busyness of life, its stresses, pressures – the constant striving to do more, achieve more, become more – it’s so easy to lose track of this part of ourselves. To lose connection with our true ‘bliss-nature’.
However, this doesn’t make bliss any less real or relevant in our modern lives. We have all experienced moments of bliss at some point – perhaps as a feeling of being ‘in the flow,’ ‘on a roll’ or ‘in the zone’. That feeling of harmony – of effortlessly attracting, achieving or receiving what brings you a deep sense of joy, satisfaction, purpose – holds the key to bringing you back into connection with your bliss-nature.
Bliss, harmony, flow, happiness, peace…
The fact is that these ideals or states of being are all variations of the same energy. Simply a word for the experience of full presence, alignment, contentment, connection – and its subsequent feeling of joy, ease, lightness, rightness. And even the sceptics among us have to admit that this sounds like a pretty positive place to be, right? Something we want more of in our lives for sure!
How can we cultivate the state of bliss in our busy lives?
The truth is that there are as many paths to bliss as there are grains of sand on a beach – and for each of us, the way there will look slightly different. While for me a daily practice of yoga, meditation, aromatherapy & deep rest holds the key to remaining in my state of flow, for others it might need to look quite different. What remains consistently the same though is the presence of three key aspects: focus, purpose & consistency. Below you’ll find a guide on how to use these to tune into your bliss and bring more of it into your life.
So, grab a cuppa & your journal… and let’s get started!
Step 1: Find your Focus
Finding your focus (and keeping it as simple, realistic & single-pointed as you can) is a really important first step, as distractions will easily draw you out of your flow.
What brings you joy? Begin by writing a list of practices or activities that bring you feelings of peace & joy. Try not to overthink it – just let this be pretty free.
Choose one of these activities? When & how will you realistically be able to work this into your daily life?
How will you stay focused? Perhaps having a buddy & setting a resolve to commit to this for a month; displaying it in a prominent place in your home. Jot some ideas down.
Step 2: Connect with your purpose
Now let’s ignite a sense of purpose & passion (which in yoga philosophy describes our dharma, or higher purpose). Loving what you do and feeling a sense of purpose when you’re doing it, is super motivating! It is therefore much easier to train the brain to stay focused. This goes back to really tuning into what brings you joy, what brings you back to your truest expression of your Self – and then ringfencing time in your life for this passion.
Consider your why. Go back to the activity you chose in Step 1. Jot down what it is that you love about this activity. What qualities does it bring to your life and to the lives of others?
Step 3: Commit!
Finally, and closely tied to the first two aspects, is the importance of consistency & perseverance: ensuring that you won’t give up (even in those moments when it’s difficult, uncomfortable, or simply tempting to not bother!) Remember, anything worth having will come with an element of challenge – and when you’re establishing a routine or practice, consistency is key.
Identify how you will stay on track (again, keep it simple & realistic) and the practical supports that might need to be in place to ensure it actually can & will happen. And bring your loved ones in on the action – so they can cheer you on!
Finally
Remember that our aim here is to feel happier, more peaceful & easeful – so try to keep it light, easy and playful! Or, in the words of Sadguru,
“Happiness is like a butterfly that, when pursued, is always beyond your grasp, but which – if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”
And as ever, Blissful Beings, I’d love to hear how you go… & how your bliss grows! So, please do get in touch!
With much love,
Katy Ananda x
