The First Noble Truth: Life Means Suffering
To live means to suffer, because the human nature is not perfect and neither is the world we live in. During our lifetimes, we inevitably
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December 14, 2012
SAT-CIT-ANANDA is a compound of three Sanskrit words, defined as “Ultimate Being” – “Pure Consciousness” – “Perfect Bliss.” It is a term used in various Hindu traditions referring to the subjective experience of the universal mind, or Brahman.
Experiencing SAT-CIT-ANANDA gives us a glimpse of the Sacred, the ultimate reality beyond this realm of duality. It connects us with the ultimate self or pure consciousness — Brahman, that which is both immanent (everywhere) and transcendent (beyond everything and nothing).
The Hindu philosopher Sri Aurobindo notes that while the soul is manifest in the realm of time and space through our bodies, it nevertheless maintains its connection with the transcendent. So, the concept of SAT-CIT-ANANDA puts us back in touch with our own, true identity, our connection to the sacred.
Now, I came to this idea of bliss because in Sanskrit, which is the great spiritual language of the world, there are three terms that represent the brink, the jumping-off place to the ocean of transcendence: Sat, Chit, Ananda. The word "Sat" means being. "Chit" means consciousness. "Ananda" means bliss or rapture. I thought, "I don't know whether my consciousness is proper consciousness or not; I don't know whether what I know of my being is my proper being or not; but I do know where my rapture is. So let me hang on to rapture, and that will bring me both my consciousness and my being." I think it worked.
To live means to suffer, because the human nature is not perfect and neither is the world we live in. During our lifetimes, we inevitably
The Gospel of Matthew 5: 3-12, in the Bible The Beatitudes The Beatitudes are the teachings of Jesus shared from his Sermon on the Mount.
Atisha (11th century Tibetan Buddhist master) About Buddhism The greatest achievement is selflessness. The greatest worth is self-mastery. The greatest quality is seeking to serve
“Now, I came to this idea of bliss because in Sanskrit, which is the great spiritual language of the world, there are three terms that