• In :
• Personal Growth

July 2008

By Swami Veda Bharati

It is natural to aspire to social standing and fame. but why do we want them? our motivation will determine our destiny
 

Most of us aspire to social standing, name and fame. Consequently there is fear of social failure.

Here, let us ask ourselves some questions: What has given others a high social standing?
&bull What is our motivation in seeking it?
&bull What are we afraid of if we were to lose our name and fame?
&bull How do we regain it?
&bull What do we mean to do with the powers that a higher social standing confers upon us?

There are those who do not go out seeking name and fame but are highly regarded and even become famous.Then there are those who struggle to gain recognition and do not receive it.There is a simple principle of life here.When we struggle in the mind towards any purpose, the tensions weaken our mind’s energy and productivity.
Abandon the struggle, and get creative, without seeking the fruit. Only then will the fruit come on its own. That is how it came to those who did not struggle to gain it. If our motivation in achieving social standing is only to gain power over others, we shall commit some subtle or gross forms of violence. What is obtained violently will be taken from us violently. This violence may not be a visible one; it can simply be attitudinal. Examine where in our attitudes this violence lurks.

The best way to gain name and fame is (1) to be creative, and the recognition for that creativity will come naturally if (2) you make yourself loveable. Some formulas for making oneself loveable have been given in our previous articles. You should pray to become such that no matter who, even one who opposes your views, comes across you, he or she cannot help but love you. This quality in you comes simply by giving selfless love. The thought should not be: let me love these people so that they would love me and I will become famous! If you have helped a blind man cross the street without being asked, you have made yourself loveable. If you have given some loving service to the mother of someone who is opposing you – and done so not quietly hoping for such a reward – then the person may still oppose your view but will love you, in due time. You have written a book, which you think has valuable insights. You take it to a publisher. Is your BP rising? Is your heart pounding? Then you have a doubt about yourself which you are projecting as you are half expecting a rejection. Your demeanour, mudra, will subliminally convey that doubt to the publisher. Without knowing why, he or she will doubt your work.

If the person feels an aura of quiet self-confidence about you and feels loved, you stand a good chance that the publisher will not reject you outright. He or she may advise you to make necessary changes in your work and help you, not as publisher but as a best friend, and you have opened the gateway to fame.In seeking the publication of your book, are you doing it to be famous? Or, is your motivation – the world is suffering, I am moved by that suffering deeply, I have a formula here that can be helpful, I would like to help the world with these suggestions? Did Muhammad Yunus start the movement of Grameen Bank with the motivation to become famous? If that had been his goal, he would never have achieved the results he did for the uplift of millions, nor would he have received the Nobel Prize. Do we seek to become members of Parliament so that we may propose true solutions for the problems of the people, or do we wish to become MPs so we have earthly gains from the power to benefit from those who need help through the juggernaut of bureaucracy? On the other hand, did Swami Vivekananda address the Parliament of Religions (Chicago 1893) so that he would become famous? Did Gandhi have fear of losing his social standing? Did he lead the path of collective non-violence so that the United Nations would lower its flag upon his death?How did they become famous?

Such ones have no fear of the loss of their name and fame. They achieved what they achieved through the help of only one friend, oneself, and that brought them a million friends. Theirs were the minds the gods used as playgrounds.

We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at editor@lifepositive.net