Achievement, success, fame: they bring you nothing you need. All you require has already been given to you by nature. Yet you create needs based on your preferences and selfish desires. You create unnecessary problems and then desperately search for their answers. And once you achieve, once the destination is reached, you are unsatisfied. Like your hunger remained after having a feast. You're surprised and disappointed. But should any of this be surprising at all? How are you disappointed to find nothing at the end of this suffering path? You gave a goal? "Yes, I do". And what is that goal? "I want to be successful!". What do you mean by successful? Be precise! "I want to reach a high level, be known and respected, be famous and rich!". And you think that any of these outcomes are in your control? "No but I will do what I can. I'll put effort and time into my work and excel!" That is the right method, to focus on the process and be patient, but the right methods applied to the wrong situation won't lead you anywhere appropriate for you. "But I'm certain I'll be happy if I'm successful like that!" Ah there it is, the real goal you have; to be happy. So why not look at happiness and yourself directly? You think success will make you happy. But could it not be a burden if reached in the wrong way? "Yes, it could be a burden like that". So do you see that success by itself cannot always be good and desirable? "Yes, it depends." And what if your unhappiness is a product of your mind? "Then even once I am successful my mind will still find a reason to be unhappy". Yes, if you understand your mind and this tendency to be unhappy no matter what first, what could happen? "I might realize that I never have a reason to be unhappy." Yes, and then you'll be alive and awake to your blessings...
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