East or West, which one is for you?

Motivation, goal setting, leadership, success programming, wealth creation…… these are the buzz words today! A huge number of people are making a lot of money out of telling others how to make money. How many of those who attend these sessions actually made money is anybody’s guess!

I have been reading many books on these subjects right from Napoleon Hills to Robin Sharma, and also attended a many motivation sessions including that of Jim Ron. With my fair amount of familiarity with the eastern philosophy, I notice a number of striking fundamental differences of these Western approaches to our philosophy. Some times I even wonder, if the Western philosophy would ever work with Indians, because it requires a paradigm shift to even understand their approach to life, leave alone practice it.

Here are some of the common western thoughts.

There are ways by which you can attract wealth and money in your life. You can become wealthy if you really want to become one. Set your goal clearly, spell it out and believe that you can achieve it. Let every thought, word and action be focused on the goal. The stronger your desire is the faster you will reach your goal. Dream of your future and you will create it.

Now let’s looks at some of the fundamental differences.

West focuses on attracting wealth, money, success and power. And it says define how much wealth you want and work towards it. But in East, our focus has always been not so much on money. Our philosophy says whatever you do, do it well and do not worry about the result. Gita says your focus should be on the karma and not on the end result. Do your duty, and leave the result to God.

West says you define what you want. East says, your purpose of being here is already defined. Look inside you, listen to you and discover your Swadharma. Once you discover, leave the rest to God and do not meddle with His design. He will take care of you. Go with the flow if you want to be happy.

West says You can change your life. East believes firmly in God, or the supreme power. We say, let Him work through you and do not resist. We believe that every word spoken, every action taken belongs to Him and hence the results will be guided by Him. We even go the extend of saying that, when it is He who works through you, the success or failure is to Him, and why do you bother about the outcome?

West says; tell to yourself that you can do. East says pray to God, leave it Him, and He will answer your prayer. Even if He doesn’t, there will be a reason for it.

West says decide what you want to be. East says whatever you are today, be content with it. More often the Eastern priorities revolve around the family and their needs, pushing the personal needs to a secondary place. The fact still remains that in India, still most of the people get educated not out of their passion, but to find a job. Many times, it is the first job that they take up decides their profession, and not their interest nor what they study. Our economy is yet to come to the level where you can choose to learn pot making because you like it and still have a comfortable life compared to your school mate who goes on to become a software engineer. Many of us have taken up a particular profession by chance and not by choice.

West says the stronger your desire is the faster you will achieve it. East says desire is the root cause of all misery.

West says you are what you think you are. East says that the “real you” is different from what you think you are. West says you are a product of your thoughts. East says thoughts are the product of you and realize that you and your thoughts are two different things.

Western philosophy seems to be self-centric, while Eastern philosophy is centered around “Self”!

So which is right? Which will work for you? Self-centered Western thoughts? “Self” centered Eastern philosophy? It all depends on how much western or eastern you are, in terms of your upbringing and mind set. But one thing is certain; there is no single philosophy that will work on every one in the same way. You need to discover your philosophy!