Guru: Yes. My definition of enlightenment is what colour is for the blind man. We can describe colour to him and he will understand and know it intellectually, as a mental concept. But what it really is as an experiential experience, he will only know after eyesight has been given to him. Or, say we have a glass of water in front of us. The water exists as it is; waterness is its nature. Speaking of it, is water in terms of the mind. Such water is a concept. The word water is not water. No matter how detailed we describe it-even if it is described by 100 Einsteins-such a description will never be what water really is. We have the triad: the subject (the seer), the object (water) and the process of perceiving water. We can know water only when we drink it, shower with it, etc. That knowing then is a direct existential experience. That knowing is drinking is quenching thirst, therefore, is blissful. The three-fold aspects knowing, drinking and being blissful are one in the event called drinking. It is an impersonal event that occurs as part of the functioning of Totality. It is not an act of an individual "me" embodied in a body-mind organism with the sense of personal volitiona and doership. While drinking, the triad drinker, water, and the process of drinking is dissolved. Drinking occurs as one impersonal event, comprising the drinker, the water and the process of drinking. In this case drinking is the impersonal "What-is." The actual drinking of water is not a concept. At the moment of drinking there is no individual, separate "me"-entity, a drinker drinking water. The "me" comes in afterwards as a further, additional "me"-thought as in "’I’-drank water. ‘I’ experienced drinking water." The fact is, while drinking water happened there was no "me." A body-mind organism was drinking water as part of the functioning of Totality. When we inquire closely, we find that such a "me"-entity does not exist, except as a thought, as a notion, as a concept.

It has been known for a while through the work of Science that the physical existence and nature of all living things, including ours, are being influenced and controlled by the force causing Evolution of life. This book explains a theory about the influence of this force on our minds, and how we can improve our chances of happiness following a simple strategy. In the process, the book decodes a very intriguing ancient wisdom.

If readers are searching for happiness, then the pointers in this book will certainly show the way home. If readers have been longing to know the nature of true peace, then these profound yet spirited talks between Bernard Harmand and his inquirers may leave readers with a radically different sense of who they are and what is the true nature of happiness. The desire to be happy represents the fundamental drive in people, and its search pushes us to seek an elusive goal, either through the senses or through religious belief. Bernard is quick to point out the great paradox at the heart of this search: that our very nature our true being is the very happiness people so desperately seek. He says that everyone is like a person who searches for a missing necklace that has always been around his or her own neck. Throughout The Search for Happiness, the fundamental questions posed by sincere seekers of truth are refreshingly explored. and the answers never get in the reader's way. No dogma or belief here, just a loving presence who guides without guiding and speaks to the heart without relying on words. Bernard's message is clear: We only need to realize that we have never left the source of abiding peace and happiness, even though it may appear otherwise.These dialogues and letters cover much ground in just a few pages, and solid pointers are provided to help reach the precipice of that Love which consumes all in its path. And Bernard is always right there, reminding us to realize that we are now, and always have been, the eternal happiness that is our true self.

The authors of the 'U.S. Declaration of Independence' declared that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain rights, including Pursuit of Happiness. However, they gave no hints as to where this elusive happiness might be found. Over 3,000 years earlier in the serene atmosphere of the Himalayan ranges, the sages of Veda period drew the same conclusion and proceeded to investigate into the nature of happiness. They wanted to know where happiness was located and how to find it. In their careful observations they noted three facts: Man's search for happiness is a universal tendency. Everyone is searching for lasting happiness in a world of change. Permanent happiness must be independent of a changing environment. Arriving at these conclusions, the sages turned their enquiry inward to discover a substratum of permanence on which the changing phenomena rose and fell. In the short essays in Pursuit of Happiness, Swami Chinmayananda lucidly communicates the conclusions drawn by these subjective scientists who realised their own divine nature and proposed a way of life so that others might follow on the inner journey to the true source of happiness. Hailed as the second Swami Vivekananda, Swami Chinmayananda (1916-1993) has left a great legacy behind for mankind. On realising the true purpose of life he worked tirelessly and with tremendous energy for more than four decades to spread the message of Vedanta. A great orator, writer, leader, patriot and spiritual giant, he is one of the finest representatives of Indian spiritual heritage. The sprawling worldwide organisation of Chimaya Mission carries on the torch lit by this great saint.

Readers will find this book to be one of the finest expositions of non-dualist philosophy. John Levy--an English mystic, teacher, and artist--uses Advaita's insights to help people face life by knowing that, at the core of their existence, is an untouchable happiness.

“The Powers Of The Mind” is a speech delivered at Los Angeles, California, on January 8, 1900 by Swami Vivekananda explained his thoughts on the Powers of the Mind. This book brings together that speech for followers everywhere in his exact words.