The Ancient Science of a Successful Business

Identify and pursue these aims in a balanced way in your business for a harmonious life.

When you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. But what happens when you set out to start your own business and end up not loving the work, even though you created it? It’s often a case of recreating the kind of work we know best. It’s based on capitalism which is to extract as much value out of a thing or a person regardless of human factors like values, enjoyment and love.

Instead of aligning your own microbusiness with capitalist culture, may I suggest a more ancient system that can promote fulfilling work on several levels?

It’s a system for living a purposeful life based on ancient Indian Vedic teachings. While more than 5,000 years old, it’s still relevant today. We’re all driven to apply our energy in four main areas of life. This is called “purushartha” and in Sanskrit and translates to “four areas of self-effort.” We can also talk about this in terms of the goals of human existence. Applying energy in these areas of your business shapes your actions and guides you towards a harmonious and meaningful professional and personal life.

These four goals or aims are dharma (purpose), artha (material wellbeing), kama (pleasure) and moksha (liberation). Let’s explore each one.

Dharma is your purpose. It’s your inner wisdom. Your soul’s mission. This is uniquely you. It’s literally what you were born to do. No one else can do it and if it’s not done, it’s left undone for all of time. Understanding this eliminates feelings of competition and imposter syndrome. It’s not related to an exchange of goods and service though oftentimes one’s individual purpose gets lost in pursuing someone else’s goals. This is what much of hired work is. The Bhagavad Gita covers this topic in depth. It’s a segment from the Indian Epic, The Mahabharata, which translates to The Song of God. The saying is that it’s better to do your dharma poorly than someone else’s perfectly.

It is better to do one's own dharma, even though imperfectly, than to do another's dharma, even though perfectly. ~ The Bhagavad Gita 18.47

A highly sensitive woman in midlife often seeks deeper meaning and alignment in their work. Especially after a successful but ultimately unfulfilling career.

Your microbusiness is not just about generating income, but about creating something that aligns with your personal values, skills, and life experiences. Your dharma can be centered around the positive attributes of sensitivity - whether that means offering services or products that provide healing, creativity, or connection. Understanding and embracing your unique purpose can help you stay committed and passionate, knowing your work makes a meaningful impact on your community and the world. Your work in the world in this case leaves you energized, not fried.

Artha is material wellbeing. It’s about acquiring the resources needed to fulfill your dharma. When your basic needs are met, you’re free to focus on higher aspirations.

Financial security is crucial, but for highly sensitive women, it’s equally important that the way we earn money aligns with our values and well-being. Artha, in this case, involves creating a business model that allows for sustainable income without overwhelming or depleting us. Highly sensitive women might thrive with a smaller, more personalized business that allows them to serve fewer clients with deeper, more meaningful interactions. This model can lead to financial prosperity while maintaining work-life balance and reducing stress, ensuring we can live comfortably and support their purpose without compromising their peace of mind.

Most of the HSP entrepreneurs in our community are sensitive to others needs. This matched with a heart of service means they’re often struggling with how much to charge - not wanting to price anyone out of their programs and services. Pricing is a big topic in The Collective, our group coaching program, where we discuss the value of this exchange.

Kama is the pursuit of pleasure, joy and emotional fulfillment. This isn’t fluffy extra. It’s a foundational pillar.

Kama represents the joy and passion that come from the creative aspects of running a business. For many entrepreneurs, their work is deeply fulfilling because it allows them to follow their interests, build relationships, and experience the satisfaction of creating something valuable. Incorporating kama means making time for what brings us joy in our business—whether it’s the innovation, the human connections, or the sheer pleasure of seeing our vision come to life. This balance prevents burnout and keeps entrepreneurs inspired and motivated, which is crucial for long-term success.

For highly sensitive women, kama can be about finding joy in the everyday aspects of running our microbusiness. Since we are often deeply attuned to our environments and experiences, we can create a workspace and business structure that brings joy and fulfillment. This might involve setting up routines that nurture the senses, such as incorporating calming rituals or working in soothing spaces. We can also find pleasure in nurturing relationships with clients and engaging in the creative aspects of our business. Balancing the joy of work with personal needs is key to preventing burnout and maintaining emotional well-being.

Moksha is inner peace, self-realization, spiritual freedom. True contentment.

Moksha in the entrepreneurial journey is the sense of freedom that comes from achieving self-mastery, both in personal and professional life. It’s about freeing yourself from limiting beliefs, fears, and external pressures. Entrepreneurs who achieve moksha experience a level of detachment where their sense of worth is not solely tied to their business’s success or failure. They cultivate a mindset of abundance and inner peace, knowing that they are aligned with their purpose and trusting in their ability to adapt and grow. Moksha can also manifest as the freedom to choose how and when to work, creating a business that supports our desired lifestyle and personal growth.

For highly sensitive women, moksha might mean creating a business that offers both financial independence and personal freedom. Many women in midlife are seeking to break free from societal expectations or past career structures that no longer serve. Moksha in their microbusiness could look like setting boundaries that protect their energy, working flexible hours, or being selective about the clients or projects they take on. By focusing on creating a business that aligns with our spiritual and emotional needs, we can experience the freedom to live life on our terms, reducing stress and embracing a sense of inner peace.

Oftentimes, we find ourselves stressed out about artha, pursuing someone else’s dharma and working too hard to have any kama. It’s like we’re in the weeds and can’t rise up to realize our true nature and experience moksha.

When all four aims - dharma, artha, kama, and moksha—are met in balance, entrepreneurship becomes more than just a means to an end; it becomes a path to living a deeply fulfilled and purpose-driven life. Entrepreneurs who manage to integrate all four desires into their business often experience a unique harmony, where work is both a source of financial stability and joy, while also contributing to personal and spiritual growth.

For highly sensitive women in midlife running our own microbusinesses, balancing these four desires can lead to a more sustainable and successful entrepreneurial experience. By aligning our business with a deeper purpose (dharma), ensuring financial security without compromising wellbeing (artha), finding joy and emotional fulfillment in our work (kama), and creating a sense of freedom and peace in our life (moksha), we can craft a business that not only thrives but also nurtures our sensitive nature.

This holistic approach empowers us to pursue our passions while staying true to our values, honoring our sensitivities, and embracing the unique wisdom and strengths that come with midlife.

Fulfillment comes when all four desires are met harmoniously, enabling us to lead a life of purpose, prosperity, happiness, and freedom.

The practical application of this deep wisdom can be found in The Collective. We’d love to have you join us. Explore more HERE.