Bliss
September 14th, 2007 |Written by Tracy Becker, LPC
“Everyone speaks on it, yet who has known it?” ~Suzanne Curchod Necker (1739-1794)
When I first thought of writing about bliss, I thought no problem, this is easy enough. Yet the more I thought about bliss the more doubt I developed. Sure I’ve had, what I call, blissful moments and experiences, yet what do I really know about BLISS? Thus began the past several months’ adventure of asking others what their thoughts and experiences are with bliss.
Bliss has been described to me as times when we are able to be present in the moment, a feeling of resting in a Big Aaaahhh, a heart filled full and overflowing with love for another, being awed by the beauty and tranquility of nature, and an overall sense of wellbeing. Everyone I spoke to felt that bliss is not lasting. One can experience bliss in moments like when you fall into your bed, with fresh clean sheets, after a long and fulfilling day. Others have experienced bliss that last hours and at times days. For example, an evening spent in love and laughter with trusted friends, or while on a spiritual retreat where your body, mind and spirit are constantly being nurtured and renewed. My friend Wendy says that bliss exists anytime she remembers to connect with it. While Mangala, being raised in the Buddhist country of Sri Lanka, says that bliss is everywhere all the time, one just needs a conscious moment to find it. Some believe that bliss is fleeting because we as humans couldn’t comprehend a constant state of bliss. While others say blissful experiences are more meaningful because they are short lived, i.e., without darkness one can not appreciate the light. Yet overall people shared that bliss is a feeling of being connected: connected in a spiritual sense (to God, Spirit, Self and nature); connected to loved ones (including our pets); and the connection parents feel toward their children are all ways we tap into bliss…
The spiritual experience of bliss is almost unanimously expressed as an ability to be present in a moment of time. Melissa, a psychologist, best describes this as being entirely mindful in a great moment with no consideration for the next, no future, no past, NOW. No schedule, no agenda, your awareness of anything but now does not exist. A common blissful experience for me is when I’m able to let mediation remove all the chatter of my mind and rest completely surrendered. Thoreau was clearly talking about bliss when he wrote: “There were times when I could not afford to sacrifice the bloom of the present moment to any work, whether of head or hands.” And my friend Kathy describes bliss as an overwhelming feeling of love and happiness. Happiness like she had never felt before, like nothing was wrong or ever could be. A perpetual state of gratitude and wonder with all that life has to offer.
Sometimes this connection with spirit is felt in nature. The first time I stood on the sea cliffs of Big Sur, California is a moment I will never forget. I felt so uplifted I was certain I could ascend straight into the arms of God. No concern for this earthly life just pure bliss. Be it from the view at the peak of a mountain, watching the sun slowly rise to greet the day on a quiet beach, the sound of the first birds singing to one another while enjoying that first sip of coffee, or a sacred moment when you are so still in the wilderness that a wild creature allows you a glimpse into their world. These moments, that nearly take your breath away, represent blissful feelings to many of us.
“A short hug, a small nudge, a wink from the one you love…” is part of Hanna’s (a 15 year old) poem on bliss representing the connections we have with one another. Several spouses were happy to share that bliss is the simple act of waking next to their trusted mate who is more loving and supportive than they could have ever imagined. My favorite are those moments when your eyes lock with a loved one and linger there, filling your entire being with pure love, tears of joy stream down your face, yummy bliss! Jennifer finds that some of her most blissful moments are when she is able to help someone, just because she can, and sees the relief and gratitude on their face. Mike, an Iraqi war veteran, told me that some of the most blissful times he has had since returning from the war is when he is in the company of someone he can totally trust, simply sharing a beer and a slice of pizza with one who understands the struggles of integrating the experience of war into being a good husband and father.
All of us that are blessed to share the connection we have with our pets understand the bliss felt when you hear the soft purr of your cat next to your ear; see the overly excited tail wag from your faithful dog; and feel the total acceptance and joy they show you as you walk through the door at the end of a tough day. Our beloved pets love us like no other, and this is bliss.
For many, bliss is a common experience of parenting. Lisa B. the mother of 3 boys says, “Being with my children is bliss! When I look into their eyes I see hope and love! It truly makes life on this planet worthwhile for me.” One of Shawn’s blissful moments comes late a night when she checks on her sleeping children and sees them peacefully at rest. In those moments, she thanks God for the gift of her two children. Another mother, Dolly, describes bliss as hearing “I love you Mommy” whispered in her ear by her young son that makes her heart swell with love until she can barely contain it. And first time mother, Lisa C., eloquently states that bliss is the way my baby nestles into my body as I hold him close, it is in his breath as he lulls softly into dreamland, it is in the delight of his giggle, and its is in my heart as he reaches for me.
Through this adventure of getting to know bliss I discovered that among many things it is an overwhelming love, happiness and joy. It’s a connection to those we love, to nature, and to the many versions of God. It’s a feeling of extraordinary peace and an ability to completely accept what ever appears in the moment without concern. Yet for me, the most important discovery is that bliss appears to blessing us in its simplest form, nothing that needs to be bought or possessed, just life as it presents itself. It is everywhere we turn and in each breath we take. We can find it in our tears and in our laughter; in the chaos and in the stillness; in our pain and in our joy all we need to do is awaken to each moment and invite bliss in.
©Copyright 2007 Tracy Becker, LPC
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