This Is What Ultimate Bliss Feels Like!

 Sudarshan Ghimire

This story dates back a few years. As the coordinator for the book selection and editing process of the Sikai Samuha (Learning Group), I was on the lookout for suitable English-language books whose Nepali translations could prove innovative, readable, and valuable for Nepali readers, especially teachers, parents, and the younger generation. Since the internet was the easiest and most effective place to research and gather information about books, I turned to it.

One day, my eyes landed on a book whose title and cover were both somewhat unique, causing me to pause. Drawn by the cover, I naturally skimmed through the table of contents, which piqued my interest. The introduction further impressed me. This sparked a desire to learn more about the book’s popularity and readers’ reactions.

My fingers danced across the keyboard as I searched for reviews. The book was clearly well-loved by many readers. The heartfelt and touching reviews written by readers were enough to reflect the book’s weight and significance.

This ignited my interest in publishing the Nepali translation of this book through the Sikai Samuha. A few weeks later, during a conversation with my journalist friend Ekal Silwal, we discussed this idea. He connected me with writer/translator Roshan Dahal, who had already begun translating the book. Roshan agreed to collaborate with us on this translation.

A few months after the initial translation work was completed, Roshan brought the first draft. I read through it quickly. Having grown up with a background in Sanskrit, Roshan's language flowed effortlessly. I found originality in his presentation. However, the subject matter was beyond my grasp. So, I thought it best to have the manuscript reviewed by someone knowledgeable in the subject. Roshan agreed on it.

While searching for such a person, I thought of my journalist friend Manoj Dahal, who, along with senior journalist Yubaraj Ghimire, had translated Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath into Nepali a few years earlier under the title Pratyek Swasma Anand. I had thoroughly enjoyed reading that book back then. Manoj kindly read the manuscript and provided feedback, based on which Roshan made revisions and submitted it for editing.

Finding a competent editor for this task took some time. The subject matter required not only linguistic proficiency but also a deep understanding. Since the book was related to both philosophy and practice, I felt it was appropriate to entrust the editing to someone experienced in some level of spiritual practice, with both a good grasp of the subject and strong language skills.

In my search for such a person, I remembered my old friend Chhatra Karki. As a spiritual enthusiast engaged in practice for over two decades and a PhD scholar at Lumbini Buddhist University researching mindfulness, Chhatra was well-suited. With years of experience in writing and editing, I requested him to take on the editing. He suggested, “Let’s work on it together,” and so I joined the editing process.

We agreed that comparing the original book with the translation would refine the Nepali version further. After a couple of in-person sessions, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to work online via Zoom. Where we got stuck, we referred to the Hindi translation for assistance. There were a few points where even the Hindi version didn’t help.

A few weeks after completing the initial editing on a hard copy, I handed the material to Roshan. Busy with work and traveling to rural eastern Nepal, Roshan finalized the revisions while staying in a village and sent it back via email a few months later.

Since several months had passed since we worked on it, recalling every detail required referring to the hard copy. However, Roshan had left it behind and was now in the hilly regions of far-western Nepal, making immediate retrieval impossible. This situation gave us another opportunity to enrich the manuscript by comparing it with the original English text.

Some time later, Chhatra and I found time to dive back in. We sat at the Sikai Samuha's office and began reading the material Roshan had sent. It didn’t take long to realize Roshan thoroughness. Still, we read through it again, hoping to refine it further. We worked at the our office or at a café in front of the college in New Baneshwor where Chhatra taught. Finishing even a single chapter in one sitting was challenging.

Unable to keep up with time pressures, we spent two days working at a hotel near Bhaktapur Durbar Square. From morning to evening, we focused solely on the task. Yet, the final section of the manuscript remained incomplete. We agreed to meet soon to finish it and left the hotel the next afternoon.

On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, around 3 p.m., Chhatra and I met at Chiya Sagar Café in front of KNK College in New Baneshwor to work on the final section. Sipping spicy milk tea, we dove into our work. I opened the laptop and began reading the Nepali text aloud while Chhatra cross-checked it with the English book. This had been our method all along.

Reading aloud helped identify where sentence structures needed adjustment. Wherever we got stuck or felt improvements were possible, we tweaked the words. If we weren’t fully satisfied, we reworked those parts. This chapter didn’t require significant changes, though. As I read, I was struck by moments of wonder, thinking, Can this really happen? At a couple of points, the book’s lines seemed to penetrate deep into my heart.

Around 5:15 p.m., we finished the final chapter. We shared our joy, celebrated with another cup of milk tea, and parted ways. Chhatra headed to teach his class, while I went to meet my friend Achyut Koirala (writer, translator, and journalist) in Anamnagar to discuss potential collaborative work. When I arrived, Achyut was waiting at a tea shop.

“Where are you coming from,?” he asked.

“From Baneshwor. We just finished editing Nepali translation of The Power of Now and came straight here.”

My mind was still buzzing with the book I had just read. Knowing Achyut had built a reputation translating biographies from English to Nepali, I wanted to share a portion of this translation to get his spontaneous feedback. I pulled out my laptop, opened it, and began reading the introduction, where the author shares a fascinating story about how the book came into existence. I was eager to gauge Achyut ji’s reaction to both the content and the language.

