By Toyin Falola
Success is often measured in terms of material wealth, professional accomplishments, and social status. However, true success transcends these external markers, encompassing spiritual growth and inner fulfilment. Spiritualising success involves integrating moral principles into the pursuit of goals, leading to a more balanced, meaningful, and satisfying life, with inner peace as one of the major tenets. Dr Adeleke epitomises the union between business and religion, demonstrating that business and spirituality can harmoniously coexist. He believes that life encompasses religion and service, and that real success is dependent on spiritual growth and self-actualisation. He is a major example of a successful man who has humanized success.
Success is living a life of purpose and meaning that transcends personal ambitions or societal expectations. It involves understanding one’s unique role in the wider tapestry of life and striving to fulfil that purpose. This can be expressed through service to others, living passionately, or contributing to the greater good. In this context, religious success is centred on an intimate relationship with God, which gives meaning and power to life and fosters a sense of belonging and interrelatedness. Religious success is integrity-driven, characterised by honesty and ethical conduct, which build trust and respect and create a sense of honour.
Spiritual success incorporates compassion and service toward humanity. It involves understanding the unity of all beings and acting out of deep compassion and care for others. True religious success, in essence, includes selfless service aimed at uplifting fellow beings and promoting their welfare for the betterment of society and the world. It also encompasses personal growth and self-realisation, a journey of self-discovery to understand and transcend the self and ego to realise one’s true nature. This includes overcoming personal limitations, evolving into higher states of consciousness, and attaining a state of poised harmony.
For Dr Adeleke, the founder of Adeleke university, spirituality is embracing God’s impact in life. Unlike happiness derived from materialistic things or worldly materials, he believes that true inner peace stems from within. This is evident in his daily life and through his contributions to human development, which provide him with a deep feeling of satisfaction. He has cultivated a personal and intimate relationship with God through practices like prayer, fasting, and meditation. Apart from being a devout Christian, Dr Adeleke has built his businesses and philanthropic endeavours on the ideology that success is not solely measured by money but by the meaningful impact made on others’ lives. This involves living a well-rounded life that nourishes the mind, body, and spirit.
Indeed, achieving a holistic and fulfilling life comes by balancing various dimensions of life, such as professional, social, and personal aspects. Dr Adeleke’s life serves as a replicable model for entwining spirituality with success. His leadership style is a template for the younger generation, and his uncompromising ethics and strong commitment to social responsibility make him a compelling example of how to use business to effect positive social change. His story underscores the significance of faith and spirituality in attaining success in both life and career, stressing that how one achieves goals and the positive difference made along the way are crucial measures of accomplishments.
Integrating spirituality into the pursuit of success enriches individuals with a deeper sense of purpose and motivation, fosters resilience and emotional stability, and promotes balance. At the core of Dr Adeleke’s life are gratitude and humility, which are major attributes of spiritual success that encourage recognising the blessings of life and being thankful for those blessings. Humility presupposes a knowledge that true success is not achieved in isolation but through divine grace, supporting people, and interdependence among all living beings. This spiritual perspective expands the definition of success to include personal fulfilment, harmonious relationships, and overall well-being, thereby nurturing a more balanced and fulfilling life.
As an avid scholar and businessman, Dr Adeleke’s perception of success is evident in his efforts to advance human potential through the pursuit of knowledge. His commitment to education underscores his profile as a spiritually motivated individual guided by a higher purpose. Recognising his special calling and allowing it to guide his decision-making, Dr Adeleke’s life is rooted in spiritual values nurtured through prayer and his dedication to serving humanity through good deeds.
By serving and uplifting others, Dr Adeleke enriches the lives of those he encounters, contributing to their satisfaction and sense of purpose through his spiritual approach to success. Integrating moral principles with his external pursuits, he embodies a holistic approach wherein ethical values are integrated with the pursuit of his external goals, leading to a completely balanced and meaningful life. Dr Adeleke is proof that an individual can achieve success once they are mindful, humble, compassionate, and lead with integrity.
