Swami Mukundananda - 99% Successful People Use This 1 STEP To Achieve Big Goal In Life

Summary

The video script emphasizes the importance of incremental progress towards one's goals rather than seeking immediate perfection. It narrates the story of Chandragupta's kingdom restoration, illustrating the wisdom in taking one step at a time. The script also uses the metaphor of a grandfather clock to convey the message of focusing on the present moment and not being overwhelmed by the entirety of a task. It encourages individuals to align their actions with their nature and gradually progress towards detachment and perfect renunciation through karma yoga, as exemplified by the teachings of Sri Krishna and Ramakrishna Paramahams.

Takeaways

• 🔑 The importance of distinguishing between a goal and the process to achieve it: People often set goals but fail to understand the incremental steps needed to reach them.
• 🏆 The story of Chandragupta: It illustrates the wisdom of incremental progress, showing that taking small steps can lead to eventual success.
• 👣 The power of taking the next step: Instead of being overwhelmed by the big picture, focus on the immediate next action to make progress.
• 🕯️ The analogy of the lamp: Just as a lamp illuminates a small distance at a time, one should take life step by step, not waiting to see the entire path before moving forward.
• ⏳ The grandfather clock lesson: Even a daunting task, like the clock's million ticks, becomes manageable when broken down into single actions.
• 🧘‍♂️ The concept of Karma Yoga: Engage in actions according to one's nature and abilities, directing the mind towards a higher purpose.
• 🌿 Understanding one's Gunas (qualities): Recognize and work within one's inherent tendencies and strengths to achieve spiritual progress.
• 🏡 The practicality of staying where you are: Ramakrishna Paramahamsa advised a woman to practice her spiritual discipline in her current environment rather than moving to a different place.
• 🍎 The natural progression to detachment: As one's spiritual practice matures, detachment from worldly matters will come naturally, like a ripe fruit falling from a tree.
• 🌟 The ultimate goal of perfect renunciation: The script emphasizes that the end goal is to achieve a state of detachment and surrender to a higher power, which comes gradually through consistent effort.
• 🌱 The encouragement to start now: The script encourages listeners to begin their journey of self-improvement and spiritual growth by focusing on the next step rather than feeling overwhelmed by the end goal.

Q & A

Why do people often get disappointed when they try to change themselves quickly?

People get disappointed because they set a goal without understanding the process required to reach it. They expect immediate transformation, which is unrealistic, leading to frustration when they fail to meet their expectations.

What is the story of Chandragupta mentioned in the script, and what is the moral of the story?

The story of Chandragupta is about a king who lost his kingdom and was advised by a villager to tackle his problems incrementally, starting with small steps. The moral is that success comes from taking one step at a time rather than trying to solve everything at once.

What is the significance of the khichdi story in the script?

The khichdi story illustrates the importance of starting with the manageable part of a problem. It teaches that one should approach challenges gradually and not be overwhelmed by the entirety of the task at hand.

What does the script suggest about the concept of incremental progress?

The script suggests that incremental progress is a powerful approach to achieving goals. It emphasizes the wisdom of taking small, manageable steps that lead to eventual success.

How does the script relate the story of the disciple and the guruji with the concept of incremental progress?

The story of the disciple and the guruji demonstrates that by focusing on the immediate next step, one can navigate through darkness or challenges. It reinforces the idea that progress is made by taking one step at a time, with each step revealing the path for the next.

What is the analogy of the person waiting for all traffic lights to turn green before starting their journey?

This analogy highlights the futility of waiting for all conditions to be perfect before taking action. It encourages taking the first step without waiting for all uncertainties to be resolved.

What does the grandfather clock story in the script signify?

The story of the grandfather clock signifies that even a daunting task can be made manageable by breaking it down into smaller, repetitive actions. It encourages focusing on the present action rather than being overwhelmed by the totality of the task.

What is the script's advice for people who find their current path difficult or suffocating?

The script advises people to work according to their natural inclinations or 'gunas'. It suggests that one should perform their duties while keeping their mind focused on a higher purpose, which can lead to gradual detachment and fulfillment.

How does the script relate the concept of karma yoga to the path of spiritual progress?

The script relates karma yoga as a means to spiritual progress by suggesting that one should perform their duties in life while directing their mind towards the divine. This approach allows for spiritual growth while fulfilling one's worldly responsibilities.

What is the message conveyed by the story of the woman who wished to live in Vrindavan?

The story conveys the message that physical relocation to a spiritual place is not as important as the state of one's mind. It suggests that true spiritual progress is about internal transformation, which can be achieved regardless of one's physical location.

What is the ultimate goal according to the script, and how can it be achieved?

