Learn also to be unselfish. To find happiness in making others happy is a true goal of one who loves God. Giving happiness to others is tremendously important to our own happiness, and a most satisfying experience. Some people think only of their own family: “Us four and no more.” Others think only of self: “How am I going to be happy?” But these are the very persons who do not become happy!
It is not right to seek personal happiness regardless of others’ well-being. If you unscrupulously take away others’ dollars for yourself, you may become rich, but you will never be happy, because their thoughts of resentment against you will react upon you. The Divine law is that whenever you try to make yourself happy at the cost of others’ welfare, everyone will want to make you unhappy. But if you try to make others happy, even at the cost of your own contentment, everyone will think of your welfare. Whenever you think of your own necessities, remember the needs of others, too. As soon as you feel concerned for their well-being, you will want to make them happy. The unselfish person gets along peacefully with his family and with the rest of the world. The selfish person always gets into trouble and loses his peace of mind.
Extract from the book “The Divine Romance” by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
