5 Guiding Principles for Success

The teachings from The Bhagavad Gita can be distilled into Five Guiding Principles for achieving success. We call them the 5 Success Principles. I would like to share them here so that we may all benefit from the timeless wisdom.

1. Perform Actions Disinterestedly

??- Act without attachment to the fruits of your actions.

??- Focus on performing your duties without being driven solely by the desire for personal gain.

??- By acting selflessly, one can reach the supreme good and avoid the distress associated with attachment to outcomes.

e.g. Imagine a student studying for an exam. Instead of studying with the sole motive of getting the highest grade or impressing others, the student focuses on understanding the material and gaining knowledge. By studying disinterestedly, the student may perform better without the stress of constantly worrying about the outcome.

2. Act with a Sense of Duty and Responsibility

??- Recognize the importance of fulfilling your responsibilities and duties in the world.

??- Success is achieved by performing necessary actions that contribute to the well-being of society and the world at large.

??- Follow the path of duty, as demonstrated by kings like Janaka.

e.g. In a professional setting, consider an employee who takes on additional tasks to ensure the success of a team project, even if there is no immediate personal benefit. This sense of duty contributes to the overall success of the team and aligns with the principle of acting responsibly for the greater good.

3. Practice Equanimity and Mental Discipline

??- Maintain equanimity in the face of success and failure.

??- Perform actions with a disciplined mind, without getting attached to the results.

??- Yoga, or union, is found in the equanimity maintained during the process of action.

e.g. A business owner faces both success and setbacks. Instead of becoming overly elated with success or disheartened by failures, the owner maintains a calm and balanced mindset. This mental discipline allows for better decision-making and resilience in the face of challenges.

4. Understand the Five Factors Influencing Action

??- Recognize the five factors influencing all actions: the substrate (underlying substance) of action, the agent(s), the instruments, various activities, and fate.

??- Acknowledge the interconnectedness of these factors in shaping the outcomes of your actions.

e.g. Consider an entrepreneur launching a new product. The success of this venture depends on factors such as the quality of the product (substrate), the entrepreneur's skills and mindset (agent), the tools and technology used in production (instruments), the marketing and distribution strategies (activities), and external factors like market conditions (fate). Recognizing and understanding these factors can inform strategic decision-making.

5. Cultivate Clarity and Knowledge for Successful Action

??- Act with clarity, obligation, and without attachment.

??- Understand that successful action is performed selflessly, not driven by personal desires or aversions.

??- Cultivate knowledge, focus on the object of knowledge, and understand the role of the knower in the process of action.

e.g. A leader guiding a team through a challenging project focuses on the clarity of purpose and the well-being of the team rather than personal accolades. By acting without attachment to personal success or fearing failure, the leader fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment, increasing the likelihood of project success.

By embracing these guiding principles as shared in The Bhagavad Gita, one can navigate the complexities of life, perform actions with purpose and integrity, and ultimately achieve success in a holistic and meaningful way.