If we wish to attain any objective in life, the secret to success is to stick to that goal without wavering for a moment, says Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj
If we look at the lives of saints and great masters throughout the ages, we find one quality that was critical to their success. It was not that they were born with superhuman abilities. It was not that they were more than human. The quality that set them apart was a diligent commitment to their life’s spiritual goal. They set their eyes upon their stars and did not stop until they reached their goal. If we wish to attain any objective in life, the secret to success is to stick to that goal through rain or shine, or through smooth-sailing or rough waters. This is true whether we wish to attain a spiritual goal or a worldly achievement.
Even people who attained worldly goals in sports, sciences, or arts have accomplished wonders through a firm commitment to their objective.
In this connection, we have an anecdote from the life of the great Indian writer, poet and thinker, Rabindranath Tagore. He established Shantiniketan and would work hard there everyday. Once Mahatma Gandhi, while visiting Shantiniketan in 1939, gave a public talk. After the talk, he spent time with Tagore, sharing topics of interest to both of them. After lunch, Gandhi went to take rest when some of the ashram workers who were followers of Tagore approached him.
“Can you help us, GandhijiIJ” they asked. “What is itIJ’’ enquired the Mahatma.
“We are worried about the health of Rabindranath Tagore. He is not keeping well. The doctors advised him to take rest, but he refuses. After lunch, he immediately goes back to work and does not take a moment’s rest. We do not want his health to fail,” they said.
Then Gandhi asked, “Why do you want me to tell himIJ” They said, “We know he will not go against your advice.”
Gandhi agreed to talk to Tagore on the issue. After he had his rest, the Mahatma went to Tagore’s residence. He saw that Tagore was deeply immersed in his work. When Tagore looked up and saw Gandhi there, he asked him, “Are you not comfortable here that you have come out from your rest so soonIJ”
The Mahatma said, “I have come to ask you something. Please grant it to me without knowing what it is.”
Tagore said, “I must know what it is first.”
“Fine,” said Gandhi, “I have come to ask you to take rest after your lunch so your health does not fail. You are not keeping fit these days.”
Tagore replied, “How can I do thatIJ I must tell you the truth so that you will understand. When I was 12, I put on the sacred thread. At that ceremony, I took a vow never to rest at any time during the day for any reason. Up to now I have kept that vow. How many more years do I have to liveIJ Why would I break that vow nowIJ”
Tagore’s firm determination and commitment to his promise moved Gandhi. For 67 years, Tagore had never rested in the day time. After hearing this, the Mahatma said, “Now I know the secret of your success!”
If someone can make a commitment to a worldly goal and achieve great success, as Tagore had done, imagine what one can do in the spiritual realm. If we could commit to our meditation with the same determination as Tagore had done to his worldly work, we too would be successful. The trouble is not that we are incapable of spiritual progress — because that gift is available to each of us — but that we lack commitment. One day we meditate for a few minutes, then for the next few days we do not meditate at all, and then we meditate an hour on a following day, and maybe every so often we put in long hours on a special day. This is not true commitment. That is only a half-hearted attempt. But if we put in regular time and effort, we would find the progress we seek.
For those who truly wish spiritual progress, it is possible by a firm commitment to the goal. If we could make the commitment and stick to it as diligently as Tagore did towards his worldly goal, we would be soaring into the inner spiritual planes and achieve unbound peace and happiness.
The writer is a spiritual master