The ultimate goal according to the script is perfect renunciation or detachment from worldly desires. It can be achieved by performing one's duties (karma yoga) while keeping the mind focused on spiritual matters, allowing for gradual detachment and eventual spiritual enlightenment.

Outlines

00:00

🚶 Incremental Progress: The Power of Taking One Step at a Time

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of incremental progress over the desire for immediate transformation. It discusses how people often misunderstand the journey towards self-improvement, expecting to become perfect overnight. The story of Chandragupta illustrates the wisdom of taking small steps towards a larger goal. The narrative uses the analogy of eating khichdi to explain how one should approach challenges incrementally. The guru and disciple story in the Himalayas further reinforces this concept, suggesting that focusing on the next step, rather than the entire journey, is the key to progress. The story of the clockmaker and his clock concludes the paragraph, underlining the idea that even daunting tasks can be accomplished one step at a time.

05:00

🧘‍♂️ Karma Yoga: Aligning Actions with Nature for Spiritual Growth

The second paragraph delves into the concept of karma yoga, which is the practice of performing one's duties in alignment with one's nature as a means to spiritual growth. It addresses the common misconception of renunciation, suggesting that forcing oneself into a role that contradicts their inherent qualities can be stifling. The teachings of Shri Krishna are cited, advocating for individuals to work according to their natural tendencies, such as Arjuna being a warrior, and to direct their minds towards the divine. The anecdote about a woman's desire to live in Vrindavan highlights the importance of mental detachment over physical relocation. The paragraph concludes with the idea that as one's spiritual practice matures, detachment from worldly illusions will naturally follow, leading to the state of perfect renunciation.

Keywords

💡Goal

A goal is a desired outcome or target that one aims to achieve. In the video's context, it refers to the ultimate objective of becoming a better person, free from bad habits and negative thoughts. The script emphasizes that people often mistake the process of achieving a goal for the goal itself, leading to disappointment when immediate results are not seen. The story of Chandragupta illustrates the importance of incremental progress towards a goal, rather than trying to achieve it all at once.

💡Process

The process refers to the series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end. The video script highlights the distinction between the process and the goal, cautioning against the common mistake of conflating the two. It suggests that focusing on the process, one step at a time, is a more effective and less overwhelming approach to achieving one's goals.

💡Incremental Progress

Incremental progress is the idea of making small, gradual advancements towards a larger goal. The script uses this concept to convey the message that significant achievements are built upon a series of smaller steps. The story of Chandragupta's kingdom recovery and the grandfather clock's tick-tock serve as examples of how success is achieved through consistent, small efforts over time.

💡Disappointment

Disappointment is the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by unmet expectations. In the script, it is mentioned as a common reaction when people fail to achieve their goals immediately, not realizing that progress is often incremental. The video encourages viewers to avoid disappointment by focusing on the next step rather than the end result.

💡Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga is a spiritual discipline in which one performs their duties without attachment to the results. The video script explains that the means to reach the goal of perfect renunciation is through karma yoga, which involves doing one's work with dedication and offering the results to a higher power, thus detaching oneself from the outcomes.

💡Gunas

Gunas are the qualities or tendencies that influence one's character and behavior in Hindu philosophy. The script mentions gunas to explain that everyone has a natural inclination or nature, and it is important to work in accordance with one's gunas rather than against them for spiritual growth and contentment.

💡Renunciation

Renunciation, in the context of the video, refers to the state of giving up attachment to material possessions and desires, seeking a higher spiritual purpose. It is presented as the ultimate goal, but the script advises that this state is reached gradually through karma yoga and not by force or artificial means.

💡Sadhana

Sadhana is the practice of spiritual disciplines aimed at self-improvement and spiritual growth. The script uses the term to describe the gradual practice of karma yoga, which, over time, leads to detachment from materialism and the attainment of the state of perfect renunciation.

💡Maya

Maya, in Hindu philosophy, is the illusion or the transient world of appearances that distracts one from the ultimate reality. The video script suggests that through sadhana and karma yoga, one can eventually become detached from maya, leading to a state of perfect renunciation.

💡Chandragupta

Chandragupta Maurya is an historical figure and the founder of the Maurya Empire in India. In the script, his story is used as a metaphor to illustrate the importance of taking incremental steps towards a goal. After losing his kingdom, Chandragupta learns from a villager's advice on eating khichdi to approach the recovery of his kingdom gradually, which he eventually does.

💡Babaji

In the script, 'Babaji' refers to a spiritual teacher or guru living in the Himalayas. The story of the disciple being asked to fetch Babaji with a lamp that only illuminates 10 yards ahead is used to convey the message of focusing on the next step in one's journey, rather than being overwhelmed by the distance that remains.

Highlights

The common confusion between the goal and the process in personal development.

The importance of incremental progress and the story of Chandragupta to illustrate the point.

