Everybody wants success, but have you ever wondered why? Because we have been taught that success is happiness. But is it true? No, it is not. Success is not happiness. It is the other way round—happiness is success. For when we are happy, we are already successful.
Today, everybody is running a race. Everybody wants to be an ace. Therefore, life has become a chase, and in the end, we are all caught in a maze. We do not realize that happiness is about living with grace. How can we be happy?
Does it mean that we should not be successful? Does it mean that we should not make money? Does it mean that we should not enjoy pleasures? Of course, we should. How can we not enjoy pleasures? But what if we can discover a greater treasure? A treasure of peace. A treasure where we discover our purpose and then enjoy every pleasure without pain. Happiness is not only about how happy we are; it is also about how unhappy we are not. And this is spirituality.
Spirituality: The Science of Happiness
Spirituality is the science of happiness. Spirituality is that journey where we understand that success has three peaks, not just achievement, money, name, fame and power but also fulfillment, where we are content, satisfied, grateful, where we live with peace, counting our blessings and sharing them with others. And finally, there is the ultimate peak of Enlightenment, where we realize the purpose of life: Who am I and why am I here? We realize we are the immortal Soul, a part of the Supreme Immortal Power we call God. True success, thus, is not money in the bank. True success is being able to use that money effectively. It is living purposefully.
Why does spirituality matter more than so-called success in today's fast-paced world? Because spirituality takes us from success to significance. It is the only way to lasting happiness.
From Achievement to Enlightenment
Spirituality is the science that helps us evolve from achievement to fulfillment to Enlightenment, from pleasure to peace to purpose, where we are able to truly enjoy this journey called life. We have forgotten the truth that an increase in wealth does not lead to a corresponding increase in happiness. On the contrary, it often leads to a reduction in happiness. We have forgotten that running on the Hedonic Treadmill, chasing pleasures and money, will get us nowhere. We have forgotten that real success is not achievement.
Spirituality teaches us that we have to evolve from achievement to Enlightenment, for which we need to transcend and reach the plateau of fulfillment. Today, what does success promise: power, lust and billions? But is that what we truly want? What we want is peace, love and bliss. But success does not promise this. Success is a roller coaster that takes us from excitement to entertainment. However, what are we actually seeking? Lasting bliss which is Enlightenment.
Enlightenment remains a distant dream without spirituality. Unfortunately, we think spirituality is meant for sages, renunciates and those who do not want to enjoy life. The truth is, those who are spiritually awakened are the happiest people in the world. Those who are enlightened are the most successful people in the world. The rest zoom from womb to tomb without realizing what life is, what the true meaning of success is. Therefore, it is time to pause and find the cause of our existence.
The Answer to Enjoying Success
Spirituality is the answer to enjoying success. Happiness does not come from making money; it comes from spending it wisely. And only the spiritually awakened know how to live without sinking, blinking and thinking that money is happiness.
Of course, we need money. We need money to fulfill our needs. But there is a sweeter honey—the honey of eternal peace, Divine love and everlasting bliss.
Give spirituality a chance, and then you will taste true success. You will grow beyond achievement, enjoy fulfillment and reach the ultimate peak of Enlightenment.
Authored by: AiR – Atman in Ravi, Happiness Ambassador
