Way to Success
The path to true success and fulfillment in life is paved with the principle of renunciation. Contrary to popular belief, the way to gain anything is to first let go of it. Attachment and possession are the enemies of progress, while detachment and dispassion are the keys to unlocking the true riches of life.
Attach and Lose, Detach and Gain
Consider the phenomenon of color. When an object reflects all colors except one, it appears in that single color. For instance, a rose appears red because it absorbs all other colors and reflects only the red wavelength. This is a striking illustration of the law of life: what you give, you gain; what you hold onto, you lose.
Just as the rose gains its vibrant red hue by giving away the other colors, you too can gain the true wealth and prosperity of life by letting go of your attachments and possessions.
The more you cling to the objects and people of the world, the more you become a slave to them. Your happiness becomes dependent on the whims of external factors, leaving you at the mercy of constant worry and anxiety. On the other hand, when you adopt an attitude of detachment and renunciation, the world starts to court you. As Swami Rama Tirtha eloquently stated, "The way to gain anything is to lose it."
Renunciation: The Path to Prosperity
Renunciation, in its truest form, does not mean abandoning all action and retreating from the world. It is, in fact, the key to unlocking your true potential and achieving remarkable success. Sattvik renunciation, the highest form of renunciation, involves performing your obligatory duties and responsibilities in life with a spirit of detachment, without any selfish motives or attachment to the fruits of your actions.
Step 1
Identify your inherent nature and choose a field of activity that is consistent with your svadharma (natural inclination). This will not only bring you joy and fulfillment but also ensure that your actions are aligned with your true purpose.
Step 2
Maintain an attitude of impersonal objectivity in your work. Avoid getting entangled in the web of likes, dislikes, and egoistic attachments. Let your intellect guide your actions, rather than your emotions and impulses.
Step 3
Perform your duties and responsibilities with a spirit of service, without any expectation of personal gain or reward. As Thomas Huxley wisely stated, "The most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not."
When you approach your work in this manner, your actions become efficient, dynamic, and powerful. You no longer waste your energy in futile pursuits, but instead, direct it towards a higher purpose that benefits not just yourself, but the entire world around you.
The Paradox of Possession
The more you try to hold on to the objects and people of the world, the more they elude you. This paradox is beautifully illustrated by the example of the turkey and the ant, as mentioned in Chapter X:
"The turkey and the ant illustrate the paradox of introversion. The turkey, oblivious to its inner wealth, is drawn towards the external world, seeking power and joy in the material realm. In contrast, the ant, aware of its inherent strength, remains content within its own domain, unaffected by the lure of the outside world."
Just as the turkey, in its ignorance, tries to grasp the head of its own shadow, only to see it recede further, you too will find that the more you chase after the objects of the world, the more elusive they become. The true source of happiness and fulfillment lies within you, and it is only through the practice of renunciation that you can unlock this inner treasure.
So, let go of your attachments, embrace detachment, and watch as the world starts to embrace you in return. This is the way to true success and prosperity, both in the material and spiritual realms.