Ripples #858: Swimming In Bliss.
Nov 2, 2015
PEBBLE
Just think of any negativity that comes at you as a raindrop falling into the ocean of your bliss.
-Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, shared by Pete in Sedona, AZ
BOULDER
Adversity is a mirage. People, situations, and relationships sometimes change for the worst but inevitably clear a path for far better replacements. The continued journey will always find bliss.
―Carl Henegan, shared by Elaine in Little Rock, AR
PONDER
After I found these delicious quotes and decided to focus on the concept of bliss for this week’s issue of Ripples, I found myself poking around the interwebs looking for a helpful definition of the word. I kept running into the phrase, “perfect happiness” which doesn’t really sit well with me. I’m often squeamish about using the word “perfect” since flawlessness is usually out of reach, and in this phrase seems to suggests there are ideal forms of happiness that make other happinesses inadequate.
I decided to define bliss as divine joy, a sacred state of existence accessible just about any time to just about any person willing to passionately embrace and enjoy themselves and the world around them. It means that things don’t have to be going perfectly for you to experience this state; instead, bliss declines the invitation to judge things as Good or Bad. Everything and everyone are simply pieces of your cosmic puzzle, or drops in your vast ocean, helping you to find or make meaning.
It doesn’t mean you have to paint a smile on your face and force yourself to BE HAPPY all the time; it just means that you don’t have to wait for situations or people to change in order to enjoy today. You’re invited, whenever you want, to simply take a few deep breaths and experience the divine joy that is patiently waiting for you to visit.
I hope you’re able to find bliss today, and I hope you help someone around you find it, too.
Peace,
Paul
The Ripples Guy
