Success and Defeat

You have the right to work but never to the fruit of work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, nor should you long for inaction. Perform work in this world, Arjuna, as a man established within himself -without selfish attachments, and alike in success and defeat. For yoga is perfect evenness of mind.

Lord Krishna, Bhagavad Gita

This section of the Bhagavad Gita is really hard to understand for the Western mind and even for us spiritual path travelers. Why shouldn't it be, the spiritual traveler asks, that we deserve peace, success and happiness all the time? If we are the creators, why shouldn't it be our right to have successful creations all the time? Unfortunately the Gita pours cold water over this concept. It claims that even if you are on a righteous path, expect to see defeats along the way.

 The way out, of course, is not to expect anything. You choose your field of employment, work on your creation, but let the implementation - and all the rewards attached with it - up to the Tao. I know this is a tough sell, but what choice do you have in the end if you can't control the outcome anyway. The spiritual reason behind this concept is that the Tao happens to be a little smarter than you. Who knows, perhaps your lost battle happens to be a blessing in disguise? Perhaps the defeat allows you to let go of yet one more personality layer in the process?


Always put your best foot forward in whatever you do. The reward you have is merging with the Tao moment by moment. Success or failure, it is always possible for you to stay connected with the 'beyond'. And as far as your material needs are concerned, don't worry, chances are that a few crumbs will always come your way as well