Ignorance is Bliss

The statement "ignorance is bliss" is true in the sense that not knowing something is often more comfortable than knowing it. But blissful? I would argue that the experience of bliss is much more than simply the absence of discomfort. True bliss is experienced in the absence of identification with our conditioned way of seeing the world.

Although both words convey a state of not knowing, ignorance could be seen as a negative condition whereas innocence is a quality which enables us to experience each moment in a fresh and alive way.

Our lives tend to become more serious and complicated as we get older. Rather than seeing things as they really are, we begin to view the world through all the mental constructs which come with our mental programming. We no longer respond to situations innocently but react with the same old patterns over and over.

Also, as we become increasingly aware of the pain and suffering in the world, we lose our innocence and become less blissful. It is therefore more accurate to say that "innocence is bliss."

One of my Teacher's favourite expressions was "Get stupid quick!" What he means by this is to return to a natural state of innocence. Being innocent is synonymous with resting in the present moment. The mind is incapable of experiencing bliss. In the absence of mental activity, bliss exists as our true nature.

We experience this truth through present moment awareness, not through ignorance. As we become aware, through spiritual practice, that in reality there is only one big LIFE going on and not "my" life and "your" life, bliss is the natural consequence of this discovery.



Return from "Ignorance is Bliss" to "Following Your Bliss"