Someone once asked His Holiness Maharishi, “What is the most important quality to have in life?” Without hesitation, he answered, “Discrimination.”
The person pressed further, “Now, Maharishi, I cannot believe that. Would not you choose compassion or non-attachment?”
Without showing the slightest surprise, His Holiness Maharishi calmly replied, “When you learn discrimination, only then can you distinguish between what is important and what is not important. With this quality, you begin to understand the truth of life.”
That exchange stayed with me. At first, I too might have leaned toward compassion or patience as the “most important” qualities. The more I reflect on it, the more I see the wisdom in Maharishi’s answer.
Discrimination is the quiet compass behind good judgment. It helps us stay clear, balanced, and true to our values in a world full of noise and temptation.
In both my personal and professional life, I have learned to deal with people selectively not out of arrogance but out of alignment. I prefer to work with those who share a common goal, integrity, and respect for others.
Wealth or status alone does not impress me, character does. I have met some very successful people who carry themselves with humility, and others who, well… could use a little reminder that success does not come with a license to be rude.
Life and business are both smoother when you surround yourself with people who treat others well. As I often remind myself, the quality of your associations quietly shapes the quality of your outcomes.
Discrimination helps me focus on what truly matters and gently let go of what does not. It is not about judging others, it is about keeping clarity, the clarity that guides both heart and mind.
In the end, His Holiness Maharishi was right. When we learn discrimination, we begin to understand the truth of life and perhaps even the art of living it well.