Recently, a thought-provoking blog post, abridged from The Book of Secrets and published on Osho Times International’s platform (www.osho.com), was featured in The Times of India. Titled Do You Want to Be Successful or Happy?, the blog offers a profound perspective on the dichotomy between societal success and true happiness.
The blog emphasizes that living intuitively leads to genuine happiness, rather than chasing worldly achievements. Citing historical figures like Jesus, it illustrates how events like the crucifixion—though seemingly tragic—allowed his teachings to transcend a few villages and shape one of the world’s leading religions. Interestingly, the blog suggests that those who orchestrated the crucifixion experienced deeper inner torment than the victim himself. This example underscores the power of inner guidance and how intuition fosters happiness, even in the absence of societal validation.
Furthermore, the blog critiques the societal notion of success, highlighting its transient and often elusive nature, driven by competition and self-centeredness, which frequently result in misery. It argues that happiness is an inward journey, independent of external accomplishments; and that true success should be measured by personal joy and contentment, rather than societal metrics.
But what exactly is personal joy? Is it static, or does it fluctuate—much like a child’s fleeting excitement over a new toy that loses its charm over time? While a child’s joy may be temporary, it vividly demonstrates the essence of pure happiness, albeit momentarily. What if this fleeting feeling of joy could be transformed into something permanent and eternal, free from dependence on external stimuli? Where does one find such enduring joy? Perhaps it is something to be self-explored and self-defined.
In today’s fast-paced world, the pursuit of success often feels like an unending race, leaving many to question: is it possible to achieve success while remaining truly happy? Drawing inspiration from Osho’s profound insights and the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, we can explore pathways to harmonize these seemingly conflicting aspirations.
Spirituality and Joy
Osho, the spiritual luminary, once remarked, “Success is the outer achievement; happiness is the inner fulfilment.” Often, we mistake one for the other, chasing external accomplishments while neglecting the nourishment of our inner being. Success, as defined by societal metrics like wealth, fame, or status, may offer temporary satisfaction. However, without inner harmony, this satisfaction is fleeting.
The societal parameters of success primarily serve to appease the ego, and even that is temporary. For instance, those who hold high positions for many years often face profound misery when their tenure ends, much like power-hungry politicians whose behaviour can become pitiable or even laughable once they lose their authority. This demonstrates that wealth, fame, or status are inadequate measures of true happiness. At best, they offer a temporary reprieve to the ego, but they fail to provide lasting fulfilment.
I don’t consider myself qualified to guide anyone spiritually—for I am an explorer, not a master. My limited experience, however, has taught me that I have found greater satisfaction in non-material pursuits than in material ones.
Some years ago, my late father was sitting with me and asked, “What have you earned in your life?” His question stemmed from the belief that I was, in his view, squandering money on what he considered non-essential activities, such as taking my children on annual holidays. For me, these pursuits were an essential part of their education. I calmly replied, “Two capable children—one an IITian and the other in JNU.”
My response didn’t satisfy him, as he measured success through financial wealth—bank balances, property, and tangible assets. My own metrics, however, were different, and I was convinced of my choices. My happiness lay in knowing that I had raised children equipped with good values and a solid education—qualities that cannot be measured in a passbook or by materialistic standards.
For me, non-material happiness has always held a higher status than material success. It is reflected in the intangible joys of experiences, relationships, and passing on meaningful values—things that endure far longer than any material possessions ever could.
The Bhagavad Gita says:
संस्पर्शजा भोगा दुःखयोनय एव ते।
आद्यन्तवन्तः कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुधः॥ (5.22)
Translation: The pleasures born of sensory contact are verily the wombs of sorrow. They have a beginning and an end, O son of Kunti, and the wise take no delight in them.
Explanation: Material pleasures are fleeting and often lead to discontent when they fade. The wise find happiness in inner tranquillity rather than in the transient satisfaction of external desires.
Yet, the joys arising from experiences, relationships, and passing on meaningful values might also have a diminishing impact as the years pass by. The children in whom one transfers good values also acquire their own experiences and develop their own preferences as they grow up—these might or might not align with one’s own thoughts. After all, the generation gap is an eternal truth! Likewise, the joy arising from the innocence of a child soon fades into memories, and the meaning of worldly relationships can change over time. To navigate this, the Bhagavad Gita advises detachment.
(कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचनः।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूमा मा सङ्गोस्त्व कर्मण्येः॥) (2.47),
Krishna advises Arjuna:
“You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits thereof. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.”
This profound teaching shifts the focus from result-oriented success to action-oriented purpose. Success, in this light, is not about accumulating accolades but about fulfilling one’s duties with sincerity and unattachment.
“ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंसः संगस्तेषूपजायते।
संगात्संजायते कामः कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते॥” (2.62)
The Root of Misalignment
Happiness eludes us when we attach it to external outcomes. Osho often spoke about the trap of ambition, saying, “Ambition is the path of the ego, not of the soul.” The ego constantly seeks validation through achievements, creating a cycle of perpetual dissatisfaction. Similarly, Krishna’s counsel to Arjuna underlines the importance of performing actions without attachment to outcomes. This unattachment (a more involved form of detachment) allows us to act with full engagement yet remain free from the anxiety of results.
Integrating Success and Happiness
To harmonize success with happiness, we must embrace a dual approach:
Shift from Possession to Purpose
Success, when rooted in a higher purpose, transforms into a source of joy. For instance, a business leader driven not just by profits but by creating value for society finds a deeper fulfilment. This aligns with Krishna’s guidance to focus on karma (action) and let go of the fruits of labour.
I am reminded of a trip to Srisailam from Hyderabad when the taxi driver, perhaps due to his incomplete knowledge, commented on a leading business that they had not done enough for society in terms of giving away food to people, opening orphanages, widow houses, etc. I explained to him that their major contribution was to provide employment and means of livelihood to thousands and lakhs of people; the satisfaction arising from it is certainly much more lasting than distributing free food.
Cultivate Inner Awareness
Happiness emerges when we nurture our inner self. Osho emphasized meditation as the bridge to inner contentment, stating, “Meditation is the art of celebrating your aloneness.” By pausing to reflect, we reconnect with our core, allowing happiness to arise naturally, independent of external achievements.
I don’t practice meditation, but I think I find solace in the pleasure arising out of my work of writing for the children and young adults that I have chosen for myself after my career in Water Resources Engineering. Sri Krishna also brings out three paths to solace—the Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. Osho’s path of looking towards the inner self and meditating must be very enjoyable. I do reflect on my Karmas and learn from them, but I haven’t developed the capacity to sit and calm down my mind like meditating people. I believe that one chooses one’s own path to solace.
Redefine Success
The Bhagavad Gita redefines success as equanimity:
योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि संगं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥ (2.48)
“Perform your duties established in yoga, O Dhananjaya, abandoning attachment and remaining even-minded in both success and failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.”
This balanced perspective ensures that we are neither elated by success nor devastated by setbacks.
Embrace the Journey
Osho’s teachings urge us to enjoy the process rather than obsess over the goal. Similarly, Krishna’s emphasis on nishkama karma (selfless action) teaches us that true happiness lies in wholehearted engagement with the present moment.
Can One Truly Be Both?
The answer is a resounding yes—but it requires a paradigm shift. Success and happiness are not mutually exclusive; they are complementary when approached with the right mindset. The wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita and Osho’s philosophy converge on the idea that true success stems from a life lived in alignment with one’s purpose, free from the bondage of ego and attachment.
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।
अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः॥ (18.66)
“Abandon all varieties of duty and surrender unto Me alone. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.”
This surrender symbolizes letting go of external validations and trusting in the universal flow of life. When we align our actions with our inner truth, success becomes a natural outcome, and happiness—an enduring state.
Final Thoughts
The journey to being both successful and happy is not about choosing one over the other but about redefining their interplay. By acting with purpose, cultivating awareness, and embracing balance, we can lead lives that are both outwardly accomplished and inwardly fulfilled. In the words of Osho:
“Live outwardly, but remain rooted inwardly. This is the way to be in the world but not of it.”
And perhaps, that is the ultimate success.
Inspire Positivity 