Meditate for Bliss In 2026
On this cold winter’s day, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj presented his first Sunday discourse of the year at the SOS International Meditation Center. As the year begins, he said, it is natural for us to look back on what has passed and to plan for what lies ahead. Though our goals may differ, at the heart of every plan is the same longing: the desire to be happy.
The spiritual Master explained that happiness, as we commonly understand it, is an emotion that arises when life unfolds according to our expectations and fades when it does not. Because emotions change, happiness is fleeting. Bliss, which is often used interchangeably with happiness, is altogether different. Bliss is a state of the soul. Bliss has no opposite, because it is permanent. Once attained, it does not fade with changing circumstances.
The spiritual Master shared the slogan for the year: Meditate for Bliss in 2026. He then outlined three practical ways through which we can begin to experience this lasting state of bliss. The first is to perform selfless service to others. The second is to attend spiritual gatherings where our attention is lifted from the outer world to the deeper reality of our existence. The third path to bliss is meditation.
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji acknowledged that meditation is often easier to speak about than to practice. The moment we sit to meditate, the mind becomes active, sending a stream of thoughts that distract us from going within. To illustrate this inner struggle, he drew upon a scene familiar to many: a football game. He said there is an ongoing game between the soul and the mind. The soul is on offense, striving to reach its goal post, which is union with God. The mind plays defense, alert and relentless, doing everything it can to block the soul’s advance by sending thoughts and distractions. As soon as the soul stills the body and turns inward, the defense responds, attempting to divert attention away from the inner goal. A spiritual Master provides guidance and strategy, giving strategies to quiet the mind, hold off distractions, and keep the soul focused on its true goal.
Fixing a regular time for meditation, learning to still the body, and keeping remembrance of God throughout the day strengthens our efforts. With sustained effort, the soul can move past the mind’s defenses and progress toward its true destination of union with the Creator. This is the attainment of bliss.
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji said that once attained, bliss cannot be taken away, just as no one can take away our education. He assured the audience that this capacity to experience bliss exists within every human being. Each of us can discover the joy that already resides within and carry it not only through 2026, but for the rest of our lives.
