Being happy is of the utmost importance. Success in anything is

“Being happy is of the utmost importance. Success in anything is through happiness.” Thus spoke Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the sage whose teachings brought ancient wisdom into the modern age. His words are simple, yet within them lies a depth as vast as the ocean — for he speaks not of fleeting pleasure, but of happiness as the very foundation of life itself. To the Maharishi, happiness is not a reward for success, but the source of it. It is not the fruit of the tree — it is the soil from which all fruit grows.

In an age where men and women chase goals with restless hearts, the Maharishi’s teaching returns us to the eternal truth: that the state of the soul determines the quality of all creation. If the heart is troubled, even triumph feels hollow; but if the heart is peaceful and bright, every act — however small — becomes noble and complete. Happiness, in his understanding, is not a luxury; it is the sacred root of purpose, creativity, and resilience. It is the sun that nourishes the inner world, and without it, no seed of success can truly bloom.

The origin of this wisdom flows from the Maharishi’s study of the Vedic tradition, from which he drew his philosophy of Transcendental Meditation. He taught that true happiness comes not from the outer world — not from wealth, recognition, or ambition — but from contact with the Self, the silent wellspring of consciousness that lies beyond thought and fear. When the mind is stilled and the heart rests in this inner silence, a natural joy arises — uncaused, unbound, eternal. This joy, he said, is the true measure of life, for it aligns us with the harmony of creation itself.

Consider, for example, the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who lived in poverty yet radiated peace. His strength was not born of anger or ambition, but of a deep happiness rooted in his faith and purpose. When faced with injustice, he did not lash out in hatred; he stood firm in serenity, and his calmness disarmed empires. Gandhi’s success — the liberation of a nation through nonviolence — flowed not from material power, but from the spiritual happiness that guided his every thought and action. In his heart burned the same truth that Maharishi spoke: that when one is inwardly happy, success becomes effortless, for the universe itself seems to conspire in the service of peace.

In contrast, how often do we see men and women who achieve greatness outwardly yet remain empty within? Their victories are loud but short-lived, for they are built upon exhaustion and desire rather than joy. They chase success, but their hearts are weary; they gain the world, yet lose their souls. Maharishi’s wisdom shines here like a lantern in the dark: happiness must come first, or else all achievement turns to dust. The truly successful life is not one that conquers others, but one that masters itself — that acts from wholeness, not from hunger.

And yet, this happiness he speaks of is not mere contentment or comfort. It is courageous, for it demands awareness. To be happy is to choose peace in the midst of turmoil, to remain grateful in the face of loss, and to see beauty even when the world is veiled in shadow. This is no passive joy, but an active discipline — the art of returning, again and again, to the still center within. It is the same truth the Stoics of ancient Greece understood, the same light that shone in the meditations of the Buddha and the prayers of the saints: that happiness is not a reaction to life, but a way of living it.

So what lesson, O seeker of meaning, shall we draw from this teaching? Begin by reversing the order the world has taught you. Do not say, “I will be happy when I succeed.” Say instead, “I will succeed because I am happy.” Cultivate joy not as an accident, but as a practice. Spend time each day in silence, breathe deeply, offer gratitude for what already is. Seek peace not in possessions, but in presence. Let kindness become your habit, and watch how the world opens to you.

Thus, the words of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi become not a promise, but a path: “Being happy is of the utmost importance. Success in anything is through happiness.” For when the soul is at peace, the mind grows clear; when the heart is joyful, the hand becomes skillful; when happiness leads the way, success follows like a faithful shadow. Remember, then, that happiness is not something to find — it is something to be. And he who learns this secret carries within him the true wealth of the ages.