Naturally, the question that arises would be: Is being good to others not enough to attain happiness?
I would say, if one feels happy by doing good to others while recognising the divine spark resident in them, then that person is an advanced soul who needs very little of any kind of meditation.
Look carefully and it is easy to realise this is not always so. One is sometimes kind, sometimes not. One is not uniformly kind at all times.
Normally, in most of the instances, kindness is expressed when one is not feeling threatened, or when one feels that nothing of theirs will be taken away, or when one feels that one’s rights won’t be trampled upon.
Sometimes, kindness is also about not giving something to someone in need. This is necessary to help the person in need become self-reliant and find what one wants for oneself. This may involve a certain bit of unpleasantness though the reason is quite benevolent.
When the child does a mistake, it results in scolding by the father or the mother. This is not being unkind. It is indeed a form of kindness. So one has to be quite careful when defining the parameters of kindness.
Most people, we notice, are not happy. There is no happiness in them. So, what will they share with others? It goes without saying that unless one is complete, one cannot share happiness with others.
I can assure you though, that anyone who meditates, who is moving towards one’s spiritual goal by the nature of one’s sadhana, becomes more kinder and helpful. One does not cause harm to others as a result.
A gradual process of transformation can be seen here, wherein one is gradually discovering for oneself, through worship or service, the divine spark that resides in all living forms–making them a form or part of God. Rendering service to others is indeed the worship of this divine spark in others.
Most people, we notice, are not happy. There is no happiness in them. So, what will they share with others? It goes without saying that unless one is complete, one cannot share happiness with others.
Therefore, what I mean by sadhana is to first find completeness within oneself. This does not mean that one stops doing service unto others till complete happiness is found through sadhana. It’s not what I mean.
One should do good to others because it completes one’s meditation. Completing a good deed and then sitting down results in a meditation that is 100 times better than when harm is caused to someone. As one goes deeper and deeper into sadhana, it is revealed that one becomes not only happier, but also kinder, more caring and a better person.