10 STEPS TO HAPPINESS, HEALTH AND SUCCESS

A HARMONIOUS INDIVIDUAL HAS GOALS ON ALL LEVELS It is important to have goals on the physical, intellectual, social and spiritual levels. Examples of goals on the physical level are: attaining physical health; cleansing the system; increasing physical flexibility; recovering from illness; maintaining an attractive appearance; slowing the aging process; etc. On the intellectual level, the goals may be: developing creativity; increasing willpower; earning an academic degree; reading certain books; keeping up-to-date; learning foreign languages; etc. This level is notably higher than the first one, as is apparent even from a practical point of view. Those who are involved in a creative endeavor are more successful and happier; moreover, they are physically healthier and age more slowly. All this makes sense, given that it has been proven that practically all illnesses are psychosomatic in nature. However, viewed by a higher standard, the goals of these two levels cannot be the ultimate goals of our lives, since these desires originate from the false ego, from the concept that “I am this body”, and everything that comes from the false ego leads to personal degradation and destruction, and a life filled with fear, greed, and envy. From the standpoint of Eastern philosophy, the objective of establishing a worthy goal must exist on the intellectual level, and if there is no such goal, the objective is to create one. A wise man is distinguishable from others precisely by the benefit of having a clear goal, and understanding what he is living for and where he is headed. A life's goal can only exist on a spiritual level; however, there are many hidden dangers here too. In modern culture, spiritual values are understood as: observation of the commandments handed down by one’s religion; perusal of spiritual literature; or even partaking in the arts. Though much of this is important for our spiritual development, none of it can be the goal for our soul, only a means of achieving the goal. Furthermore, all of this rightly belongs to the previous level. What can engage the soul, filled as it is with eternity, knowledge, and bliss, the representation of the Absolute in this world? The answer is: nothing. The only thing the soul needs is unconditional love. It is said that our soul cannot live without love, just like our body cannot survive without breath. We come into this world only to cleanse our consciousness and learn to live in love. Any other ultimate life goal, however beautiful it may sound, can lead to deterioration of our soul, and thus also to the weakening of the subtle body (which consists of the mind and intellect), resulting in deterioration of the physical body. Love is the highest spiritual energy, being the basis of all other energies, and the only energy that gives bliss and the highest harmony. The less love a man possesses, the less harmonious, happy, and healthy he is. Apart from love, any other goal is unnatural and destructive. And once an individual deteriorates on the spiritual level, then in the course of time the other levels fall into decay too. Are you ready to barter love for worldly riches? It is true that a spiritual goal does imply self-discovery and social self-realization to some extent. But, unfortunately, in our society it is more usual to be engaged in an activity that brings money and prestige, rather than the activity that complements our psychological nature and talents. Still fewer people think about whether they are bettering this world through their activity. It is very important to study and become skilled at what we like and what agrees with our nature, even if it is for only a few hours a week. At the same time, the most important thing is to commit to unselfish service to others.