Dhamma-Vicaya

Everyone works hard to be successful and everybody has different understanding of the meaning of success. Hence it is safe to presume that everyone has their own measure of success too. However, there is a general evaluation of success that is conducted by society at large. How much do you earn? How beautiful do you look? Do you have a big house and nice car? Is your mobile I-Phone or Blackberry? Are you in contact with police officers and politicians? Can you influence Municipal Corporation to get the work done? Are you a secretary or a president in your locality? Does the security guard at your office salute you? Does your boss consider you closest ally? Are your colleagues scared of you or treat you as their leader? 

So may versions of success and power!!! It seems there are more versions than the there are people on earth and it's growing with rate much faster than that of world population. The trouble is though that everybody here wants to be successful in all the aspects of life. We all do, don't we? I am not saying it is right or wrong but I am only saying that it is queer. To be honest, I may want all the successes listed above and still crave for more. Same may be true for everyone else I know. And I think that is the primary reason for human advancement. Our hunger and thirst to achieve more - learn more has pushed humanity to a continuous progressive course. 

How can I be successful? This is the billion dollar question. And it's not that there is no answer, problem is that there are infinite answers to it. Every day one reads about a new success story - parents, teachers, relatives, neighbors, bosses, political leaders, athletes, actors, bureaucrats, spiritual or management gurus - all of them have their own success story - their own brand of pathway to success. Funny is that most of us believed that theirs is the only route to victory? 

Recently I have encountered with too many people talking about the ability of subconscious mind. Be it a sports coach, a mind power guru, a spiritual leader or a corporate trainer, all of them talk about the abundant powers of mind. How by harnessing the mind we can achieve anything that we desire. Furthermore, there are so many techniques suggested to do so. I also found that all of them have a faithful following that are ready to vouch for the viability of the techniques and teachings of their respective gurus. Mind-Power learning’s, Reiki, Buddhism, Corporate training all of them preach the same point in their unique manner. 

What troubles me is that none of it is working for me! Success creates conceit and failure, self-doubt. I was told that when a person goes through tough times, a sense of betrayal creeps into him. A sense that everyone is against you and no one will genuinely extend help. Has that happened to anyone of you? If it has, you might understand. If you have come out of it, you might have a few advises to give. PLEASE SPARE ME.

I am not saying this out of arrogance but exhaustion. There are so many absolutely certain ways to attain accomplishment I am told and taught; so many ways I have learned, heard or read about. Everyone around me is exceptionally knowledgeable and they leave no effort in educating me. The funny part is that people who are responsible for disruption are pretending to be supporters now. Everyone loves to preach when you are in a state of confusion. Clarity is the key.

Clarity of what to do next is a rare gift enjoyed by exceptional talents. Clarity of one’s shortcomings is the tool that can be exercised by ordinary individuals. Most of the time, I have found, that I am pretty good at anything I do. I am smart, sincere and hard working. I attribute my successes to my good fortune and blessings while take ownership of my failures. I crib, no doubt but mainly I maintain a positive attitude. 

What then is the reason of my sufferings?

I believe I have found it. I know the reasons. Would you like to know? Well, I am going to tell you anyway.

1. High expectations - I have too high expectations from myself and people around me. I am no Tendulkar, Kalam or Rahman and I can't seem to take it. Some people might say that nothing wrong in wanting to be exceptional. But what if that ambition destroys your happiness and doesn't let you enjoy whatever success you may have achieved. Besides, who am I to demand or expect others to act and behave as per my expectations!!! This is utterly thick. And the more I am working on this, the better I find myself.

2. Composure - Scriptures teaches that a wise man remains undeterred in adverse as well as flattering circumstances. No one can be wiser than the scripture, can they? Where do we learn our reactions from? Home? School? Friends? Society? May be from all of them. Now, it is not possible to go back and change the circumstances of your upbringing. But it surely is possible to bring caution to your nature. 

3. 95% - Statistically this might be a good score and in reality also it may take you some distance. However, this is NOT ENOUGH. Never ever this can be enough if you are desirous of ultimate victory. It pains me to write even that I lack remaining 5%, the last mile as they call it. 

So, as you see, I know what I need to work upon. I also know that it is not easy and it is only I who can influence, no one else can do it for me. And that sucks...

You know, I am gifted with a big brain and knowledge is never my problem. I know what is good and what needs to be done, it’s the doing that pulls me down.