Detach Yourself From Success

Oswald Pereira

In todays competitive world,whats the best path to success at the workplace Sakama karma or self-centred action may seem to be practical for those aspiring to instantly beat competition,but it may also end up to be a case of short-lived success.Sakama karma may not be bad in itself and may even seem essential to succeed,but the true karmayogi transcends desire to reach the exalted state of nishkama karma or selfless action.Then success is not a primary objective;yet it is more meaningful,sustainable and long term because when you put service above self,the more you give,the more you receive. Theres nothing wrong in being successful but when success becomes an obsession or pathological attachment,danger creeps in,like a hidden demon waiting to strike.The Bhagwad Gita says,One who performs his duty without attachment,surrendering the results unto the Supreme,is unaffected by sinful action,just as the lotus is untouched by water. Detachment doesnt mean you should not aspire to reach the top in your career.Your journey must be suffused with a sound proportion of detachment.Being detached in no way means you should not pursue success.The real meaning of detachment is to realise that nothing is permanent. Success,too,is not permanent.Dont successful people face ups and downs in their careers A professional who practises detachment will take failure in his stride and when faced with success,he will not make a song and dance of it. When you climb the ladder of success,remember that if you go beyond the last step without looking,you may fall flat on your face.As children,when we played the snake and ladder game,didnt we fall to the lowest level from the top when the snake was there waiting for you just when you thought you had won Success is like that game.You may be on top at a point in time,but could reach rock bottom if you dont watch your step.If you have learnt the practice of detachment,the fall will not hit you hard and youll recover your loss and regain your position at the top soon enough.Pranic healer Choa Kok Sui says,Detachment means de-attachment.Life is a series of attachments and deattachments,a series of holding and releasing,of connecting and disconnectingbecause things change and often,for the better.

Detachment is one of the supreme ideals of Jainism.Non-possession implied by non-attachment is among the mahavratas,the five great vows Jain monks observe.Buddhist texts mention detachment or non-attachment as nekkhamma or renunciation.It means giving up worldly pleasures and living a sacred life,free from lust,craving and desires. In Zen Buddhist philosophy,detachment is termed wu nian literally meaning no-thought.Are all these wise teachings feasible to follow today The answer lies in you.So why not try to follow them,if not in letter,then in spirit Detachment is a process rather than a single event.We need to work at loosening our hold on perceived achievements and possessions gradually until we finally come free of the situation of needless obsession and attachment. Detachment cannot be achieved in a day;it is not a one-time affair but a lifelong slow,steady and conscientious endeavour.Try it,but do it slowly,bit by bit,one step at a timetill you reach that level of maturity when you can look at both success and failure with equanimity.Post your comments at speakingtree.in