Siddarth Shukla

For over a decade, I have immersed myself in the practice of meditation, and through this journey, I have come to a profound realization: true joy and happiness cannot be found in external pursuits. Instead, joy is our inherent nature. When we sit quietly and allow our minds to exhaust their thoughts, we can experience immense joy within ourselves. This joy is not exclusive to meditators; it lies within everyone and can be accessed through various activities that fully engage us in the present moment, such as skating, dancing, singing, or writing.

Many seek out spiritual gurus to learn meditation techniques in the quest for joy. While this adventure of meeting a guru and learning meditation can be enriching, it often serves as a distraction from the real task at hand: understanding our own nature. Each person is unique, and our paths to joy will differ accordingly. The key is to convert our desires into precise goals, break these goals into actionable tasks suited to our nature, and observe if we experience joy while performing these tasks. If not, we must iterate and adjust until we do. Achieving our goals ends the suffering associated with unfulfilled desires and dispels any illusions we may have about the process.

This personalized approach to goal-setting and task completion fosters autonomy and prevents us from becoming enslaved to an authority figure. Pursuing a goal humbles us and brings us closer to reality, teaching us how the world truly works. It requires us to cut out distractions and hone our focus. Focus is not merely about concentrating on a task but also about actively removing distractions and saying no to other things. Only through focused effort can we discover real joy or happiness. This joy sustains consistency in our endeavors.

However, it is important to distinguish between different sources of motivation. Some people pursue goals driven by the need to prove their self-worth or to validate themselves to others. This energy, drawn from the dark side, is ultimately draining and unfulfilling. Achieving a goal through such motivations often leads us to miss the truth and the deeper lessons to be learned. When we act from fear, our scope of action is limited. Conversely, when our minds are freed from fear, we can see numerous ways to achieve our goals that align with our true nature.

Consistent meditation not only helps us find inner joy but also cultivates positive qualities in us. Over time, we develop politeness in our voice, beauty in our demeanor, grace in our behavior, compassion in our hearts, and integrity in our nature. These qualities blossom naturally as we continue to meditate regularly.

In conclusion, the pursuit of external achievements will not bring true joy. Instead, by understanding our own nature and engaging in activities that anchor us in the present moment, we can experience the joy that is our true essence. Meditation is one of many techniques to access this inner joy, which is available to everyone. Through focused effort and self-discovery, we can live a life filled with true happiness, free from the distractions and fears that often cloud our path.