Success

SAT., MAR. 13, 1982, 5:26 AM
FARM, STUDY

Your son, John Patrick, did seem eager for a teaching on this subject. I do not respond to all requests (and that shall continue to be the procedure with Us), but he has been an avid student of these meditations… and he is interested in success, so why should he not know what My observations are?

Success is both absolute and relative. Success is both long term and short. Success is both sweet and bitter. And, of course, there are infinite gradations between the extremes. Success can be felt and perceived by an individual in relation to self and/or by others… concerning the individual.

Success is achieving what you set out to achieve… and… success is achieving some result that is quite worthwhile, even though its achievement was not intended. But let’s be certain, too, about ultimate success, which is the intent and the accomplishment of service to and for Me. Such service may also be judged successful by these other criteria, but true success is dedication to and accomplishment for Me and My Kingdom. That also means, of course, that the secret intent was not to benefit self. This is a very “tricky” matter, for it is no sin to love yourself… and I did “command” that you should love others as you love yourself. It is difficult to explain to one who is not closer to true enlightenment, but I shall try it in this way.

Concern for self is akin to freedom and independence. These are all desirable, worthy conditions of being. But as you move along you come to see that independence should give way to dependence on Me and interdependence with others… that freedom is achieved most fully when it is not sought or “fought for”, but in giving yourself to Me. And, finally, self is served and abetted most fully when your intent is on Me and on others.

Success, then, is measured ultimately by this reality. That is the important first perspective. Now We can go back to some of the other dimensions that I listed early.

Absolute success comes only in small, short term, limited tasks. Last evening Rivanna wanted the little green clock started so that the alarm would ring. You wound the clock and shook it, moved the alarm hand around, and Zounds! you were absolutely successful in what you attempted. Because you did it for her and not for yourself it had a greater success quality. But your motivations were not towards Me, and thus it lacked ultimate success.

Another example. You wanted to warm this room up a bit, as you followed My suggestion in returning to this Study for these meditations. You succeeded, with the kerosene stove, and the air was warmed. But then it became too warm, and your success faded. You turned the stove off, and success increased momentarily, but the cooling continued, so your success is relative and short term (and even a little bitter because of this “after-smell”).