How Do You Define Success?

Q: How do you define success?

A: I do not define success. 

Q: What do you mean you do not define success? 

A: I mean that I do not define success. Definitions lead to intellectualization. 

Q: If you do not define success, how can you possibly hope to achieve it?

A: Why do you want to achieve success if you do not know what it is? 

(A long silence)

Q:  I don’t know what to say. No one has ever asked me such a question. 

A: That is because intellectualization keeps one going in circles. 

Q:  To be honest, I don’t really know why I want success. I suppose it’s because that’s what everyone wants. 

A: You want success because you feel it is an obligation to be fulfilled. You ask for a definition in order to learn about your perceived obligation, so that you might know when it has been fulfilled. 

Q: Yes, I do. Is this not the way? 

A: It depends on what you are seeking. In truth, there is no obligation to speak of. 

Q: Then why do so many people feel that there is?

A: Does it matter? Is it not more prudent to deal first with your own illusions before considering the illusions of another?

Q: You’re right. Why do I feel obligated to be successful?

A: Because you seek happiness. 

Q: I don’t understand.

A: In your quest to become happy, you have set up targets. Once these targets have been hit, you will allow yourself to be happy, because you will feel that you have earned it. But it will be short lived.

Q: You mean that even the happiness that comes from success does not last?

A: Yes. Happiness always comes with a shelf life when it is dictated by one’s circumstances. Soon after you have achieved your success, your mind will tell you that it is not enough. That you must keep striving. Because you seek to satisfy its demands, you will do as it says. 

Q: Is there a way out? 

A: The way out lies in not seeking a way out. It is precisely because you seek a way out that you are not content with things as they are. 

Q: I really do want to be content. I hate how I can never allow anything to be as it is. My desire to fix everything has caused so many problems. 

A: If you truly want to be content, you must accept even your lack of content. To be at peace in all circumstances demands that you drop all conditions, including the condition that you be at peace. 

Q: Thank you.