We often view the spiritual journey as a ladder. We think that once we reach the top, we will be “full” of wisdom, surrounded by followers, and permanently changed.
But the deepest truth of the Dhamma is far more paradoxical: Even after you have received everything, you must remain as a person with nothing. True liberation isn’t about becoming a “somebody”; it’s about having the courage to remain “nobody.”
The Trap of the Two Extremes
Most people spend their lives swinging between two poles:
- Worldly Consumption: The belief that happiness is found in accumulation and a “capitalist” mindset.
- Forced Poverty: The belief that spirituality requires a rejection of the world through deprivation.
Neither of these is the truth. When you are trapped in an extreme, you become blind to the real nature of the world. You lose the ability to see the hearts of others because you are too busy judging the world through the lens of your own beliefs.
The Power of “Effortless Stopping”
When we truly understand the nature of existence, something beautiful happens: We stop. * The internal “speed” and discomfort disappear.
- The urge to compete with others evaporates.
- We withdraw from the race not out of weakness, but out of a profound sense of self-contentment.
This is not a forced stop; it is an effortless resolution. You finally become happy with yourself, exactly as you are, without needing to prove it to a single soul.
The Illusion of “Showing Off” Happiness
Look around, and you will see a world of people who do not live to be happy, but to show they are happy. We curate our lives for an audience, unaware that every time we perform, we lose a piece of our true nature.
To live without achieving eternal satisfaction—the unadulterated peace that exists beyond the mind—is to live a half-life. Those who have lost their true nature are like the “walking dead,” moving through the world without ever touching the true pulse of life.
“A person who is truly awake can stand in a crowd of thousands and still walk with the absolute freedom of a man who is alone.”
How to Stay Genuine on the Path
To achieve the true purpose of your journey, you must practice the art of remaining “empty”:
- Walk Alone: Even when people gather around you to hear your wisdom, do not let it feed your ego. Remain solitary in your heart.
- Stay Empty: Don’t let your “spiritual achievements” fill you with pride. A full cup cannot receive anything new.
- Experience, Don’t Analyze: Shift from the “satisfaction of the mind” (which is temporary) to the “peace of the soul” (which is eternal).
Final Call: Wake Up to True Life
The journey isn’t about becoming a consumer of spiritual experiences. It is about liberation. Find the true purpose within you. Achieve the stillness that doesn’t require an audience. When you stop the pursuit, you finally start living. Achieve it. Become satisfied. Be free.