For centuries, humanity has operated under a fundamental assumption: suffering is an inescapable part of the human condition. We brace ourselves for physical pain, mental turmoil, and the sharp pangs of the ego, believing this cycle of pleasure and pain is our unavoidable fate, often attributed to Karma. Yet, a transformative perspective challenges this deep-seated belief, proposing that suffering itself is a choice, and a state of unbroken peace—known as Ananda—is within our reach.
The Illusion of Inevitable Suffering
From the moment a child is born crying, we often interpret life as a journey destined for hardship. Teachings like the Buddha's insight that 'Samsara is Dukkha' (the world is full of suffering) can reinforce this notion. We resign ourselves to a pendulum swing between gain and loss, sunshine and rain. However, this acceptance is rooted in ignorance. The truth is, we suffer not because of a divine plan, bad luck, or random events, but primarily due to a lack of awareness about our true nature and the existence of a higher state of being.
The Three Pillars of Our Pain: Body, Mind, and Ego
Our experience of suffering typically stems from three sources, each based on a misidentification.
Firstly, we suffer physically because we believe we are the body. When the body feels pain, we automatically identify with it, absorbing its agony as our own. The realization that we are not the body, but inhabit it, can create a separation where physical sensation may occur without the accompanying mental suffering.
Secondly, the mind acts as a relentless 'joy stealer'. Like a hyperactive monkey, it generates nearly fifty thoughts per minute, amounting to roughly fifty thousand thoughts daily, fueling fear, anxiety, and stress. This constant chatter creates misery. Yet, the mind itself is an illusion—a mere bundle of thoughts. In moments of profound silence, when the thinking ceases, the mind's tyranny ends, and the 'monkey' transforms into a peaceful 'monk'.
The third tormentor is the ego. It screams "I, me, my, mine" and breeds toxic emotions like anger, hatred, jealousy, and a thirst for revenge. This ego, born of ignorance, agonizes us. However, through enlightenment and the realization of truth, the ego's power dissolves, and these destructive emotions fade away.
The Path to Liberation: From Suffering to Ananda
So, what is the way out of this triple suffering? The answer lies in Enlightenment—the conscious realization of the ultimate truth. This is not a mere intellectual exercise but a profound inner awakening. To embark on this journey, one must sincerely seek answers to the fundamental questions: Who am I? Why am I here?
With earnest dedication, guidance from a true Guru, and Divine Grace, a seeker can arrive at the monumental realization: we are not the body, mind, or ego. We are the Divine Soul, a Spark Of Unique Life (SOUL), an intrinsic part of SIP—the Supreme Immortal Power, or God. This awakening to our true identity as the immortal soul is the gateway to Ananda, a state of seamless, ecstatic joy and perennial peace.
The impact of this enlightenment is total. Not only does it end the suffering caused by the body, mind, and ego, but it also liberates the individual from the Karmic cycle of birth and rebirth, which perpetually returns us to realms of potential suffering. Sadly, most remain trapped in the material chase, unaware of this possibility. Yet, for those who seek, the promise of eternal bliss is not a myth but a attainable reality, offering freedom from all forms of misery.
Authored by: AiR - Atman in Ravi.
