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We live in an achievement-oriented world. That also has been one of the biggest mistakes the mankind is making, measuring somebody’s worth based on how much money or possessions they have. A spiritual student (sadhak) knows that the possessions are to serve us, not to define us. A sadhak creates a learning-oriented world.

If you search for the word “investment” on Google, all the references are around the return of the money. Whereas our mentor teaches us that True Investment is beyond just the financial success. Money is a tool to acquire things, it is not the goal itself. The goal is to live a more meaningful life that has a higher purpose.

So, what is a meaningful life and what is this higher purpose.

A meaningful life is one that inspires through service, love, kindness, generosity, and knowledge. Leading a life for others and have the strength of character to put the zeal to serve over your own interest is the higher purpose.

Our mentor says, “When we help others, God helps us”.

True Investment is when we create an environment of service and selfless love. Our mentor lays out simple 6 things we can do to invest service and get happiness, meaning, purpose and spiritual growth in return.

1. CONTENTMENT –

Being wealthy doesn’t mean how much money we have; it means how content we are with what we have. Even materialistically, The most important financial skill is to define how much is enough. This doesn’t mean that we don’t work hard, it means that the purpose of our work is not selfish. Money is an outcome, it’s not the purpose. Even the corporate world that is blamed to be money minded is realizing that. Look at the vision statement from some of the largest companies in the world. Not one of them states, “our value is to make more money”, because the true leaders realize that money is not the end-result.

Microsoft

Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

Google

to provide access to the world’s information in one click.

Amazon

Our vision is to be earth’s most customer-centric company.

Reliance Industries

To achieve excellence in service, quality, reliability, safety, and customer care.

Tata Group

Integrity, Responsibility, Excellence, Pioneering, Unity.

2. GENEROSITY –

Our mentor suggests that we should introduce generosity in our lives. Let’s understand it with an example. There are two ways to think about the work we do, whether it’s a business or a job –

1. We work so we can earn and feed our families.
2. We serve the world through our work.

The second way of thinking will instantly give us a sense of fulfillment. So, we invested a thought process, and we got fulfillment in return. This feeling of fulfillment can’t be bought. Therefore, the investment needs to be viewed holistically and not just financially.

Our Mentor teaches us to increase the act of service, act of giving in our lives. There are different ways of giving, we can mentally offer peace and harmony to the world (हे नाथ! सबका भला हो!), we can support someone financially, we can be generous with the people who help us daily eg. delivery executives, housekeeping staff, maintenance staff etc.

3. MEDITATION –

Our mind is a non-stop machine that is wired to process thoughts continuously, that’s its nature. Take some time to observe this continuous process called mind. Meditation is being in the moment in a choiceless awareness state. This exercise of disconnecting from the world makes us view the world as an observer and not as a participant, and the difference in this perspective alone brings about a significant change in our lives. It’s a journey from fixating on the material possessions to bringing contextual fulfillment to our lives.

4. READING –

Our mentor says, “It’s not important how well-read you are, it’s important that you keep reading.” One of the most important skills required in this world, is the ability to continuously learn. Many authors and intellectuals have suggested that reading is an investment.

Harry Truman, the 33^rd president of the United States says, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are reader”

The process of continuously reading automatically progresses the learning within us. It doesn’t matter how much we read every day, what matters is that we do read every day. The act of taking some time aside for our learning is an investment which guarantees that we make our decision with wisdom, most importantly the spiritual wisdom.

5. BE IN THE MOMENT –

Our mentor says, “When you are in the present moment, you are most creative, you can’t do anything in the past, but you can do a lot in the future”

Thoughts of past and future are bad investments because they cause us to complain, blame, and find excuses. Most people are either angry about the past or anxious about the future. Attaining spiritual awareness from a mentor helps live life in the present moment. The great thing about the present moment is that it has all the potential. Positive self-talk in the present moment is one of the most powerful tools to have a positive future. Say this every day,

• “I am healthy, wealthy, and wise”,
• “I am safe in God’s world”,
• “I love and accept the way I am”,
• “With the help of God, I am rising”.

6. FORGIVENESS –

Another wonderful investment we can make is letting go of the old hurtful memories. The important thing for our personal growth is to keep moving on. Be quick to forgive because our purpose is to grow not to hold grudges. The experience of hurt is usually in the past; it is only a thought now which means it only has the amount of power that we give it. Holding onto this hurt breed anger, resentment, and hatred, these are bad investments into the best gift the God has given us, the present moment.

The purpose of any investment is to be future-ready – The interesting thing is that we can never predict how much money is going to be needed in the future and hence focussing only on money isn’t the right way of investing. The true investment is to focus on ourselves and incrementally introduce the spiritual values taught by the mentor in our lives. Consistency in any investment is the key to success. Our mentor has suggested the above six ways to practice true investment, practice them with consistency and observe the turnaround.