In today’s hyper-connected world, we are bombarded by the lives of others. Social media flaunts flawless moments. Peers showcase their progress. And society tells us who we "should" be. Amidst this noise, many lose sight of their own unique purpose. But what if the solution to this chaos lies in one simple truth?

“Don’t care for the opinions of others. All headache gone.”

This golden principle from Swami Mukundananda offers a freeing approach to life. It teaches us how to stop living for others and start living for ourselves—fand ultimately, for God.

Let’s explore the wisdom behind this principle through Swamiji’s words, powerful stories, and practical insight.

You Are One of a Kind

Each face is uniquely recognized, proof of God’s divine design. Why compare, when you were born to be one of a kind?

Each person is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Just like no two trees or even two leaves are the same, no two human beings are identical. Swamiji reminds us that this uniqueness is not accidental; it’s an intentional, divine design.

Even in this modern world, science recognizes this individuality. Technologies like biometric scans and facial recognition software prove it daily. Swamiji shares whether he logs in with tilak or without, glasses on or off, his face is always recognized by systems—because no one else has the same features.

So, when God has taken the time to make you different, why waste your life trying to become someone else?

The Comparison Trap: A Modern Epidemic

Even with $200 billion, comparison stole his joy. True peace comes not from what we have—but from valuing our own journey.

Despite our individuality, we constantly fall into the habit of comparing ourselves to others. It has become a modern epidemic—especially in the digital age.

Swamiji shares a relatable example. You take a simple vacation to Cancun. You enjoy it—until you scroll on your phone and see your friend sailing in Alaska. Suddenly, your joy is replaced by jealousy.

This tendency is not limited to ordinary people. Even billionaires are caught in the loop. Jeff Bezos, one of the richest people in the world, wanted to be the first billionaire in space. But when Richard Branson beat him to it, his 200 billion dollars couldn’t buy him satisfaction.

Comparison robs us of our peace, our gratitude, and our self-worth. As Roosevelt rightly said:

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Monkeys and Grapes: A Scientific Reality Check

What began as joy turned into outrage—just by looking next door. If even monkeys lose peace through comparison, how much more must we guard our own minds?

The absurdity of comparison isn’t just philosophical—it’s biological.

Swamiji shares a humorous yet insightful scientific experiment. A monkey was taught to return a marble in exchange for a cucumber. It was happy with the reward—until it saw another monkey getting a grape for doing the same thing.

The result? The monkey smashed the cucumber in rage.

Even animals feel slighted when they perceive unfairness. It shows that the comparison instinct is hardwired—but that doesn’t mean we should act on it.

In humans, this behavior becomes even more toxic when magnified by social media. People post their best angles, best moments, and best vacations. We compare our reality to their highlight reel—and feel inadequate for no real reason.

Your journey is Not Theirs: The One-Mile Race

Don’t compare stories you don’t fully know. Run your own race, your own way.

To challenge this habit of comparison, Swamiji offers a brilliant analogy.

Imagine a man and a woman finish a one-mile race at the same time. Who performed better? You would generally say the Women. But,

  • If the woman is 20yrs and the man is 60yrs old, the man seems more impressive.
  • If the woman is 90 kg and the man is 55kgs, the woman’s achievement stands out.
  • But if the man completed the race in a wheelchair, he becomes the true hero.

This shifting perception teaches us one thing—we don’t have enough context about others to compare ourselves fairly. Everyone has different challenges, advantages, and limitations.

That’s why it makes no sense to compete with others.

“The idea of life is not to become the best replica of somebody else, but to become the best version of your own self.”

The Peacock and the Cuckoo: Beauty and Strength

The peacock shines, the cuckoo sings—each has its own gift. Don’t let comparison blind you to your own brilliance. Run your own race.

Nature never compares. A peacock has stunning feathers but a harsh voice. A cuckoo sings melodiously but doesn’t look remarkable.

If either compares itself to the other, it will miss the beauty in its own gift.

Swamiji emphasizes that if comparison leads to inspiration, that’s good. But if it leads to discouragement, it’s harmful. Constantly thinking others are better will make you demotivated and miserable.

“Remember—you must run your own race in life.”

A Father’s Wisdom: The Grade 1 Girls’ Race

You didn’t come 20th—you came first out of 31 who weren’t ready yet. Progress isn’t about beating others; it’s about becoming better than you were yesterday.

This beautiful real-life example shared by Swamiji captures how we should measure progress.

A little girl finishes 20th out of 50 in a race and begins to cry. Her father hugs and says:

“Congratulations! You came first out of 31.”

He explains:

“The 19 ahead of you had practiced more. You weren’t racing with them. You were racing with the 31 who didn’t. With more practice, you’ll climb higher next time.”

This story is a touching reminder that life is about growth, not perfection. Each step forward is a victory. The only real competition is your past self.

True Champions Compete with Themselves

True greatness isn’t about outrunning others—it’s about outpacing who you were yesterday.

In the world of athletics, even top athletes have pacers—others who run beside them to maintain a strong speed. But what about world champions? Who runs with them?

No one. They’re too fast to be paced. So they pace themselves. Their focus isn’t on beating someone else but on beating their own record.

“Did I run the best that I could?”

That’s the only question that matters.

This is the art of living. Compete with your past self. Celebrate your growth. Focus on personal excellence.

The Futility of Pleasing Everyone

Whether you do or don’t, they’ll still talk. So stop performing for others—live to please your conscience, not the crowd.

Swamiji warns against wasting energy trying to earn others’ approval. Many spend their lives hoping to be liked, praised, and admired. But this is impossible.

He gives a humorous yet relatable example:

“Look at this Bhondu. He doesn't even drink. He came from the USA to India and doesn't even drink.”

If that same person starts drinking?

“Look at this guy. He is a Sharma from India and now he’s started drinking. What will his ancestors think?”

There is no way to win everyone’s approval—no matter what you do.

Even Mother Sita, in the age of Treta, could not satisfy everyone. A single washerman questioned her purity after she returned from Lanka. And that led to her separation from Lord Ram.

If the divine could not escape criticism, why do we think we can?

Office Promotions and Whispering Colleagues

Promotion doesn't always come with pure applause. Some smiles hide whispers, and some praise echoes with doubt.

 

Let’s say you get promoted at work. You feel happy. People congratulate you.

But once you leave the room, some of them whisper:

“She’s good at office politics. Knows how to butter the boss.”

Swamiji illustrates that public praise often hides private judgment. Seeking applause from everyone is not just exhausting—it’s unrealistic.

Instead, aim to be good, not just to be called good.

A Visit to the Cremation Ground: Final Wisdom

Praise them, insult them—they remain still. The dead teach us what the living often forget.

A disciple once asked his Guru:

“How should I become so that God will be pleased with me?”

The Guru told him to go to a cremation ground and insult the dead bodies. He did—and received no reaction.

Then he told him to praise the dead bodies. Still, there was no reaction.

The Guru explained:

“Become like that. Unmoved by praise or insult. Then you will please God.”

This is one of the deepest lessons in spirituality. Your worth does not lie in what people say. It lies in your sincerity, humility, and effort to walk the right path.

Final Thoughts: Run Your Own Race

Swamiji’s teaching is crystal clear:

  • Stop comparing.
  • Stop seeking universal approval.
  • Focus on becoming better than who you were yesterday.
  • Let your actions please God, not people.
  • Run your own race—at your own pace.

In doing so, you’ll experience freedom, purpose, and peace that no external applause can match.

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