Marx, Zhuangzi & Psychology Marx + Zhuangzi · Everyone is inherently whole

Karmic Obstacles Series

I Once Wanted Success to Prove Myself, and Self-Proof to Bring Success

The main symptoms of my earlier “seeking externally” were wanting to prove myself through success and wanting to achieve success by proving myself.

  1. Proving myself—proving what?

Proving that I am outstanding / worthy of love / worthy of major responsibilities / worthy of success?

At the core, I still lacked subjectivity and was deeply objectified. I had no unconditional ease / tranquility / love and being loved / confidence / happiness and joy.

External success is alienation and emptiness.

Life is unfair everywhere. There is simply no basis for comparing one person with another, and antagonism between people arises from private ownership. Humans only began comparing people when slave owners began selecting slaves. Slaves had to compete relentlessly to be beautiful, physically strong, and have good teeth just to survive, while the slave owners were all a sorry-looking bunch. Everything external to us is unequal, changing, and unstable. So there is no need to seek externally.

  1. Wanting to succeed by proving myself is even more laughable

Wanting to “win over” particular people: A, B, C, D. Wanting recognition, supporters, partners, investors.

This is actually laughable. People who recognize your worth recognize it even more than you imagine; people who do not recognize your worth reject it even more than you imagine. This mindset of proving yourself only attracts people who use your need to prove yourself to psychologically manipulate you, suck you dry, and feed off your energy.

  1. Innate wholeness: no need for success or effort

Stop seeking externally, look within, and return to my true self. People possess innate wholeness and are naturally complete. Exist naturally, like flowers, birds, fish, and insects.

There is no need to prove myself, no need to succeed, no need to struggle, no need to strive.

The only success in life is to steadfastly love myself, be myself, never betray myself, and never torment myself.

  1. Everything unfolds naturally

Everything unfolds naturally. Naturally, I will bring truth, goodness, and beauty into being, and naturally, truth, goodness, and beauty will bring me to fulfillment. Success and accomplishment are both the natural unfolding of my true self and my inner strength / libido.