Bob talks to Deepak

Bob: We’re here today talking to one of the pre-eminent scholars specializing in spiritual awakening. Deepak, how are you today?

Deepak: Bob, I am wonderful. I am basking in the joy of the present, in the knowledge that the power of Now is upon us.

Bob: Yeah, yeah. Deepak, your treatise on golf as a spiritual awakening was a milestone in the annals of literary narratives. Congratulations.

Deepak: Thank you, Bob. I am most proud of that narrative. The metaphor I created of the young, lady golf professional who appeared mysteriously in the woods was a stroke of…

Bob: Focus, Deepak, focus. I just mentioned the golf thing to put you in a good mood so that you can answer some deep metaphysical questions that I have had all of my life.

Deepak: Sure, Bob. For five thousand dollars an hour, I will answer any question, metaphysical or not.

Bob: Okay. Here goes. I have always thought that a person should frame his accomplishments in his own context and not be concerned with the judgments of others.

Deepak: I can see that you are deeply troubled, Bob. Your face is turning red.

Bob: Hey, buddy, don’t worry about my red face, just answer my questions.

Deepak: Whoa, Bob settle down. Let me attempt to give you my slant on your hypothesis. I, like you, believe that the only person one needs to seek approval from is one’s self. When judgment day arrives, one stands alone in the presence of an almighty force. If, in your spiritual state, you feel fulfilled and proud of what you have accomplished in your life, then you have achieved all that is necessary.

Bob: That’s pretty deep. Can you give me an example?

Deepak: Certainly, Bob. Hey, I’m glad to see that you have calmed down. I don’t want you to have a heart attack. We need many more hours for me to support your search for eternal enlightenment. Plus, I need the bucks. So, that said, let me give you an example. Many people have never grasped the idea that a spiritual plane exists beyond the ego. Most people exist at the level of the intellect and are in a constant state of ruminating about past mistakes and worrying about future calamities. One needs to step above that fray and exist at a higher level, in the spiritual plane. Then, one’s spirit can observe the ego but not be consumed by it. Specifically, if one exists at the ego level, one is always seeking approval from others. Peer approval is not necessary at the spiritual level. All one needs to do is to calmly and rationally analyze his or her accomplishments and rate them according to an internal scale. Unfortunately, some people’s internal scale is such that just getting up in the morning is an accomplishment. For others, only the complete deciphering of the human genome will puncture the lower levels of the scale. So, there is still much to contemplate even at the spiritual level.

Bob: Can you give me an example in the sports arena, since I’m more attuned to that.

Deepak: Certainly, Bob. Since you expressed an interest in golf, let me give you a simple example in that venue. If you exist at the ego level, you are concerned that your fellow competitors in your foursome approve of your level of play. At the spiritual level, you should only be concerned about playing the shot you have in front of you to the best of your abilities. If you swing at the utmost level of your ability, your spirit will be joyful. At the ego level, if you swing as best you can but slice it into the woods, you will be disheartened. The outcome is the same in both states of mind, but one’s perception of the meaning of the outcome is completely different.

Bob: I think I get it. So, let’s take a situation at work. What if I work as hard as I can and do the best job I can but never get rewarded? Can I rationalize that with my spiritual side?

Deepak: Bob, no, no…You are not thinking at the spiritual level. You are still controlled by your ego. In your work scenario, the only person one needs to satisfy is one’s self. If you are satisfied, then that is all that matters. Now, that doesn’t mean that you don’t try your hardest to be the best person to ever attempt the job before you. You need to try to be your best at everything every time. That is all one can ask of one’s self. Now, if your peers are not satisfied with your output, your production or your creativity, then you should assess their concerns at the ego level and determine if they have any legitimacy. But, at the spiritual level, you only need to satisfy yourself. On the other side of the coin, remember that undue and unjust rewards are counterproductive to the spirit. One needs to earn his rewards honestly. Only earned rewards soothe the spirit.

Bob: So what if I don’t get the rewards I believe I rightly deserve?

Deepak: That is not a problem at the spiritual level. Don’t let your self be controlled by others or your own ego. Step above the fray and enjoy your accomplishments. However, your accomplishments must be truly earned. I remember a story about a young boy who was surrounded by people who were attempting to artificially enhance his self esteem by rewarding him for less than mediocre achievements. The boy told me that his inflated self esteem felt good until he faced himself in the mirror and knew inherently that he was not achieving at the level he needed to soothe his ego and, more importantly, to enlighten his spirit. He had learned at a very young age that his own spirit must be enlightened by his own worthy deeds, not by the judgments of others.

Bob: Wow, that’s great. I have something now to contemplate. But, hey, Deepak, my spirit has been raised by this conversation, but I’ve got to tell you that I have no more money. I’m tapped out.

Deepak: Goodbye, Bob. Good luck with that enlightenment thing.