In this talk, we delve into a famous African billionaire’s quest for happiness and where he found it. We also examine how acts that reflect or are connected to our inner spiritual nature, allow us to receive a glimpse into our true spiritual self, the eternal spiritual being residing within the material body.
Some of the texts I quoted:
As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the heart, the effects of nature’s modes of passion and ignorance, such as lust, desire and hankering, disappear from the heart. Then a person is established in goodness, and he becomes completely happy. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 1.2.19
Thus the self-controlled yogi, constantly engaged in yoga practice, becomes free from all material contamination and achieves the highest stage of perfect happiness in transcendental loving service to the Lord. Bhagavad-gītā 6.28
Dhruva Maharaja – Because of my state of complete foolishness and paucity of pious activities, although the Lord offered me His personal service, I wanted material name, fame and prosperity. My case is just like that of the poor man who, when he satisfied a great emperor who wanted to give him anything he might ask, out of ignorance asked only a few broken grains of husked rice. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.9.35
I am such a fool that I have given up the service of that person who, being eternally situated within my heart, is actually most dear to me. That most dear one is the Lord of the universe, who is the bestower of real love and happiness and the source of all prosperity. Although He is in my own heart, I have completely neglected Him. Instead I have ignorantly served insignificant men who can never satisfy my real desires and who have simply brought me unhappiness, fear, anxiety, lamentation and illusion. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.8.31
“‘It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words. By his work, thoughts and words, an intelligent man must perform actions which will be beneficial for all living entities in this life and the next.’ Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta – Ādi-līlā 9.42-43
Pure loving (devotional) service to the Lord is so sublime that one can very easily forget the happiness derived from material enjoyment, material liberation and mystic or yogic perfection. Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta – Madhya-līlā 24.39
