Those who want to progress and grow correctly in life – and those who want to develop themselves to reach the goal of life would do well to listen to those who have already succeeded. Those who follow such individuals in life – will succeed themselves. Those who choose not to, do so at their own peril.
Of course we might wonder who really has succeeded in reaching the goal of life – and that is a question for us all to consider. One may well need to set up a mentor for oneself who one believes has reached the type of goals we can see are successful ones. We all need a guide – someone more mature than ourselves, greater than ourselves. We need a mentor and someone who will guide us along the right path. Indeed this is the Mesillat Yesharim – after all. it is the Path of the Just. And so – if we are striving to go along a path that is just, we need to find someone who has already reached that goal – and to follow them and listen to their guidance.
The Ramchal tells us that the path we need to follow is to be of those who go to “Cheshbon” – those who make an accounting for their ways. One has to be someone who pays attention to what one is doing in life and where one is going. Life is not just about doing whatever comes one’s way every day, but rather, it is about considering clearly where one is and where one is headed.
Those on a journey may carry with them a map book so they know where to go. They need to refer to it constantly to see they’re on track! Reaching one’s spiritual goals is no different.
We conclude Chapter 3 of this wonderful book and prefer for the next chapter which deals with the topic of how we can actually acquire the trait we have been learning so much about with regards to what it is.
