Atman (Self) is often defined as Sat-Chit-Aanand. Sat implies forever/permanent/existence, Chit implies self revealing consciousness and Aanand generally implies bliss. Definition of something means all conditions should be satisfied at all time.
Emotions come and go so how can an emotion like bliss always be permanent? For example, bliss cannot be experienced while watching horror movie or while watching a bad dream. Also, Atman is everywhere whether we speak of living beings or non-living objects. How can bliss be associated with a non-living entity like stone? How can bliss be associated with living entity not capable of experiencing bliss for example certain microbes/insects/animals etc. Also, Atman is the knower of everything including bliss, how can it itself be bliss?
If Aanand is considered as Anant which means limitless/infinite, this confusion would not be there and Atman indeed is limitless/whole/infinite. The word bliss when used in the context of Atman should be seen in this light. It is true that the more mind abides in Self, the happier it is. So, the words bliss & aanand can be used in their general sense also but they cannot be the direct representative of permanence when used this way.
Perhaps a Sanskrit scholar can look into the origin of the words Anant & Aanand.
The embedded video below shows the experience of bliss when someone falls in love. It is like, “Feel good” when the happiness shines from the unconscious mind.
Q: When I eat chocolate I feel happy. So, does it not mean that happiness is in chocolate?
A: When a mosquito bites you, scratching the area gives you happiness. That does not mean that happiness is caused by mosquito. Continue reading Happiness is in You→
Q: If I am Consciousness and bliss is the nature of consciousness, why don’t I always feel bliss?
A: Unfortunately, a rose itself cannot appreciate its beauty and fragrance. Yes, you are Consciousness and bliss is your inherent nature, but you as pure Consciousness feel nothing. But, you as person are sometimes happy, sometimes sad etc. Actually, it is your mind that becomes happy, sad etc. The reason why your mind does not always feel bliss is due to your conditioning, your latent tendencies, your hidden desires etc. together called causal body* acting as a veil. For analogy sake, think of the real you – Consciousness – as Sun. Then, sunlight is analogous to bliss. Think of your mind as the surface of the earth. Now imagine clouds between the Sun and earth. If clouds are clear, surface of the earth receives sunlight otherwise it does not. Likewise, whenever veil of causal body is removed your mind experiences bliss, otherwise it does not.
*The word body is not to be taken literally.
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