Not at all; in fact, it is the other way round in worldly life!
Various philosophies, religious scriptures, school teachers and our very own spiritual Guru too, have always emphasized on cultivating selflessness in every sphere of life. They preach, teach and nurture in us the moral value of being non-selfish, lovingly persuading us to overcome our selfish tendencies, and selflessly encouraging and pushing us to render voluntary, selfless service to the needy in society.
One does derive happiness when one has a successful personal relationship, or gets a good promotion at workplace, or their daughter stands first in school, etc. However, when one chooses selfishness as the ingredient to derive personal happiness, such happiness does not last long! Even while things outside are happy and merry, the fire of selfishness in such a being constantly keeps burning him inside, making him feel only unhappy.
Let us take an example: Say, a person gets promoted to a higher post! This makes him very happy since it is something that he has always been dreaming of. However, his happiness is short-lived, for he soon finds that he has no one to celebrate his good news with. In order to grab this post, he had chosen to become a workaholic. He forgot his family, his friends, and his colleagues too.
He became selfish and disregarded his own people’s little and basic needs, and thought it is perfectly fine to do so, as he was busy working his heart out to get to this position, which according to him was the priority thing that would make him happy in life. Consequently, he is standing all alone, with a sobbing heart, holding onto his higher post! Furthermore, this happiness does not give him peace of mind either? From the very next day, a fear that a few selfish people around him were eyeing his activities to get him off the post haunted him day and night.
He was once again slogging hard to maintain his coveted position with all his might. And in another few days, he is in the race for a new position, which he now thinks would prove to be safer and better for him.
Just think about it – is there any end to this? And amidst this selfishness, can anyone experience any kind of happiness? Even when somebody volunteers to serve others, but with a selfish interest and greed for fame and recognition, it creates a lot of difficulties for him. This is a natural law!
Where there is selfishness, the word ‘happiness’ is only an illusion!
•The law of Nature is such that what you sow is what you reap. Therefore, when one's intentions are devious, external difficulties naturally arise; whereas for the one who is free from beggary and expectations, amidst all adversities also, things work smooth and fine for him. So, it is a myth that it is necessary to be self-centered in order to become successful.
•Happy people are self-sufficient; in fact they support others so that others feel happy. And when you give happiness, you get happiness in abundance!
•On the other hand, there is nothing but suffering and sadness in selfishness. Because happiness comes from the feeling of contentment, whereas selfishness never allows this feeling to get in. Selfish attitude keeps one immersed in the misery of constant comparison. Moreover, in selfishness, one always wants things to happen their way; they cannot accept an adverse outcome.
•Selfishness binds our vision and makes us very narrow-minded; also we keep hurting people around us without even being aware of it and thereby cause disturbed relationships.
Hence, selfishness is actually not a required ingredient to personal happiness at all.
What should be the ingredients for personal happiness then?
•Find happiness in every situation.
•Do not compare. Focus on what you have with you, and enjoy it to the brim.
•There is so much of joy in helping others. So serve for a good cause.
•See what your worth is, and make the most of it by sincerely giving your best to society.
•If you get a chance, surely contribute your services in support for the salvation of the world!!
Pursue your goals and follow your ambitions but:
•with a clean and pure inner intention that ‘May no being be ever hurt by my thoughts, speech or my actions.’ This intention works wonders at the subtle level!
•with an obliging nature. We will not incur any loss in life nor experience any obstacles, when it is spent serving and obliging others. Our noble wishes get fulfilled, and we get good sleep.
When service to people is done without any desire for name and fame, it is the real service indeed. People will shower praises and respect for our good service; however we should not have any selfish motive behind it. Moreover, the law of Nature states that whenever we become instrumental for other people’s happiness, Nature automatically fulfills all our needs and keeps us contented; and it automatically takes us to a higher level, both in materialistic as well as in our spiritual endeavors.
Pujya Deepakbhai Desai, having provided selfless service all his life, and even today, who is constantly working for other people’s personal happiness only, is a divine living example amongst us!!!
Despite His involvement in worldly life, he spent all His spare time serving Gnani directly and indirectly. With a pure intention in His heart, He has tirelessly carried out every task assigned to Him with utmost sincerity, right from sweeping the floor and putting floor mats, to writing, compiling and editing Param Pujya Dadashri's satsangs for books and other publications.
He has always worked behind the scene silently and selflessly, assisting activities that benefit the spiritual progress of masses. And when Nature pulled Him out and placed Him forward to become a major instrument for the salvation of the whole world, He is doing a splendid job bringing peace and eternal joy in the lives of many. And yet He humbly attributes all his success to His spiritual Gurus’ grace.
He does not have an iota of selfishness, and has attained eternal personal happiness-that never leaves. It is highly recommended to attend the Gnan Vidhi conducted by Pujya Deepakbhai as this will help us experience eternal bliss, after which it becomes very easy and natural to come out of all our worldly selfishness!!
Please visit: https://www.dadabhagwan.org/self-realization/
Ambalal M. Patel was a civil contractor by profession. In June 1958, spontaneous Self-Realization occurred within Ambalal M. Patel. From this point on, Ambalal became a Gnani Purush, and the Lord that manifest within him became known as Dada Bhagwan. A Gnani Purush is One who has realized the Self and is able help others do the same. Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan used to go from town to town and country-to-country to give satsang (spiritual discourse) and impart the knowledge of the Self, as well as knowledge of harmonious worldly interactions to everyone who came to meet him. This spiritual science, known as Akram Vignan, is the step-less path to Self-realization.