Sat-Chit-Ananda: The Path to Eternal Bliss
For those seeking peace, the practice of yoga becomes essential. It is through a tranquil mind that one can progress toward joy, and ultimately, toward supreme bliss (paramananda). Just as one might seek momentary pleasure through physical means, yoga provides the means to attain enduring peace. When the mind is at peace, joy arises naturally, as it is already present within us. This inner joy gradually leads us to supreme bliss, where we become self-sufficient in our contentment. No external support is needed to experience happiness. Such a person, immersed in joy, begins to see and spread joy everywhere.
Yoga: A Gateway to Tranquility
Yoga offers a path to calm the restless mind. The sage Patanjali, in his Yoga Sutras, outlined methods to quiet the mind. According to him, when the flow of thoughts ceases, the mind moves toward peace. This state is referred to as a-man, or the cessation of the mind’s activity. However, reaching this state can be challenging. Most individuals, despite setting out on this journey, either lose their way or give up before achieving this state.
The flow of thoughts is like a raging river—it is difficult to construct a dam to control it. Only through consistent effort can one reach a state of peace or a-man. In today’s busy lives, such persistence is rare, and only a few out of thousands succeed. Even attaining a peaceful mind is no small achievement, though reaching the state of a-man remains difficult, given the demands of modern life. Nonetheless, continuous effort is worthwhile, for a calm mind is a significant milestone.
A Simple Path to Peace and Bliss
There is, however, an easier way to achieve peace and progress toward bliss without intense effort. Guru Nanak provided such a method in the Japji Sahib, which emphasizes the practice of listening with mindfulness and absorption.
Japji Sahib – Paudi 1
Sochai soch na hovai je sochi lakh vaar |
Chupai chup na hovai je lai raha liv taar |
Bhukhia bhukh na utree je bannaa puriaa bhaar |
Sahas sianapaa lakh hohi ta ik na chalai naal |
Kiv sachiaaraa ho-ee-ai kiv koodai tute paal |
Hukam rajaaee chalnaa Nanak likhiaa naal ||
The verse explains:
No matter how much you think, peace cannot be achieved through thoughts alone. Even maintaining silence cannot bring inner tranquility. Hunger, both physical and emotional, cannot be quenched by accumulating material possessions. Cleverness or countless strategies cannot resolve life’s challenges. The question arises: How can one become truthful and break free from falsehood? The answer, as Guru Nanak states, lies in aligning oneself with the divine will and accepting life as it unfolds, as written by destiny.
Japji Sahib – Paudi 8
Suniai sidh peer sur naath |
Suniai dharat dhaval aakaas |
Suniai deep loh paataal |
Suniai pohi na sakai kaal |
Nanak bhagtaa sadaa vigaas |
Suniai dukh paap kaa naas ||
This verse emphasizes listening:
Listen to the words of sages and enlightened beings. Listen to the voice of the earth and the heavens. Listen to the sounds of the oceans and the netherworld. By listening, you transcend death. Guru Nanak declares that those who listen attentively live in eternal bliss, free from sorrow and sin.
The Profound Message Behind Listening
Guru Nanak’s emphasis on listening goes beyond the literal sense of hearing hymns or scriptures. He is pointing toward a deeper practice—listening to the vibrations and sounds within oneself. Nanak speaks not just of the Guruvani or hymns sung in temples or gurdwaras but of tuning into the inner universe.
- The Sky Within (Mind): Begin by listening to the thoughts and ideas flowing within your mind. Focus on them, observe their nature, and allow them to settle.
- The Earth Within (Body): Pay attention to your body. Listen to its rhythms—your heartbeat, your pulse, and the subtle sensations coursing through you.
- The Ocean Within (Blood and Vital Energy): Dive deeper and observe the flow of blood, the movement of energy, and the internal processes of your body.
- The Abyss Within (Soul): Finally, descend into the depths of your being—your soul—where no sound exists, only profound silence and stillness.
By listening to these inner realms, you naturally enter a meditative state. As thoughts quieten, you encounter the stillness of your soul, a state comparable to the serene silence of mountain peaks.
The Practice of Inner Listening
When the mind achieves such tranquility, engage in reciting hymns or meditating on the divine word. In this state of a-man (thoughtlessness), the vibration of these sacred words will resonate deeply within you. Even after you stop reciting, their echo will linger, leading you to supreme bliss. Over time, this echo becomes self-sustaining, continuing within you even amidst worldly activities.
In this state, the world’s illusions no longer bind you. Like a lotus rising above muddy waters, you remain untouched by worldly entanglements, radiating purity and joy to all around you.
Aligning with Divine Will
The path to such inner peace begins with surrendering to the divine will. As the earlier verse suggests, “Accept life as it is.” Embrace joy when it comes and sorrow when it arises, recognizing both as expressions of the divine plan. When you align yourself with this truth, you gain access to your inner depths, where true peace resides.
In this state of perpetual inner chanting, relationships and situations naturally harmonize. The bliss that emerges from within flows outward, uplifting and bringing joy to everyone around you—effortlessly and spontaneously.
This is the state of Sat-Chit-Ananda—Truth, Consciousness, and Bliss—a state of being that transforms not only the individual but also the world around them.
