What is something you feel concerned or preoccupied about these days?
A work goal, finances, health, relationships?
How do you imagine you will feel once you achieve it?
And then what will you do?
As we sit with these questions, here is an account of a conversation with one of the most powerful kings in history — one that offers insight into our own lives.
The Most Powerful King
Emperor Alexander remains one of the most well-known figures in history, remembered especially for his ambition to conquer the world. At one point, his empire stretched from Egypt to northwestern India.
After his campaign in India met with mixed success and his exhausted troops began to rebel, Alexander decided to turn back.
On his return journey, he came across a naked ascetic seated on a rock, gazing at the sky.
Greek accounts describe such ascetics as “gymnosophists” — naked philosophers.
Alexander asked him, “What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” replied the ascetic.
For someone engaged in relentless battles across continents, this must have seemed strange. Here was a man apparently doing nothing at all.
“And what about you?” the ascetic asked.
“I am conquering the world,” Alexander replied.
“And what will you do after that?”
“I will acquire greater wealth and strengthen my military power.”
“And then?”
“I will take my wealth back to Greece.”
“And then?”
“I will sit on my throne and rest.”
The ascetic smiled and replied:
“That is what I am doing now.”
Two Different Worldviews
Devdutt Pattanaik reflects on this contrast in worldviews.
Greek philosophy often emphasizes that we live only once, and therefore must make the most of life — achieve greatness, become heroes, change the world, leave behind a legacy.
Many Indian wisdom traditions, on the other hand, look at life from the inside out. They suggest that the body is temporary — almost like a costume we wear — while the deeper self continues its journey. We keep returning to life until we discover deeper meaning and understanding.
In this view, the purpose of life is not only to acquire something outside ourselves, but to discover what lies within. And perhaps that is how lasting change happens in the world as well — from the inside out.
Wisdom for Our Lives
The story reminds us of something we often forget in the rush of achievement.
We postpone peace.
We tell ourselves:
“Once I achieve this… then I will rest.”
“Once I succeed… then I will spend time with family.”
“Once things settle down… then I will take care of my health.”
In the process, peace becomes permanently delayed.
Author Shakti Gawain offers a helpful reflection through three dimensions of life: having, doing, and being.
We usually try to live our lives backward:
trying to have more things, or more money,
in order to do more of what we want,
so that we will be happier.
The way it actually works is the reverse.
Be who you really are,
then do what you need to do,
in order to have what you want.
A Practice You Can Try
Take a few moments to reflect on the needs and goals currently occupying your mind.
What are you trying to have?
What are you trying to do?
And what way of being are you truly seeking underneath it all?
| What I want to have | It will allow me to do | What I long to feel |
| A better job | Doing work I enjoy | Feeling satisfied |
| A stronger relationship | Expressing myself honestly | Feeling loved |
| A supportive networkMore free time | Building meaningful connectionsRest and reflect | Feeling confidentCalm |
Sometimes, beneath many of our desires, we are simply longing to feel:
- peaceful
- valued
- safe
- connected
- loved
- calm
And perhaps some part of that way of being can begin now — even before everything is resolved.
The Sabad Project - Wisdom stories 
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