Meditation: On Worldly Success
Placing the petty, the evil and the mediocre in context in an age of collapse
O my soul! The World is a crucible whose ultimate, valid purpose is purification of the soul;1 it is not an end in itself.2
It has final merit insofar as it corresponds with, anticipates and prepares for Eternity.
Accumulation of the World’s coin is not the principal thing; rather, it is the ability to transmute the currency of temporality into that of Eternity.3
To understand that success as understood by the World is a fraudulent measure, look at those who are thought to have it. At close quarters, it seems that wealth and status have made them rich and free, but at each step removed, the more fragile, weak and contingent they are seen to be.4
How then to understand the advancement of so many beyond their objective merits? One must remember that every trade entails payment. Everything must be paid for. And such men are stealing themselves poor.
The satan is the enemy of our soul. He exacts a price, and he never fails to collect.5
Worldly success is a trial like any other. If it becomes your lot, accept it. If not, accept it. It is an imposter both coming and going.
Fear God and breathe the air of the Garden in order to know the value of things and place men in their right perspective.6
This is beautiful and timely. Thank you.
Reminds me of: "The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence." (Proverbs 9:10)
This verse reminds me of a couple of verses in the Qur'an: "Dost thou not see that God sends down from the sky water? And We bring forth therewith fruit differing in its hues; and among the mountains are streaks, white and red — differing in their hues — and deep black, And among men and beasts and cattle, differing in their hues; thus there but fear God the knowledgeable among His servants; God is exalted in might and forgiving."
(35:27-28)