Article CXIV: Transient Happiness and Eternal Bliss In life, we intermittently experience joy and sorrow, depending on material surroundings, overall environments, and specific occurrences. Material objects can give us happiness, relationships can give us happiness, events can give us happiness, etc. Yet all of these experiences are temporary and can only provide happiness for a finite amount of time. Verses 11-15 of the second chapter stress the eternal nature of the Self within, which is beyond these transient experiences. The Self is Divine, and, therefore, eternal and infinite. The Self exists independent of transient pleasure and pain, and the Self represents pure, eternal bliss. By focusing on the Self, one can avoid grieving for the ephemeral challenges of life -- even death itself. The transition between life and death can ultimately be understood as analogous to the transitions between "childhood, youth, and old age" (II:13). As one grows toward enlightenment, one can be less and less dependent on objects and events for happiness, and one can be more and more independent to blissfully experience the Divine Self within. The Gita will further explore the nature of the Self, the paths to orient to the Self, and the experience of realizing the Self. Gita Full Text: http://www.chinmayauk.org/Resources/Downloads.htm Bhagavad Gita: Chapter II -- Translated by Swami Chinmayananda
The Blessed Lord said: |