How To Measure True Success by Dahn Yoga
Today’s world is not exactly conducive to spiritual development. Too many people lead superficial lives and are told they are a success for accomplishing some superficial goal.
This takes the importance of achievement away from the individual and places it in the external world, where the measuring stick for success is far different than what it would likely be for most individuals.
We’re not clear on how to measure true success and often gauge achievement by how much we make or how many people we manage. We look to our peers for affirmations that indicate we have successfully reached one level of attainment. We check that off our list and move on to the next.
These types of goals have more to do with how the outside world perceives us. As a person develops their spiritual side, the views of others becomes much less important. Therefore, placing too great an emphasis on professional and socioeconomic considerations places an individual at risk of remaining empty inside.
A journey toward meaning
The development of the soul requires constant attention. The only way to achieve this is to look inward and understand what is really important to yourself. You may realize during this process that the pursuit of promotions or raises doesn’t really mean as much to you as you previously thought.
There are many other things a person can do to fill their time are more productive than chasing professional recognition in the end. For example, people who begin working toward development of their spiritual side often come to see that they are not as distinct of an individual as they previously thought. Instead, they come to realize that they are part of a continuous whole.
This realization often spurs people to devote their lives to other causes, such as giving back to the community. When you understand that your fellow humans separate parts of the same whole it becomes difficult to avoid taking an interest in their well-being and happiness. It is your own well-being and happiness.
Allowing the external world to co-opt your desires and goals is a sure way to lose sight of this deeper meaning and to fail to develop in a spiritual sense.
Methods of spiritual development
There are many ways to achieve personal enlightenment. I find great value in meditating, but others may get in touch with their spiritual side by practicing yoga or climbing a mountain. The key is to get yourself out of the stream of assignments and deadlines, promotions and raises. You need to spend time thinking about the things that are truly important to you.
This kind of undertaking can be difficult, as it may lead to major changes in the direction of your life. Most people find that the spiritual development that comes from setting one’s own goals is worth whatever sacrifices necessary. In order to truly be happy you must achieve on your own terms.
Author: Dahn Yoga is one of the largest yoga and tai chi companies in the world with its own unique style and brand of yoga. Dahn Yoga is rooted in the rich history of an ancient Asian mind-body practice, Sun Do, and in the wisdom of the Chun Bu Kyung.