Obsessive Passion is Must for Success

We plan a lot of things, but do not see much progress in implementing it! We have all the right intentions, but can't make any progress in life. One may even resign to the fact that they are destined to a life of mediocrity and can't make progress on their goals.

If we look back on these well intentioned plans it is certain to point to the lack of intensity of desire and focus on these goals, to the exclusion of else. Only when one is obsessively dedicated to a particular cause will they see progress, whether it be in the material world or the spiritual world!

The Lesson from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

There is a famous fable attributed to the great sage Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. One of the disciples asked him "why can't I see god unlike you?". The sage tried to explain to him in vain the need for intensive passion for his goal. So one day he took the disciple to the river for bathing and suddenly held him by his neck and pushed him under water for a few seconds.

Once the shocked disciple was pulled out of water the sage asked him "did you think about god while under water?" to which the disciple replied "the one and only intense thought I had was to get out of water". Then Sri Ramakrishna told him that's the level of intensity he needs to bring to his desire to see god!

The Power of Intensity

This is equally applicable to all of us. Merely wishing for something does not materialize into anything. One should have an intense passion to make progress!

Whether your goal is spiritual enlightenment, professional success, mastering a skill, or transforming your life - the principle remains the same. The intensity of your desire, the depth of your focus, and the consistency of your dedication determine your success. Half-hearted efforts yield half-hearted results. True transformation requires obsessive passion.