The wisdom of taking one step at a time to achieve long-term goals.

The story of a villager and Chandragupta's realization about incremental progress.

The power of focusing on the next step rather than the entire journey.

The story of a guruji and his disciple about the limitations of a flashlight and the metaphor of progress.

The analogy of waiting for all traffic lights to turn green before starting a journey.

The story of a clockmaker and the grandfather clock to demonstrate the concept of taking one step at a time.

The idea that one should not attack the whole problem but focus on the next step.

The concept of karma yoga as a means to reach the goal of perfect renunciation.

The importance of working according to one's nature and gunas as suggested by Sri Krishna.

The story of a woman wanting to live in Vrindavan and Ram Krishna Paramahamsa's advice.

The idea that detachment from maya and reaching the state of perfect renunciation comes naturally with sadhana.

The practical application of these teachings in daily life and personal growth.

The value of incremental progress in achieving long-term success and transformation.

The applause and music signifying the end of the discourse and the impact of the teachings.

Transcripts

many times people confuse the goal and

the process

many people they hear oh soodas was like

this

tulsidas was like this

let me become like this from tomorrow

tomorrow i should have no bad habits

tomorrow i should have no evil thoughts

tomorrow i should be a saint

and then they try

and they don't become

then they get disappointed

oh too difficult i can't do it

but the problem is

that this was the goal

and to reach there you had to take the

next step

it is by single step that the journey

starts

there is the story of chandragupta

you know when chandragupt's kingdom was

snatched away

[Music]

so he was running here and there

and he reached heart of a villager

she did not know the lady that he is our

king

so she offered khichdi

now the khichdi was hot

and when she put it he put his hand and

got burnt

[Music]

she said you are as stupid as our king

you should have eaten the khichdi from

the edge

it would have been of edible temperature

now you are attacking the whole kitchen

together

similarly you are trying to grab the

entire kingdom back and he is

unsuccessful

instead

he should take a little little bit at a

time and he will succeed

and that clicked in chandragupta's head

and he succeeded in getting his kingdom

back

[Music]

so there is

great wisdom

in the power of incremental progress

[Music]

you think

how can i take the next step

so many people come

swamiji this is so difficult i can never

do it

say forget about that you can take the

next step right you think about that

by taking this one one step

you will progress

one guruji

he was in his ashram

in

the himalayas

and he told his disciple you know there

is this baba who lives there you go and

bring him with you

disciple said guruji how will i go in

the dark

guruji gave him the land turned here

so he said guruji this is throwing light

only 10 yards away

and that babaji whom you are asking me

to call

his hut is one mile away

how can i use this to go one mile

[Music]

guruji said beta it is throwing light 10

yards away right so you can go 10 yards

and when you go 10 yards away it will

show another 10 yards light

then you go that much it will show

another 10 yards and you will keep

walking now if you wait until you can

see the entire mile you will keep

waiting

this is like the person who waited

for all the traffic lights to turn green

before he would start from his house

forget about all the traffic lights

turning green you think about how you

take the next step

one clock maker

he made a grandfather clock

[Music]

and when he was about to put it in

motion he heard a sigh

he said who was that

the clock started speaking

the clock said i was just thinking of

the hundred million times i'll have to

tick tock tick tock tick tock

and i was getting discouraged that's why

i don't know

the clockmaker said don't worry

you can just do it one tick tock at a

time

so he put it into action just do one

tick tock at a time and it started off

and it has been doing tick tock tick

tock since then till today

so similarly you don't have to attack

the whole problem together

you only have to attack

the next step

how

do i take

the next step

[Music]

your goal is perfect renunciation

but the means for reaching there

is karma yoga

everybody has their gunas their moods

somebody by nature is a teacher

somebody by nature is a worker

somebody by nature is a business person

[Music]

now you say okay you don't work

according to your nature you go and live

in the ashram

that person will feel suffocated

after living for 10 days he'll do an

about turn

and instead shri krishna gives a more

practicable solution

he says keep working in accordance with

your modes arjun you are a warrior that

is your nature now if you artificially

become a sannyasi you will feel

suffocated

instead you be a warrior

and take your mind to god

one woman went to ram krishna

paramahants

she said i wish to go and live in

vrindavan

ram krishna paraman said that is all

very well

but your mind is attached to your child

who is living in kolkata

you will live in vrindavan

and you will do chintan

of your child

so you will mentally not be in virnda

when you will be in kolkata

instead of that you live in kolkata and

take your mind there

and that is what shri krishna is saying

be a karma do your karma but take your

mind there

and slowly slowly slowly as your sadhana

fructifies

then like the ripened fruit falls off

from the tree

you will become detached from maya

and you will become

automatically reach the state of perfect

renunciation

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Music]

you