Bliss after Bertha Young

The other day, I was talking to my students about the story ‘Bliss’ by Katherine Mansfield, and the idea of bliss and how it can be experienced, but not expressed. I told them that while it may seem like a paradox, it is actually possible to experience a state of bliss without being able to express it. 

In the story, Bertha Young is overcome with a feeling of bliss as she looks around her garden and marvels at the beauty of her surroundings. She is so overwhelmed with joy that she can’t even put it into words. This is the kind of bliss that I was talking to my students about – a feeling that you can feel, but not express. 

I then told them about my own experiences of bliss. One of my happiest memories was when I was a young boy and went camping with my father. I remember lying in my sleeping bag, looking up at the stars and feeling so at peace and content with my life and the world around me. Even though I could never put it into words, I knew that I was experiencing a true state of bliss. 

Another time I experienced bliss was when I was swimming in the Disang river . The sun was setting, and the water was so warm and inviting. As I swam, I felt a strong connection to nature that was hard to put into words, but it made me feel so alive and grateful for being able to experience this moment. 

Finally, I shared with my students how I experience bliss whenever I write or see movie. Whenever I get completely lost in a creative project, I feel a sense of joy and fulfillment that is hard to describe but feels incredible nonetheless. There is something special about knowing that you are creating something beautiful from your own imagination. 

After discussing these stories with my students, we all agreed on one thing – bliss is an indescribable state that can only be experienced. It can’t be expressed in words, but it can be felt in moments of beauty and connection with nature or in creative pursuits. 

No matter what brings you joy or what makes your heart swell with happiness, always remember to take time to appreciate those moments and let yourself feel that sense of bliss. It is a beautiful thing to experience and will bring you much happiness if you allow yourself to really dive into it.