Bliss Meditation

Ksham or Bliss Meditation is a simple meditation technique that helps one transcend normal levels of consciousness to go into a different realm and experience blissful Divine energies. Ksham means Divine Bliss.  It is the beejakshara (root syllable).

Meditation is the art (and science) of making the mind still. Only when the turbulent thought waves are calmed down is one able to go beyond normal dimensions of consciousness. There are many different methods of meditation. However, the goal of most all meditations is the same; to make the mind and body still.  Bliss meditation, being simple yet powerful, can be practiced by anyone to be in Ekatvam, in Oneness with their Higher Self.

Our human existence (and experience) is a continuum of bodies, a continuum of layers from the gross to the subtle. There are five layers called Koshas or bodies: Annamaya Kosha (Physical body), Pranamaya Kosha (body of Prana or life force), Manomaya Kosha (Mind body), Vignanamaya Kosha (Wisdom body) and Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss body). Each layer is more subtle than the preceding one. The Bliss body, or Anandamaya Kosha, is one of Ananda, of Divine Bliss. It is way beyond happiness. Being able to experience the bliss body is truly a Divine experience, where one experiences one’s own Divinity. Bliss Meditation is a means, a vehicle, to experience your Bliss Body.

Through a simple way of meditation using the Ksham Beejakshara, one can transcend normal layers of consciousness and experience the Anandamaya Kosha or Bliss Body. Ksham Meditation or Bliss Meditation is a gift from the Divine Mother Pratyangira Devi to all of us. Everyone can practice it irrespective of tradition, religion, age or experience.

The Preliminaries

To practice Bliss Meditation, ensure that you will be undisturbed for the duration of your meditation. As much as possible, try to be in a space or room where you are alone, or in the company of other meditators. Try to remove ambient noises and bright lights as much as possible. You may wish to light a lamp or candle.

Sit in a comfortable position, ideally cross-legged on the floor or a yoga mat. But if that is not possible or is uncomfortable, you may sit on a chair too. Keep your back and spine straight. Rest your hands on your thighs or folded in your lap. Close your eyes. Become aware of your breath. Relax your body and mind.

Set your intentions that you want to get in touch with your true Self. Know that your true inner Self is nothing but the Divine.

Heartfully, chant OM three times. You can do this either verbally, or silently. Make it a long Ooooommmm. Feel the vibrations emanating from you during the chanting in sync with the primordial, ever-present sound of the Universe, Om.

Ask your Higher Self to remove obstacles, such as incessant thoughts or emotions for the duration of the bliss meditation. This is easier said than done, but setting the intention helps.

Meditate

Bring your attention to your breath, without trying to alter the pattern of your breath. As you inhale, silently and mentally chant Om. As you exhale, silently and mentally chant Ksham. That’s it. Om when inhaling, Ksham while exhaling. Soon, even without you being aware, your mind will start dwelling on something, and you may get completely involved in the thought. That is very natural. The moment you become aware that your mind has drifted, gently and lovingly bring it back to your inhalation with Om and exhalation with Ksham. This process will repeat itself over and over. Each time you become aware that you are in some thought, be gentle, be loving and without involving yourself in the thought, without involving yourself in the emotion associated with the thought, gently bring back your attention to your breath.

Remember, all thoughts are equal during meditation. You may have a good or bad thought. Be neutral towards every thought without any judgment and gently redirect your attention towards your breath. The moment you become aware of your thought, do not dwell on the thought, do not beat yourself up about how you cannot focus. Be gentle with yourself, be loving towards yourself. Know that the mind is doing what it has been programmed to do, just as your other body parts are doing what they are supposed to do, all without your conscious intervention. But by bringing your awareness into it, you are gently intervening in your thought patterns, and realigning the neurological patterns in your brain.

As you continue to focus on your inhalations with Om and exhalations with Ksham, your breath starts becoming shallow automatically. Your thoughts start thinning out. When this happens, it will be hard to distinguish when an inhalation ends and when an exhalation begins and vice versa. At this point, you can just start mentally chanting only Ksham, Ksham, Ksham in a slow and repetitive manner.

After a while, your brain patterns will start slowing down even further. You may not be able to articulate even the Ksham entirely. It will be as though some vague pattern is repeating. And this is fine. Just go with the flow. At some point, even the Ksham will disappear, even the vague repeating pattern will disappear. You will arrive at a place of you and your mind being in a standstill position and becoming one.

Feel the stillness and peace within you. Feel the bliss. Experience the Oneness, feel the Ekatvam with your Higher Self. The Oneness, the Ekatvam with your Self is your Oneness with the Divine. Be in that place for as long as you are able. Even in this place of stillness, there will be the random thought, the occasional drifting away. That is only natural. Just observe the thought without getting attached to it, and let go of it. Gently return to your place of stillness.

Coming out of Meditation

As you start coming out of your meditation, offer thanks to your Higher Self for always being there for you. Know that it will always be there for you. Be thankful for all that you are. Lovingly remember your family, your loved ones. Send them your love and blessings. Ask forgiveness from those that you may have wronged intentionally or unintentionally. And forgive those who may have wronged you intentionally or unintentionally.

Heartfully, chant Om Shanti Shanti Shanti or Om Peace Peace Peace. In doing this, you are asking for Peace within your inner Self, for Peace within your family and loved ones, and for Peace in the world.

Offer your gratitude to your higher Self for leading you to a place of stillness, to a place of peace and bliss through bliss meditation. Know that it is always there for you, within you, at all levels of your being.