True Success

By

Sri Swami Atmaswarupananda

Fourth Early Morning Meditation Talk given during the Annual Christmas Retreat–Spirituality Means Change–in Gurudev’s sacred Samadhi Hall, Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh.

No matter the difficulties in the meantime, the promise of the spiritual life is a peace that passeth understanding, joy, total satisfaction. We think of these characteristics in terms of our own understanding, but our own understanding may not be the scriptural definition.

For example, one description of that exalted condition is that success and failure are the same. And yet we are urged to be determined to succeed and to do everything we can to achieve the goal; because if we sit back with the attitude that success and failure are the same, it is not likely we will make much progress in the spiritual life. Therefore, we must be determined to succeed and refuse to fail.

But then, it is the experience of most of us that our own efforts don’t seem to get us too far. And so ultimately we begin to understand that because we’re going from the known to the Unknown we need a guide. In the earlier stages normally that guide will be external, a guru, the scriptures. But finally they turn us to an inner guide. There is something within–beyond our mind–that we must rely upon for guidance. And the more we practise this, the more valid we find it to be. But still we want to succeed. We haven’t really surrendered to that inner Guide, because we have our own ideas of what success is.

But perhaps the true measurement of success is simply the degree to which we surrender to that inner guidance. If we come to recognise this, then we begin to get a glimpse of what is meant by success and failure being the same. Our only criteria of success is to depend upon that inner guidance. What the outward result of that guidance is no longer matters to us; we are living on a different basis.

This is one way of understanding the theme of the retreat: Spirituality Means Change. It means a gradual change from being determined to succeed in achieving a goal of our imagination to a recognition that true success is in letting go of all our goals, and being an instrument of that inner guidance.

There is, of course, a factor in us that does not want this surrender. That factor is what we call ego. But there is also within us a wisdom that knows that that is the goal and that that is a peace that passes understanding.

This is the change we want to bring about, a change from our own wisdom to the wisdom of our inner Self, our inner Guide. And this is possible for any of us no matter what our outer circumstances may be.

True Success By Sri Swami Atmaswarupananda

True Success by Sri Swami Atmaswarupananda teaches that real success is not measured merely by wealth, fame, power, or material achievements, but by inner peace, purity, spiritual wisdom, devotion, self-discipline, and God-realisation. The message of True Success explains that worldly accomplishments are temporary, while spiritual growth and divine consciousness bring lasting happiness and fulfilment. A person may possess material prosperity yet remain restless and dissatisfied without spiritual awareness. The wisdom of True Success encourages seekers to cultivate truth, compassion, humility, faith, self-control, meditation, prayer, and selfless service in daily life. Devotional India continues to preserve and spread these timeless teachings of spirituality, Yoga, Bhakti, Vedanta, and divine living.

The teachings of True Success inspire humanity to overcome fear, anger, greed, ego, selfishness, attachment, and negativity through sincere spiritual practice and righteous living. Through meditation, chanting, devotion, positive thinking, and remembrance of God, the mind becomes calm, pure, and spiritually awakened. The message of True Success reminds seekers that success should uplift not only oneself but also society through kindness, service, morality, and universal love. Devotional India encourages individuals to follow the sacred path of divine life, meditation, spiritual discipline, and self-realisation.

The spiritual wisdom of True Success also teaches that true greatness lies in purity of heart, noble character, devotion, and the ability to remain peaceful during difficulties and challenges. A spiritually awakened person lives with simplicity, contentment, patience, and compassion. The teachings of True Success guide humanity toward inner harmony, divine consciousness, eternal truth, and spiritual fulfilment. Devotional India continues to spread the sacred message of spirituality, righteousness, faith, and God-consciousness for the upliftment of all seekers.

-Sense of Urgency in Sadhana