If we look at the lives of saints and gurus we find one quality that was critical to their success.
The quality that set them apart was a diligent commitment to their life's goals. The secret to success is to stick to your goal through rain or shine, through smooth or rough waters. This is true whether we wish to attain a spiritual goal or a worldly achievement.
Even people who attained worldly goals in the fields of sports, the sciences, or the arts have accomplished wonders through their commitment. In this connection, let me narrate an anecdote from the life of Rabindranath Tagore.
He established Shantiniketan and would work hard there every day. Once, Mahatma Gandhi was visiting him there; he had gone there to give a public talk. Afterwards, he spent time with Tagore, discussing topics of interest to them both. Following lunch, Gandhi went to take rest when some of the ashram workers, followers of Tagore, approached him.
"Can you help us, Gandhiji? they asked. "What is it?" asked the Mahatma. "We are worried about the health of Rabindranath Tagore," they explained. "He is not keeping good health. The doctors advised him to take rest, but he refuses. After lunch, he immediately goes back to work and does not take a moment's rest. We do not want his health to fail." Gandhi asked, "Why do you want me to tell him to rest?" They replied, "We know he will not go against your advice."
After Gandhi had rested awhile, he went to Tagore's residence and saw that he was deeply immersed in his work. When Tagore looked up and saw Gandhi standing there he asked him, "Are you not comfortable that you have come out from your rest so soon?"
Gandhi replied: "I have come to ask you to take rest after your lunch so your health does not fail. You are not keeping fit these days."
Tagore replied: "How can I do that? I must tell you the truth so that you will understand. When I was 12 I took a vow never to rest at any time during the day for any reason. Up to now I have kept that vow. How many more years do I have to live? Why would I break that vow now?"
Tagore's firm determination and commitment to his promise moved Gandhi. For 67 years Tagore had never rested during the day. Gandhi was impressed by his commitment to his goal and told him, "Now I know the secret of your success!"
If someone who makes a commitment as Tagore had to a worldly goal and achieved great success, imagine what we could do in the spiritual realms. If we could commit to our meditation with the same determination as Tagore did to his writing, we would also be successful. The trouble we face is not that we are not capable of spiritual progress, because that gift is available to each of us, but that we lack commitment and make only half-hearted attempts. But if we were to meditate regularly each day then we would find the progress we seek.
The more we perfect our meditations, the more we come in contact with the source of love within, and the more we love and are loved by others. We will find that the things that upset us before no longer have any sway over us. Peace and harmony will enter our hearts and homes. Our family and social life will become peaceful and blissful.
If we are sincerely interested in knowing more about ourselves, the means to do so are available.
(Discourse: Rajinder Singh Ji)