Not all wisdom applies to everyone
I was chatting with my mentee on WhatsApp the other day. It’s been a while since I served as a mentor with the Singapore Buddhist Mission, three seasons to be exact, but I still try my best to keep in touch with them. This particular mentee is someone who has always stood out to me. She’s curious, eager to learn the Dharma, and despite her tough background, she has a heart that genuinely seeks understanding. She sent me a post she saw on Instagram that said, “I thought my purpose and achievements would make the pain disappear. It only taught me how to hide it better.” She told me it resonated with her deeply. I could understand why. Many of us grow up thinking that once we achieve enough, once we "make it," the pain or emptiness inside will fade away. But often, success just gives us a prettier mask to wear. I told her, “Yes, many people mistakenly believe that achievements define who they are and their purpose, or that life must revolve only around a single, fixed goal or ...
