Here is a story that could inspire you today…
Once there was a beggar who had no home, no car, not even sufficient food or education. He lived on whatever people could toss his way out of pity. He was tired of this struggle. He dreamed of being really rich, of having many millions one day..he spent a lot of time imagining himself to be rich and wealthy…And so with all the money he made begging, he also bought the lottery once a week to try his luck. And….one day he actually won the jackpot. He could not believe his luck, yes – he was a millionaire! It was all he had dreamed and imagined all the time… coming true finally. He bought a large house with a large car, the best designer clothes, went flying off to trips around the world, spent his days eating five star food and nights in drinking and partying in high profile clubs, living the high life..And then, within a few months he was back to having nothing. Yet he needed more…and more…to keep up his enormous appetite for all kinds of pleasures. He sold his house, went on rent again, until he had no money for even that, finally returning to where he began, homeless and poor, asking for money, benefits, charity…from others.
Once again, he had no house, no car, not even sufficient food or education. He lived on whatever people could toss his way out of pity. He was tired of this struggle. Then, one day, he decided to meditate. He just sat there wherever he was and closed his eyes, breathing, till he felt calm and peaceful, till his thoughts had all gone. Meditation was free, required no conditions at all….it could be done anytime, anyplace, by anyone, in any situation….So he did it. First for a few minutes…then for half an hour a day, then for an hour…Slowly he did it for longer periods of time and more often, almost everyday…. Wow! This was better than any food he had eaten….It was better than sex, better than drugs, better than drinking, gambling…infact this felt better than anything ever. He slowly conquered his hunger, his discomfort, his fears, his insecurities…he slowly conquered his pain and sorrow, his needs and wants…. He was light, free, blissful, peaceful…..and he did not even realize how many days had gone by…he did not even realize how many people had gathered around him. Some of the wealthiest people in the world came by just to be in his presence, just to take his inspiration, to learn and meditate with him. They were ready to offer him all their wealth in return of the secret of his infinite peace. Yet, all he did was meditate, without being distracted. And that is why he was richer than the richest person on earth! He had more to give than anyone ever, and needed nothing….he had everything! Others followed his example and found their own inner peace…slowly, bit by bit, the world began to heal.
Normally people think charity is all about giving money, food and basic necessities to others. We imagine the world’s problems will be solved if money was distributed amongst all those who are poor. But would this really work? Would those who are poor become rich after receiving money? Or would they be poor again after a few days of spending the money up? In contrast, spirituality is something that TRULY makes us rich, really really rich! Because true wealth is not measured by how much money and property you own, or by how much financial charity you give to the world. True wealth is deep within you. Its a fountain of endless treasure that money can never buy. Material charity is at best a temporary relief until the person discovers this fountain of endless wealth within.
You might think that learning to make money, learning to work and earn, to invest wisely, to attract success, to build more and more wealth is an alternate answer to the problem of poverty. Sure it is…Yet, what would happen if the economy crashes, if markets fall, if there is famine, war or any other calamity? And…is learning how to make or attract money sufficient? Will it bring peace and happiness to all? More importantly, why are we here in this existence? Are we merely here in the world to learn how to survive and be materially successful? Perhaps not. We are all here in this world, not just to learn how to be materially successful, but to learn how to find pure inner joy, which is infact our ONLY true and natural state. A person who finds this inner gold, or inner diamond is richer than the richest person in the entire universe!
It could be you!
Hope you enjoyed this story and felt inspired to be on the path that is true.
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Swati Prakash is a spiritual author and can be followed on www.amazon.com/author/swatiprakash
