When we speak of happiness, we often use the term loosely—sometimes to describe the deep joy of meeting an old friend, other times for the simple pleasure of enjoying a good cup of tea. But happiness, joy, pleasure, and bliss are not quite the same. They exist on a continuum—linked, yet distinct.

Pleasure is the most immediate and sensory. It arises from external stimuli—a delicious meal, a soothing massage, or a beautiful view. It is fleeting, tied to the moment, and often depends on circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, is deeper. It springs from connection, meaning, and engagement—like watching your child perform on stage or helping someone in need. Joy can last longer, often leaving behind a warm afterglow even after the moment has passed.

Happiness occupies an interesting middle ground. It is less fleeting than pleasure but not as enduring as bliss. Psychologists debate whether happiness is a feeling or an emotion. Feelings are our conscious awareness of emotions—what we label in words. Emotions are the brain’s automatic, instinctive responses. In this sense, happiness is both—it is an emotional state triggered by positive experiences, and also a conscious feeling when we recognise that state.

And then there is bliss—the most profound state of all. Bliss transcends circumstances. It is a quiet, expansive state of being in harmony with life, often described in spiritual traditions as the joy of simply existing. Bliss can arise in moments of deep meditation, in awe of nature, or in surrender to a higher presence. Unlike pleasure or happiness, it does not require “something to happen.” It is self-sustaining.

For me, the understanding of these distinctions became clearer through my long association with my ex-boss and informal happiness coach, Mr. Subhash Mohindru. My relationship with him spanned nearly three decades—first as a boss, then as a mentor, and eventually as a dear friend. What set him apart was his natural ability to reframe life’s challenges into sources of humour and wisdom.

Once, stuck in a rural guesthouse with erratic electricity, he cheerfully remarked, “At least the mosquitoes here are well-fed; they won’t trouble us much tonight.” It was his way of showing that while we can’t control circumstances, we can always choose our inner response. He believed that happiness is less about chasing highs and more about cultivating steadiness—a middle path. “If you depend on external things too much,” he would say, “you will always be bargaining with life. But if you can enjoy them without clutching, you will stay lighter.”

His insights echo modern research. Positive psychology suggests that pleasure, engagement, and meaning are all essential for a fulfilling life, each playing different roles. Pleasures brighten our days, joy strengthens our bonds, and meaning gives life its long arc of satisfaction. Bliss, meanwhile, may be rare, but even a fleeting taste of it can transform how we see the world. So perhaps the real question is not “How can I be happy?” but “How can I move freely along this continuum—from pleasure to joy to bliss—without getting stuck in one place?” The answer lies in awareness. Notice the little pleasures without clinging to them. Savour joy when it arises, and nurture it by giving and connecting. And when moments of bliss arrive—those times when life feels perfectly whole—rest in them without grasping.

As I begin this series, I feel grateful for the many teachers—formal and informal—who have shaped my understanding of happiness. Mr. Subhash Mohindru was one such teacher. His legacy reminds me that happiness is not a destination but a practice; not an object to be possessed, but a rhythm to be lived. The journey ahead in this column will explore related themes—purpose, balance, belonging—and how they interact with our inner and outer worlds. For now, perhaps the best way to begin is in the spirit Mr Mohindru carried: find something to smile about today, however small, and let it ripple outward.

(Maninder is a seasoned BFSI industry executive, strategic consultant, and trusted advisor to leading MNCs and innovative FinTech startups. He lives in Chandigarh.)