A Calm Mind Is The Main Ingredient Of Success

When Mark Zuckerberg asked Steve Jobs what he should do to become successful, he was stunned at the answer. Steve Jobs told him to go to an ashram in India! What does an ashram provide that a business school doesn't?

The Bhagwad Gita speaks of serenity of mind as the main ingredient of success . When the mind is calm, intellect is sharp, and action is brilliant. However intelligent or talented you may be, if the mind is agitated, intellect cannot think properly, and action is flawed. No business school in the world addresses this issue.

The Gita, written 5,000 years ago, addresses the Arjuns of today: dynamic, ambitious young adults seeking excellence. It prescribes the formula for success.

Do you feel deprived or blessed? Are you driven by deficiency motivation? Then, you are bored, which leads to frustration and failure. When you are deeply grateful for the abundance you have been gifted with, you develop the irresistible urge to give, contribute, and add value to people. You become creative, motivated, and successful. Abundance is a state of mind unconnected with material assets. Sudama was a pauper but always felt abundant. The richest man may feel deprived.

Identify your passion, talent, or gift. Set a higher goal in that field. Work in a spirit of service and sacrifice for that ideal. Selfish action leads to mediocrity. The thought of self is the greatest obstacle to success. The world's achievers had a vision beyond mere personal profit and glory. Don Bradman did not play cricket for money. Ustad Bismillah Khan played the shehnai for the sheer love of it. Einstein was dedicated to Physics.

When your attention shifts from the world to the Beyond, you perform selfless action. Eric Liddell, the outstanding athlete nicknamed the 'flying Scotsman', won the Olympic Gold against all odds. His motto was - God made me to run, and I will run for the Divine. When asked how he ran the 400m so fast, his answer was simple. He said - I run the first 200m as fast as I can. God enables me to run the balance 200m.

Action is under your command. Fruit is dependent on factors beyond your influence. Dependence on the fruit makes you a slave to the world. A century in cricket or a promotion at work is not under your control. But nobody can take away the fact that you are an outstanding person. Find fulfilment in the action. Give your best to it. You gain merit. You become independent of the result, and success comes to you. Such a person is defined as a sannyasi - a person of renunciation. Not a celibate priest or one who has retired to the Himalayas.

How do you feel towards your colleagues and fellow workers? Does the adrenaline of competition fire your ambition or are you motivated by the soft power of togetherness and love? Love has a magical effect. You see the best in others. This motivates them to give their best and you build strong teams. Drudgery turns to revelry. A difficult task gets done in an environment of fun, laughter and camaraderie. And happiness increases.

Authored by: Jaya Row