Greener Pastures A spiritual reflection on chasing success versus finding inner fulfilment Author: His Grace Sadananda Dasa True “greener pastures” aren’t found in foreign lands or bigger paychecks.They flourish within a heart that seeks purpose beyond possessions.The ultimate journey isn’t across borders—it’s inward, toward self-discovery. “Just one more year, and I’ll be happy.” These were the words of my father’s dear friend, Mohan, as he boarded a flight to America decades ago. I’ve heard so many stories about him growing up—how he was the brightest among his peers, worked tirelessly to secure a high-paying job abroad, and left with the promise of returning once he had ‘made it.’ Years passed. Mohan would visit occasionally, but something about him had changed. His suit was expensive, his watch even more so, but his laughter felt forced, his conversations rushed. My father, who once admired Mohan’s achievements, noticed it too. “He has everything he once dreamed of,” my father would say, “yet he looks like a man searching for something he cannot name.” When Mohan visited our home one evening, I sat quietly as he and my father reminisced about old times. Then, out of nowhere, Mohan sighed and said, “I spent my whole life chasing success. But now, sitting here, hearing the same familiar sounds of temple bells and children’s laughter, I wonder—was it all worth it?” His words hung in the air. How many Mohans do we know? How many leave their homeland chasing “greener pastures,” only to find that fulfillment remains out of reach? The Vedic scriptures explain this phenomenon beautifully.The Bhagavad-gītā (2.70) gives a profound analogy:“A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires—that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but remains still—can alone achieve peace.” Desires, like rivers, keep flowing in. No matter how much we achieve—wealth, success, comfort—the mind always demands more. It’s a mirage; the closer we are to happiness, the further it moves. The Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (1.5.18) offers an even deeper insight:“Persons who are actually intelligent and philosophically inclined should endeavor only for that purposeful end which is not obtainable even by wandering from the topmost planet [Brahmaloka] down to the lowest planet [Pātāla]. As far as happiness derived from sense enjoyment is concerned, it can be obtained automatically in course of time, just as in course of time we obtain miseries even though we do not desire them.” This verse dismantles the illusion that material success alone can guarantee happiness. Just as miseries come uninvited, so does happiness—it arrives in due course, whether we chase it or not. Instead of tirelessly pursuing external pleasures, wise individuals focus on self-realization—the only pursuit that truly matters. Mohan, after years of chasing temporary joys, finally understood this. He started reconnecting with his roots—practicing meditation, engaging in spiritual discussions, and serving others. “For the first time in years,” he told my father, “I feel a peace that isn’t tied to my bank account or job title.” So, before we pack our bags and run toward the next “better opportunity,” let’s pause and ask: Am I nurturing my soul, or am I just shifting my surroundings? Moving abroad, earning wealth, and advancing in career aren’t wrong—but they aren’t the keys to lasting fulfillment either. Without inner contentment, no external success can satisfy us. True “greener pastures” aren’t found in foreign lands or bigger paychecks.They flourish within a heart that seeks purpose beyond possessions.The ultimate journey isn’t across borders—it’s inward, toward self-discovery. The choice is ours: keep chasing the mirage, or turn within and find the oasis that was always there.