The Price for Success

A young man strode into the monastery. The monks were deep in meditation, oblivious to his presence. He tip-toed around them, found an empty space near the master, and sat there.

New to meditation, he didn't know what to do. He stared around for some time. All the monks looked so peaceful and serene. Even though their eyes were closed, their expression was lit up with an aura of happiness.

Happiness and peace of mind is what he sought. He closed his eyes. The darkness consumed him. Insecurities began to brew. Voices creeped in, ringing loud in his head. Flashes of despair, arguments, and failures started to do the rounds. He didn't feel at peace. He wanted the darkness to go away. He opened his eyes.

The hum from the chants was vibrating through his body, breaking his thoughts. He felt relieved.

It seemed like eternity until the meditation ended, and one by one, the monks dispersed. The master stayed.

He looked deeply into the young man's eyes; he could hear the angst in his unsaid words.

"It's easy for you to be at peace. You have cut yourself away from the real world," the young man tried to defend his despair.

"If you look at it that way, then yes, we paid a price for our peace in stepping away from the material ways of the world, or success as you define it. We chose to live in the envelope of good morals, values and personal evolution. But know this, young man, while we may appear to be away from 'your world', we still operate by the 'ways of your world'. The monastery runs like an organisation. There is finance, housekeeping, training, quality, PR, community service, and expansion. It's a machinery of departments that operates to keep the purpose functioning, exactly like yours." The master smiled. "There is a price for the 'life-style' you choose. By your standards, you feel we paid a heavy price of being detached from materialistic needs for our peace and evolution."

The young man listened intently.

"You seem to be a very successful man. It is evident in your mannerism. Tell me, what price have you paid for the insecurities and distress you hold in your heart? What has been the price of your success?" The master's curiosity led to a soul-searching silence.

"My success has had a heavy price tag of self-respect, my health and my happiness." The young man's voice quivered. He loosened his tie, rolled up his sleeves and crossed his legs. He looked submissively at the master as he folded his hands, "And I do not wish to pay that price anymore." He closed his eyes, ready to confront the self-inflicted darkness of compromises and drive it away from his life.

Summary:

1. Define what Success means to you.
2. Define the price that comes with it.
3. If it costs you your self-respect, health and happiness, the success you are chasing is a delusion stealing from you the core of your personality, gifts and purpose.

Wishing you love, light and abundance,

Priya Kumar

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