We all wish to be prosperous. Complete prosperity encompasses not just material success but also physical well-being, peace of mind, and a state of happiness.
It is now increasingly recognised that the pursuit of material wealth alone does not bring lasting happiness. Many people quit the rat race in order to lead simpler, more contented lives. This happens because in chasing riches many compromise their health, relationships and mental and spiritual well-being. If one measures success only in monetary terms, one would try to get rich at the expense of everything else. Someone single-mindedly devoted to making money as quickly as possible may not hesitate to ride roughshod over others to achieve his goals. When faced with a moral choice, he might even stifle his conscience if in doing so, he stood to gain substantial wealth.
Once someone gets accustomed to doing this, they stop feeling any qualms about it. It is a slippery slope that can lead to insensitivity, selfishness and even crime. One may become very wealthy this way but lose the love and respect of others.
Many people compromise their health as they work relentlessly to make money. They get rich but suffer from diseases resulting from their unhealthy lifestyles. Some become victims of depression, anxiety disorders or other mental ailments. In short, they ruin their health to earn money and then spend that money to regain their health.
Prosperity, in its fullest sense, encompasses health, wealth and happiness. Such prosperity comes from purity, which is the foundation of peace. Purity here means freedom from corruption of any kind, including moral and financial.
It is no coincidence that most countries with high levels of corruption rank low in economic development. This is despite the fact that some of these countries are rich in natural resources.
At the individual level, purity means having pure intentions and being honest and truthful. In a society that upholds these values, there is less likelihood of people cheating others or companies committing fraud. This fosters mutual trust and strengthens social bonds that act as a deterrent against behaviour that harms the interests of the community.
Purity in thought and action contributes to our physical well-being. It is now recognised that the majority of physical ailments are psychosomatic, and their roots lie in negative thoughts and emotions. Purity of the mind naturally predisposes one to a healthy and balanced lifestyle and a positive attitude.
Positivity enables us to learn from and appreciate others, inculcate virtues, overcome setbacks and remain happy in challenging situations. All this enriches our life, bringing a gratifying feeling of progress and fulfillment.
A positive attitude also translates into better productivity and relationships, which bring success at work.
These qualities constitute a person’s inner wealth. They enrich our lives and the more we use them, the more they develop. It is a wealth that cannot be stolen or taxed. It does not get lost or diminish with age unless one neglects it.
Prosperity, thus, is a state of affairs in which the individual and society live in peace and concord for mutual benefit. It cannot be enjoyed by hoarding resources at the expense of others and living in gilded ivory towers.
B.K. Usha is a Rajyoga teacher at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Abu Road, Rajasthan.
Positivity enables us to learn from and appreciate others, inculcate virtues, overcome setbacks and remain happy in challenging situations.