By JACCI GRUNINGER, MS, C-IAYT
Los Alamos

The Oxford Dictionary defines BLISS as, “perfect happiness; great joy.”

Ananda means bliss and Ananda Maya Kosha is the bliss sheath. It is the experience of bliss no matter what our circumstances.

Often, this sheath is described as the innermost of the Russian Doll metaphor. I actually like to think of it as the outermost part of yourself.
WE ARE BLISS – we just forget and get caught up in all the chaos and turmoil that surrounds us. Yoga, meditation, breathwork, hiking, running or whatever you do, reminds you YOU ARE BLISS.

Within this sheath resides the Atman, our inner self or our soul. It is who we are without our ego or our identity. This part of ourselves never changes.

If you have ever come out of relaxation at the end of yoga and felt different – maybe one with everything – you have experienced Ananda Maya Kosha.

You may have also experienced bliss with a loved one; holding a child in your arms, being engaged completely with another, even feeling the companionship of a beloved pet can create a sense of bliss. Even communing with nature can create a sense of bliss.

As we close this yoga philosophy series on the Koshas, remember that you cannot separate these sheaths from one another. They make up who we are and we need all of them to function fully in the world. The goal is to be more aware and take care to develop each of these sheaths to become more fully alive.

Jacci Gruninger is a Certified Yoga Therapist, Thai Yoga Massage Therapist, Focusing Coach and Facilitated Stretch Practitioner. She regularly helps clients manage the ups and downs of life with yoga, meditation, breathwork, focusing, stretching and bodywork. Her Wellness Center is at 190 Central Park Square #212. For her in person and online teaching schedule and information on other services, visit her website at www.highmountainwellbeing.com. 

Courtesy photo