Exploring Inner Joy

People are in a constant race to gain money, power, love, and fame, all in pursuit of happiness. However, even after achieving all these, they are often unable to find true happiness. So, what is the cause of suffering, and how can one lead a joyful and fulfilling life? It is with this debate that Ghanashyam Khadka begins his book Aananda Samhita. People are chasing shadows without internalising themselves; Khadka delivers this strong message from the book.

Ghanashyam Khadka is a well-known journalist in Nepali media, popular for his writing. As an author, he has already published a book titled Nirvan, which explores the philosophy of life, and he has recently released a new book, Aananda Samhita.

In recent times, digital technology and rapid globalisation have become the shackles binding life. The author seems to inspire a self-introspective assessment in the pursuit of true spirituality and self-satisfaction. Aananda Samhita, (translated as “The Code of Joy” in English) provides a path to a blissful life.

In the book, Khadka explains the philosophy of Lord Buddha in simple terms, combining a deep and philosophical approach with practical wisdom. This makes the book increasingly important for readers whose minds stormy in the whirl of modernity. 

Khadka aims to give life to our native philosophy, which is often suppressed or denied in the global narrative. Aananda Samhita explains ancient pearls of Buddhist philosophy and offers guidance on how they can be applied in the current world. The author explains self-awareness, mindfulness, and what could possibly be a good baseline for invoking happiness.

In another context, the author discusses the importance of letting go of attachments to material possessions, status, and even relationships in order to experience freedom and inner joy. He also suggests that by changing one’s perspective and embracing acceptance, suffering can be transcended.

The writer highlights the importance of balancing material success with spiritual growth. While external achievements are not inherently bad, he emphasises how they should not overshadow the pursuit of inner peace and spiritual fulfilment. The key message is about integrating material success with spiritual wisdom to live a harmonious life.

In the book, he critiques society for compelling people to take everything too seriously. In his view, society tends to value those who share fake things with seriously, while overlooking those who share the truth with joy and happiness. He highlights the importance of living in the present moment as a way to experience true joy. By focusing on the here and now, individuals can free themselves from regrets about the past and anxieties about the future. Mindfulness and conscious living are the ways to achieve Aananda in life.

The book also explores the spiritual dimension of happiness, relating it to the concept of divine bliss. This could be seen a more metaphysical exploration of how connecting with a higher power or universal consciousness leads to ultimate fulfilment.

Through the construction and deconstruction of ideas in chapters, Khadka allows readers to immerse themselves in each section. While going through the book, readers will find themselves reflecting on their own habits even realising how they can make corrections to lead more meaningful life.

In this materialistic society where people seek excitement from things, Aananda Samhita comes across as a guideline for self-inquiry. The viewpoints presented by Khadka compel the audience to change their traditional definition of success and enjoyment from achievements or accomplishments to intrinsic qualities. Also, this book discusses how collectivism, compassion, and collaboration highlight the importance of the idea that isolated well-being leads to a harmonious society.

Despite all these good aspects, the book can be somewhat vague at times due to the author’s frequent use of literary and philosophical terms. This could make it a bit challenging for some readers. Still, such life skills and philosophical explanations are essential, even for the younger population. Ultimately, books like these are crucial for keeping our ancient philosophies alive.

In conclusion, Aananda Samhita skillfully merges ancient wisdom with contemporary insights, making it applicable to any modern seeker who desires inner peace and meaningfulness in existence. It not only inspires readers but also invites them to pause and reflect on the concept of Aananda and its importance.

(The author is a journalist at The Rising Nepal.)

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