Series: The DGL® Series — Blog 4
Discover transformative books by Dr. Sanjay Runwal: 1. SBOP Living, 2. Living the MGH Way, 3. Golden Retirement and 4. Thoughtful Reflections
My dear reader, in our spiritual quest, many of us are often in a hurry to connect with the divine. We visit temples, churches, or mosques, believing that our devotion within those walls is the ultimate measure of our goodness. We offer prayers and perform rituals, hoping to find peace and salvation. However, as a Humanologist, I believe we must confront a fundamental truth: we must learn to be truly human before we long for the divine.
Doing Good in Life (DGL®) is not just a tenet of my SBOP Living® framework; it is the real test of our humanity. The divine does not reside only in structures of stone or under magnificent domes. The divine is with us, and within us, only when we practice DGL® and achieve a state of self-transcendence.
The Internal Obstacles: HARE and AED
In my research, I have observed that many individuals struggle to find fulfilment because their internal "hard disc" is cluttered with negative programming. Today, we often fail to practice the essential values that define a high-quality human existence. Instead of cultivating Kindness, Empathy, Forgiveness, and Compassion (KEFC), we often indulge in the toxic cycle of HARE –– Hatred, Anger, Resentment, and Envy.
Furthermore, we allow our peace to be dictated by AED –– Attachment, Expectations, and Desires. As I have discussed in Chapter 11 of my book, "How to Live Life? SBOP Living® - For Life After 55/60," these three forces are the primary causes of human unhappiness. We are so attached to our roles, so burdened by our expectations of others, and so driven by insatiable desires that we lose our ability to be present.
We try to bridge this internal gap by seeking the divine through external rituals. We believe that a visit to a place of worship can substitute for a lack of kindness in our daily interactions. But without being human first, these acts of worship remain mechanical and hollow.
DGL® as the Path to Self-Transcendence
Spirituality is not a detachment from the world, but a deeper engagement with it. It is the practice of being fully human. In the MGH™ Way, we understand that happiness is a flow that begins with mindfulness and gratitude. But that flow reaches its pinnacle only when it moves into DGL®.
This is the state of Self-Transcendence. If you look at Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which I have discussed in Chapter 16 of "Golden Retirement: Design Your Next Chapter, Beyond the Balance Sheet," self-transcendence sits at the very top. It is the moment when we move beyond our own narrow needs and fears to serve the collective good.
DGL® is the practical implementation of this transcendence. It is the conscious choice to use our 3Ws — Wealth, Wisdom, and Warmth — to uplift others. When you help a child with a heart ailment, when you mentor a young professional without seeking a fee, or when you offer a sincere prayer for the well-being of a stranger, you are passing the test of being human.
The Sequence of Responsibility
I often tell my peers that our responsibility as humans comes first. The temple, church, or mosque should be the place where we go to offer gratitude after we have performed our duties to humanity, not a place where we go to hide from them.
The divine is found in the "Genuity of Involvement" with which we touch the lives of others. It is found in the TAG — Tolerance, Appreciation, and Gratitude — we show to those around us. When you practice KEFC and TAG, you are creating a "Sattvic" environment in your own heart. This inner purity is the only invitation the divine requires to stay with you.
A complete life is not measured by the frequency of your prayers, but by the weight of your DGL® passbook. It is measured by the footprints of goodness you leave behind. By being a "better human being" every single day, you naturally align yourself with the universal flow.
Your Reflection and Action Points
- Humanity vs. Ritual: Think about your day yesterday. Did you spend more time in formal prayer than you did in practicing kindness and empathy towards others?
- Identify the HARE: Is there a trace of Hatred, Anger, Resentment, or Envy currently blocking your peace? How can you use the "f" in KEFC to forgive and clear that space today?
- The AED Audit: What is one expectation you have from a family member that is causing you frustration? Can you practice Semi-Detachment in Life (SDL) and release that expectation?
- Small Act of Transcendence: Identify one person in your community who is suffering. How can you offer them your Wisdom or Warmth today without expecting anything in return?
- The Living Temple: How can you turn your next conversation into a spiritual practice by being fully present and authentic through "Genuity of Involvement"?
Your golden moments of a purposeful life are happening right now, in this very second. Do not allow a digital notification to steal the presence required to live them magnificently.
Dr. Sanjay Runwal
Business Strategist and Humanologist
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author. In no way does Dr. Sanjay Runwal intend to belittle the importance of religious institutions or individual faith. His objective is to emphasise that the true essence of spirituality is found in our conduct and our selfless contributions to humanity through DGL®.