Find your bliss
Ahh bliss.
For me, bliss is a very real state of being. Of course, I’m not floating in bliss all the time - ha! But, I know exactly how it feels and I have a pretty good sense of what gets me there (hint: movement, meditation, nature, deep connection).
For most, bliss is a foreign concept. It feels inaccessible and perhaps only reserved for a select few - the enlightened beings of the world.
But, here is one thing I know to be true: Bliss is available to each and every one of us, and you’re a heck of a lot closer to accessing it than you think.
We’ve all experienced moments of bliss, whether it was playing in nature, experiencing one of life’s milestones, or belly laughing with a soulful friend. You may have even called it something like “flow” or “being in the zone” if you experienced it while engaging in your sport, writing a manuscript, or giving a lecture.
Bliss, flow, being in the zone, ecstasy . . . they’re all referring to a similar phenomenon. It’s an experience where time doesn’t exist, where you are completely present, and where your entire body vibrates with aliveness. It’s where challenge and skill are perfectly matched and where there’s an ease about what you’re doing.
Bliss, or flow, seems like a pretty awesome place to be, right? So, how do we invite that state of being more often? Some data indicate that athletes play “in the zone” approximately 10% of the time. But, the flow research increasingly suggests that there are a few ways that we can maximize our chances of getting into a flow state.
For starters, let’s consider these three Ps that can trigger flow:
Presence
Passion
Persistence
First, presence is critical. Your focus has to be single-pointed. Distractions will swiftly pull you out of the path towards flow and it will take a lot of effort and time to get back on track. You must be committed to the here and now to move closer towards a flowy or blissful state.
Second, you must have passion. The word ‘passion’ is thrown around a lot, but it’s actually incredibly important in this instance. When you love what you’re doing, it’s easier for your brain to remain focused on the necessary tasks. Passion has a quality of wholeness. It consumes your entire being and fosters both presence and persistence, the two other Ps.
Lastly, persistence signifies that you won’t back down when the going gets a little tough. On the road to bliss or flow, you have to pass through the gates of discomfort. We’re not leaping to something completely outside of our comfort zone, but we are pushing against the edge of what we’re used to. Remember, there has to be an element of challenge involved, so it makes sense that you’re going to get a little uncomfortable before you settle in.
When bliss feels distant, practice this affirmation by Paramahansa Yogananda,
“I am infinite. I am spaceless. I am tireless. I am beyond body, thought, and utterance; beyond all matter and mind. I am endless bliss.”