“I regard success as sort of the totality, how we are in life, how we are in our business, how we are in a meditation practice. Is it all successful?”

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche is the head of the Shambhala Buddhist lineage and the global network of Shambhala Meditation Centers…he spends much of his time lecturing and supporting the Buddhist teachings. 

He makes such a good point here; people (myself included) often equate success in monetary terms, and yet…is that what really fulfills us? 

I don’t think so. Holding onto the idea that money is somehow the height of humanity is wholly false…and based around a concept that money provides security. I mean, don’t get me wrong, money is important for survival- but after that, it starts to wear down true happiness.

What do you think? Does his take on success resonate with you?

Via The Yoga Blog

Underlying discontent and unhappiness are often experienced when you’re not living in alignment with your priorities or God’s design for your life. For example, if you value spirituality and inner peace, but spend five minutes a day meditating and two hours watching TV, then you are not in alignment. Or if your relationship with your husband ranks in your top three but the time and effort you spend on him are substantially lower, then something needs to change. You might need to make sacrifices and rearrange a few things in your life to create more time for the things that really bring you deep satisfaction and joy.

Take a moment to think about what the following items mean to you and rank them in order of importance. Then, evaluate your reality and how you actually spend your time:

Career climbing
Time with children
Clean and orderly house
Exercising
Financial security
Relationship with spouse
Relationships with friends
Relationships with family
Spirituality/inner peace/meditation
Creative endeavors
Eating healthy
Watching TV

Do you spend your time in alignment with your priorities and your life’s purpose? See how you can create and arrange your life so that you are spending your time and energy where you genuinely want to.

Some people believe that life is drudgery, and they just try to “get through” each day. These people aren’t putting their energy into what truly matters to them. We are here to live and experience feeling, meaning, and joy to the fullest. If your life is not bringing you that joy, then see that as an indicator that something is off. Slight shifts in your daily behavior and how you spend your time can be positively life altering.