Read and exclusive excerpt from One Minute Wisdom.
Over 4000 years ago, the rishis of ancient India uncovered a profound truth: The universe is not chaotic but an intelligent, self-aware ecosystem. They observed life deeply and found patterns that connect us to something infinite. Their discovery, Satchitananda, offers a map of human potential rooted in three timeless principles: Sat (Reality), Chit (Consciousness) and Ananda (Bliss).
This ancient wisdom is as relevant today as it was then. Satchitananda invites us to explore who we truly are and what it means to live a fulfilling life.
The Map of Satchitananda
Below is a simple diagram to illustrate how Sat, Chit and Ananda work together:
- Sat grounds you in what is real.
- Chit keeps you curious and aware.
- Ananda reminds you that bliss and fulfilment lie within.
Together, these three principles form a timeless guide to living a life of purpose and joy.
1. Sat: The Quest for What Is Real
Sat is about finding the truth behind appearances. At first, we rely on our five senses to understand the world—what we see, hear, touch, taste and smell. But our senses only scratch the surface. They reveal objects and events but not the invisible space that holds them all.
Imagine standing in a room filled with furniture. You see the objects, but do you notice the space they occupy? Similarly, Sat points to the infinite existence that underlies everything, including us. Our personality, body and mind are forms shaped by this infinite being called existence. Deep down, we long to reconnect with that vastness of our existence. Sat anchors us in reality. It asks us: ‘What is truly real?’ In seeking this, we find the power to make a genuine impact on our world.
2. Chit: The Light of Awareness
Chit is consciousness itself, the universal awareness that illuminates everything. In our daily lives, we experience different states of being waking, dreaming and deep sleep. Yet, in all these states, consciousness quietly exists in the background, like the screen on which a movie plays.
We often get lost in the drama of this ‘movie’ of life and forget the screen itself. Chit is the will to know, the spark of curiosity that drives us to uncover the secrets of existence. It keeps us asking: ‘How do I truly know myself and the world? ‘By being curious and aware, we connect to the universal intelligence that guides everything.
3. Ananda: The Ocean of Bliss
Ananda is the deep, infinite joy that lies at the heart of existence. At first, we seek happiness in external things—a delicious meal, a thrilling experience or the company of loved ones. These moments bring joy, but they don’t last. So, we search for the next high, the next wave of pleasure. The rishis discovered that true bliss doesn’t depend on anything outside us. Ananda is not the fleeting happiness we chase; it’s the timeless ocean of joy within us. It’s where our ups and downs merge, and we feel whole again.
Ananda teaches us to look inward for fulfilment. It’s not about rejecting life but embracing it with detachment from its passing forms. In doing so, we find balance—a state the rishis called samata, where our individual self stands in harmony with the universal.
Satchitananda: The Trinity of Life
Reality, Awareness and Bliss—Sat, Chit and Ananda—are not separate ideas. They are the foundation of all existence. Everything in the universe begins with them and returns to them. They are always present, shaping who we are and why we are here.
When we understand and live by Satchitananda, life reveals its deeper purpose. The rishis showed us that this understanding is the key to a fulfilling, harmonious life. It connects us to the infinite within and around us.
Satchitananda is not just ancient wisdom; it’s a practical way to live meaningfully. When we align with Sat, Chit and Ananda, Reality, Awareness and Bliss, we discover that life itself is the greatest gift—and that we are already part of something infinite.
In the process of reaching towards the creation of this book, we conducted a poll on my LinkedIn page. This page is followed by more than 55,000 professionals, managers and leaders. The poll revealed the following responses of leaders relating to Sat (real impact), Chit (Self-Awareness) and Joy of Fulfilment (Ananda):
An achiever in a leadership role needs transformative influence to unlock their full potential. What does it take for them to succeed
Leadership is seen as a role dominated by Self-Awareness; Real Impact beiną the second factor in line while Joy and Fulfilment come as a distant third.
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