In the small tea shop, oblivious to others, I read aloud with enthusiasm. For some reason, I felt an inner excitement. I finished the introduction without pausing. While reading, I glanced at Achyut’s face to read his expressions. He seemed to listen with the innocence of a child, completely absorbed.

After finishing, I asked, “How’s the language of the translation?”

In his unique style, he said, “It’s awesome.”

I was familiar with his way of praising others’ work. Jokingly, I said, “Not flattery—I want honest feedback!”

“I’m serious. The language has rhythm and sweetness,” he replied, reassuring me.

We talked about the book’s content for a while. Having been immersed in it for a week, my mind was totally engaged by its themes. I felt an inexplicable joy growing within me and had no interest in discussing anything else. We talked about the book for nearly an hour and a half, losing track of time. As dusk approached, we parted ways. I rode my motorcycle toward home.

While riding up from Satdobato via GEMs School toward Upper Dhapakhel, I felt a tingling sensation in my head. I slowed the bike and focused inward. The sense of joy felt unnaturally heightened. I sped up and reached home in a few minutes. Dinner was ready. I ate and sat on a small cot in the living room, unaware of how time passed.

Suddenly, I felt an extraordinary stirring in my head. Instead of fear, it amplified my joy. In an instant, there was an explosion of bliss. My mind and heart were entirely filled with it. Spontaneously, my hands clasped in gratitude toward the Creator.

This is what ultimate bliss feels like!

For about four hours, I sat motionless, immersed in this miraculous inner experience. My breath felt so fresh—unlike anything I had ever experienced since childhood. It was as if I were breathing the crisp morning air of a winter forest, but magnified manifold. The freshness was extraordinary, unprecedented. I felt a stream of blissful energy flowing from my throat throughout my body.

Moments after reaching this peak of bliss, I realized all my desires and ambitions had vanished. My sorrows and pains seemed to wash away from my heart. I had always considered myself fortunate, having faced little significant suffering. Yet, for those I once blamed for my pain, I felt instant forgiveness. I recognized their role in my journey to this blissful state and felt deep gratitude toward them, clasping my hands in thanks.

All this unfolded within me simultaneously. For the first time, I realized life could be so profoundly and continuously joyful. I understood that it’s possible to be free from pain, sorrow, ego, and hatred. The book’s author, Eckhart Tolle, a realized being, felt like a guru who had manifested in my life. I expressed heartfelt gratitude to him.

At one point, I thought of documenting this experience. I opened my laptop to write, but quickly closed it, returning to my clasped hands. I remained in that state for nearly four hours.

Words cannot fully capture this experience—it transcends language. What I’ve described here is merely a pointer to the reality.

After midnight, I lay in bed, still in that state of supreme ecstasy. That night was the most special of my life. Neither fully asleep nor awake, it passed in a blur.

A week later, on March 21, 2023, I wrote in my diary: “It feels like the search for bliss has ended. This seems to be life’s greatest attainment. The spiritual seekers’ claim that ultimate bliss is uncaused and can be continuously experienced has manifested as the supreme truth in my life for the past week. Bliss isn’t something to be achieved through action or acquired externally.”

I first shared this experience with my close friend and the book’s editor, Chhatra Karki. He was overjoyed and advised me to witness this experience with a witness. I followed his advice. For months, I quietly observed myself, wondering if this experience might fade or if it was an illusion. As it returned repeatedly, I became confident it was real and shared it with a few close people.

Last Dashain, I felt inspired to reread Paramahansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi. I had read it over a decade ago and had given a copy to my father, thinking it would interest him due to his spiritual inclination. We had also ordered a few Nepali translations for our 'Read to Teach' campaign. I brought one home and began reading it aloud before bed. Each night, I read one long chapter or two short ones. While reading, I reached a similar state of bliss. It took about a month to finish.

The first time I read it, it hadn’t deeply impacted me. This time, it was a divine experience. Next, I read Swami Rama’s Living with the Himalayan Masters, which evoked the same profound feelings.

As I write these lines nearly fourteen months later, I remain in that state of unbroken bliss. I’ve realized that while editing this book, I became one with it. The chapter on The Meaning of Surrender', particularly the section on “The Path of Self-Surrender,” resonated deeply. An inner surrender emerged, triggering this transformation.

Whenever I become thought-free or remember the Supreme Existence, this experience returns. As a child, inspired by my father, I read the Ramayana with relish at age nine, which said that remembering God ends all suffering. Until last year, I found that idea absurd. Now, its profound meaning has dawned on me through my own experience.

I believe this book is valuable not only for teachers and parents but also for people from all walks of life. It’s equally meaningful for secondary-level students and beyond. Based on my limited experience, I can confidently say that even those in pain or contemplating suicide can find instant liberation from their suffering. I am certain this book and its teachings will be especially useful for such individuals.

May all be blessed!

May 3, 2024,

Dhapakhel, Lalitpur, Nepal

(From the publication experience of Nepali translation of the The Power of Now (Bartamanko Shakti) recently released by the Sikai Samuha. This is the English translation. You can find it in original Nepali version on https://www.himalkhabar.com/news/143197)