JOIN USThere are a wide, divergent set of criteria, parameters and yardsticks by which one defines the rather subjective adjective of being “successful”.
People with wide-ranging perspectives and perceptions give as many definitions of “success” as there are traits with positive connotations.
So, while many would aver that such qualities, like being beautiful, talented, rich and famous may garner one labels of being “successful”, it is in reality a much deeper question.
A person who is consistently successful has to be a hardworking, driven and focused person who does not take short cuts or one who does not cut corners.
What exactly does it entail for a person to be called “spiritually successful?”
For a start, being spiritually successful does not entail having alluring physical attributes nor does it involve any materialistic or business acumen.
There are many saintly persons who have given their all to uplift and ameliorate society and make the world a better place.
For example, persons like Mother Teresa, Medha Patkar, Swami Nithyananda, Swami Vivekananda, Amrita Anandamayi, Baba Amte, Albert Schweitzer, Florence Nightingale, Akkamahadevi, among others, can all be cited as spiritually advanced persons.
Many a rich person thinks that he can “bribe” God by parting with fractions of his wealth on festive occasions.
Little do these rich people realise that God knows everything and can accurately judge and size up situations since He can read one’s mind and nothing can be hidden from Him.
Some people think they can be “spiritually successful” by performing elaborate rituals, poojas and bhajans.
This, too, does not fool God for He would be able to distinguish when persons are just mechanically praying with complicated rituals and when the prayer (even if simple) is from the heart and therefore sincere.
Therefore, one should, in one’s own humble endeavour, lead an ethical, upright life of prayer, meditation and service, and make one’s life a repository of truth and kindness.
One can repeatedly chant God’s names and translate one’s devotion into helping humanity.
The late Sathya Sai Baba has reiterated time and again at Prasanthi Nilayam: “Hands that help are better than lips that pray.”
Robin Sharma wrote in his best-selling book, “The Monk who sold his Ferrari,” the true story of how a wealthy tycoon sold his Ferrari car and parted with his wealth as a leading CEO spending the rest of his life leading a low-profile life of spiritual fulfillment.
Are politicians who serve society spiritually successful people? April, being the month of elections, saw high turnout of voters to vote for their electoral leaders.
Though the scores of leaders cried themselves hoarse at public functions on their service to society, it is yet to be seen in the days to come whether they will indeed live up to their promises.
Gone are the days when during Independence, India had such stalwart politicians, like Mahatma Gandhi, who was a sparkling combination of being a shrewd, astute politician and a saintly spiritual man.
With all his heart, soul and mind, Gandhi did believe that “Service to man is service to God” and sincerely lived up to that mantra.