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The Bhagavad Gita
I am a scientific materialist. Philosophically I disagree with much of Indian philosophical writings. But within the Gita is the most profound statement that can ever be made on how to attain happiness in life.
"Karmanyevadhikaraste etc:
Paraphrasing: Work because it is your duty to work, not because of the gratification you expect out of it.
But is this not against human nature, which dictates that one works for immediate or postponed gratification?
True, it is part of our nature, but a part of our animal, not human nature. Our genetic makeup dictates our desires and for wish fulfillment. To rise above this is to become human. And if your happiness does not depend upon the fruits of labour, then lack of attainment of your goals will never make you unhappy.
When your happiness no longer depends upon the results of your labour, why would man work at all? Will it not end up as communism did, with laziness everywhere?
Our happiness as per our animal nature does depend on the results of our labours. But a human must work because IT HAS TO BE DONE. Whether we like it or not, whether you believe in it or not. If your work has no hope of success, matters not. If the returns are not to your expectation, matters not. Work because it has to be done.
Because the work you do is only a part of the whole, which is the work done by all of mankind. The work you do adds to the system, in ways which may or may not be comprehensible to you. By being a part of the community of mankind, you become a part of the systems that underlie this world and the system will take care of you. By not working when it does not suit you, you subtract rather than add to the system, making it more likely that the system will not take care of you.
If one can understand this, one will follow the dictum laid down in the Gita. But how to actually put it in practice? How is it meaningful for the average wage earner?
Compartmentalise your life. Put away time for work, home, play and loneliness, every day. When you are working, don't do personal work. Do not take work home. Go to work 5 minutes early and go home 5 minutes late. While working, only worry about doing your job properly, not what others are doing. If your work is not done, the only person responsible for blame is yourself, not others, not the system. Complaints and excuses blaming others only say one thing - you are not doing your work, your duty. This is work culture.
Sadly, only in the West did I see the most valuable lesson in the Gita being implemented, and that too everywhere. Everyone from sweepers to bank clerks did their work, because they felt it was their duty, following the karma marga without ever having read the gita. Work culture and discipline was instilled in children from birth, by setting an example. Never in India!