If someone were to tell us that somewhere in our backyard, deep in the ground, lay a buried treasure worth millions of dollars, what would we do? Where would we be in our every spare moment? We would probably be out there in our backyard, digging frantically until we found our pot of gold. How could we concentrate on anything else knowing that we were living on top of a gold mine? Yet, this situation is not far from what is actually happening to each of us. We have a buried treasure within us containing riches far more fulfilling than having millions of dollars. We have a way to connect with our Creator waiting to be found within us, yet we go about our lives oblivious to our limitless potential.
The happiness that we think can be attained through outer wealth is illusory. The reason we want money is to buy things, thinking those objects will give us happiness. Yet, look at the wealthy nations of the world. Are its people happy? If they were, why are so many people drowning their sorrows in drugs, alcohol, or destructive pastimes, or lying on the couches of therapists? Some of the people who have everything money can buy, plus fame and power, are often so miserable, even end their lives tragically by overdosing on drugs and alcohol. Apparently, money, fame, and position are not offering people the promised happiness. The satisfaction we seek is available from a source not made of matter. The happiness we seek is within us at the level of our soul. Bliss, unlimited knowledge, power, fearlessness, happiness, and peace are the riches of the soul. If we can dig in the right place, they will all be ours.
Unfortunately, what do most people do? They spend a few minutes here and there, often with gaps of days, weeks, or months, searching the spiritual treasures. Expecting success with such little effort is like expecting to earn a medical degree by going to classes or studying a few minutes every few weeks. Spending only a few minutes occasionally in spiritual pursuit will get us to our goal, but it may take centuries. Time is ticking away every moment. With each motion of the clock’s second hand, our life grows shorter and shorter. Every minute is precious. If we wish to uncover the riches of the soul, we need to make the best use of our time.
To find our soul, we need to spend some time daily in meditation. Some scriptures refer to the concept of tithing 10 per cent. We can tithe one-tenth of our day for our soul. If we look at the lives of people who achieved greatness in any field, we find that they made their goal a priority. Whether in the field of sports, the arts, entertainment, academics, or business, successful people all put in regular time to accomplish their goals. It is the same in the spiritual field. If we do the work, put in regular time, make meditation a part of our lives, we too, can achieve success. The cornucopia of spiritual bounties can pour into us, enriching all aspects of our life.
