We all are at different stages of evolution and one solution does not fit everyone. Everyone has to analyze himself / herself, determine their strengths and weaknesses, remove weaknesses and develop strong, positive tendencies.
What is the ultimate goal in life?
All of us want to be 'Happy' and think that if we had something - money, house, wife /
husband, etc., then we will be 'happy'. But with any one or more of the above solutions comes its own problems or issues. If we are seeking long lasting or permanent happiness, it has to come from within ourselves. External factors do not give this long lasting feeling of
‘happiness’ or ‘contentment’. We need to feel very strongly about this and decide to sacrifice everything for this goal. The ignorance ( avidyā) of this ultimate goal, how to live our lives, become an ‘Noble Citizen of the World’ ( Āryan) and how to reach this ultimate goal does not allow us to make right decisions. Realization of this may occur to us after a major disaster in life, from a Guru, through discussions with friends or acquaintances ( Satsang) or reading books.
The goal is to evolve from our present state of ‘instant gratification’ dependent on pleasures derived from sensory input to a continuous and permanent state of calm mind that can think clearly under all circumstances and work towards bringing peace and prosperity for all through moral and ethical life. This hopefully may lead to release of our soul from the cycle of birth and death ( Moksha).
How can we reach the ultimate goal?
1. Self-analysis
‘Where am I on the path of personal evolution?’ Not everyone is capable of objectively looking at themselves and analyzing the situation. Study of ' Védānt' (scriptures) may help clarify these questions. This study is not easy but worth a try.
Important values described in Chapter 6 are the positive strengths. Self-analysis can start with asking “How many good values do I have?”
3. What are my weaknesses?
Our common faults are - selfish desires, anger, jealousy, greed, habit of acquiring unnecessary objects and trying to hoard them. Remove all these impurities of mind (Chap.
6), change behavior, live a life according to ' Dharma'.
4. How can I remove my shortcomings?
1. Acknowledgement of our deficiencies is the first step.
2. Daily evaluation of our thoughts, speech and actions by asking “Were they according to the highest moral and ethical standards”.
3. Give up personal likes & dislikes for people, actions and objects.
इि य येि य याथ राग वेषौ यवि थतौ ।
तयोन वशमाग छे ौ य य प रपि थनौ ॥ ३ : ३४ ॥
Likes and dislikes (for people, actions and objects)
reside in your sense organs (and the mind)
They are your enemies and do not let them control you.
Bhagawad Gitā, III.34
4. How to improve next time?