Soul Improvement

Sriram Srinivasan
Jul 21, 2017 · 3 min read

We all read many self-help books, talk a lot about self-improvement, follow leaders in this space and agree that we need to improve a lot and this is an ongoing exercise. All these are fine, but where we miss the point is, we attach self-improvement to be part of only this life, that too with an age cap.

We think we need to continuously improve to succeed in our career, in our business, or as a husband, father, brother. We force ourselves into a small circle and to be on top of that circle we need to improve.

This is a mindset that needs to be changed.

First, we need to understand that self-improvement is a journey and not targeted towards any specific life goals. What we achieve in this life, is the side benefit, not the main benefit. You improve as a person and because of that you gain some benefit is like in the journey you have undertaken, there is an oasis where you can take rest, taste fruits available there, drink that sweet water and relax.

This is temporary. You can’t think that oasis is your permanent dwelling.

You need to move on there is a long road ahead for you to travel, that does not end with our death.

“Wait. You mean to say self-improvement goes beyond our life time?”

Yes, and let me explain this in detail.

We as humans have taken so many births before this one. We have learned lots of lessons along the way so that GOD has given this birth to pay back our dues and learn from where we left off.

Lessons you learned from this birth, will propel you a bit forward and you will get another chance to learn more. Like this, this journey goes on and on till we have learned everything we are supposed to learn.

To understand this point, you need to first accept this universal truth, that, you are the soul, not this body. So, whatever you do to improve yourself, you are trying to improve your soul. To do this, whatever activities you do like exercises, eating properly etc., are support services that help you in this journey of soul improvement.

Each soul from its origination travels this journey alone until it realizes who it is and dissolves with its creator, which is called “Mukti” in Hindu dharma.

Attaining salvation is the goal for every soul. We get a chance to come to this earth to learn more, mature our soul and move forward towards this final goal.

That’s why I call this as soul improvement.

Your every drop of effort to become a better person, in turn, helps your soul to move a bit forward towards its salvation.

Hindu saints and sages tell the most difficult thing for a soul is to follow the cycle of birth and death.

Salvation or Mukti frees us from this birth, death cycle and keeps us in a permanent blissful state.

This goal every soul will attain one day, and, every minute we work hard to improve ourselves, in turn, helps our soul to go a bit forward to be cut off from this birth death cycle.

Next time, when you read a self-help book, listen to a motivational talk, or watch a video that teaches some wisdom, realize that you are working to improve your soul and this realization itself will help you to stay on the right path.

All the best fellow traveler.

The Ascent

A community of storytellers documenting the journey to happiness & fulfillment.

)
Sriram Srinivasan

Written by

Developer (JavaScript Stack), Blogger — Tech and Business

The Ascent

A community of storytellers documenting the journey to happiness & fulfillment.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade