Series: The DGL® Series — Blog 5
Discover transformative books by Dr. Sanjay Runwal: 1. SBOP Living, 2. Living the MGH Way, 3. Golden Retirement and 4. Thoughtful Reflections
As we reach the conclusion of our series on Doing Good in Life (DGL®), we arrive at what I consider the most profound and perhaps the most challenging form of contribution. We have explored the strategic deployment of the 3Ws — Wealth, Wisdom, and Warmth. We have discussed how DGL® is the voluntary, soul-driven upgrade to institutional CSR. We have even realized that we must be truly human before we can connect with the Divine. Now, we move into the realm of the intangible: the final form of DGL® which consists of blessings and prayers offered with absolutely no expectations in return.
Throughout our professional innings, we are taught to be competitive. As a Business Strategist, I know that the boardroom and the marketplace are often seen as battlefields where we must defend our territory and overcome our rivals. In that "Rajasic" phase of life, it is natural to view an adversary as a hurdle to be cleared. But as we transition into our Golden Retirement, we are called to a higher state of being. We are called to "Refire" our souls.
Blessing the Adversary: The Ultimate Strategic Release
The highest manifestation of DGL® is to bless your adversary and to pray for your foe. This may sound counterintuitive to a mind trained in the "thrill of the game." You might ask: "Sanjay, why should I pray for someone who has wronged me or who stands against my interests?"
The answer lies in your own Inner Peace. As we discussed in the context of the SBOP® Toolkit, harboring HARE (Hatred, Anger, Resentment, Envy) is like storing venom in your own body. It occupies valuable space on your "mental hard disc" and prevents you from experiencing the Sattvic state of serenity.
By consciously choosing to offer a silent blessing to those who oppose you, you are performing the ultimate "System Cleanup." You are not necessarily endorsing their actions; you are simply refusing to let their negativity control your internal environment. This is the practical application of SDL (Semi-Detachment in Life). You detach from the hurt and the desire for "retaliation," and instead, you offer a vibration of goodness.
From Mechanical Behaviour to a Way of Life
For this final form of DGL® to be effective, it must become a way of life rather than a mechanical behaviour. It is easy to mutter a prayer out of obligation, but the soul does not recognize empty words. True DGL® requires a "Genuity of Involvement."
When you sit in your morning meditation, as I describe in Chapter 16 of "Golden Retirement: Design Your Next Chapter, Beyond the Balance Sheet," intentionally bring to mind someone with whom you have a conflict. Instead of recalling the grievance, visualize their well-being. Wish for their peace. This act of giving without any expectation of a "thank you" or a change in their behavior is the purest form of generosity.
It is here that you experience the true joy of giving. Because there is no external transaction, the entire reward is internal. You will find that as you pray for your foe, the "tightness" in your own chest begins to loosen. You feel light, relieved, and empowered. You are no longer a victim of a past conflict; you are the master of your own compassion.
The Feeling of Self-Transcendence
This practice lifts you to a new feeling of human Self-Transcendence. If you refer to the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs discussed in Chapter 16 of my book "Golden Retirement: Design Your Next Chapter, Beyond the Balance Sheet," you will see that self-transcendence is the pinnacle. It is the moment when the boundaries of the "self" dissolve.
When you can sincerely pray for the happiness of all beings, including your adversaries, you have moved beyond the "Professional Armour" and the ego. You have reached a state where your fulfillment is derived from the universal good. This is the "Completeness" that we all seek but so few of us find in our busy years of accumulation.
Closing the DGL® Passbook for the Day
A life lived through the MGH™ Way (Mindfulness, Gratitude, Happiness) finds its natural conclusion in this selfless spiritual service. Every silent blessing you offer adds to your "DGL® Passbook." This is the only wealth that stays with you and continues to radiate long after you are gone.
I urge you to make this your daily protocol. Do not wait for a reason to be kind. Do not wait for an apology before you forgive. Experience the profound solace that comes from being a source of positive energy in a world that is often fragmented by discord. By blessing those who do not expect it, you are proving that a single, sincere intent can indeed make a large difference in the evolution of humanity.
Your Reflection and Action Points
- Identify the Adversary: Is there one person in your personal or professional past whose name still brings a flicker of resentment? Can you commit to offering them a silent blessing today?
- The Sincerity Check: When you offer a prayer or a good wish, are you doing it as a mechanical ritual, or can you feel the "Warmth" of genuine compassion in your heart?
- The Solace Test: Notice how you feel after sincerely wishing well for someone you dislike. Do you feel a sense of internal "lightness" or relief?
- Practice SDL: Can you bless someone and then completely let go of any desire for them to know about it or to treat you better in return?
- The Daily Protocol: How can you integrate "Silent Blessings for All" into the first ten minutes of your morning routine?
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. Dr. Sanjay Runwal offers these reflections as a personal and philosophical guide for those seeking inner peace and emotional resilience through the DGL® framework.