"Pas par des rituels et des résolutions, ni par beaucoup d'apprentissage, ni par le célibat, ni même par la méditation, vous ne pouvez trouver la joie suprême et immortelle du nirvana jusqu'à ce que vous éteigniez votre volonté propre."

Finding the ultimate peace and joy in life isn't about how many rituals you follow, the number of resolutions you make, or how much knowledge you accumulate. It's not about staying celibate or even spending hours in meditation. True, lasting happiness comes when you let go of your ego and self-centered desires.

Let's break this down a bit. Imagine you’re constantly chasing some form of self-improvement—maybe you’re always trying to learn new things, stick to strict routines, or dedicate yourself to spiritual practices. There's nothing wrong with these actions in themselves, but if your underlying aim is to feed your ego or prove something to yourself or others, you're missing the point. It’s like running on a treadmill, thinking you’re going somewhere, but you’re just exhausting yourself without moving an inch closer to real happiness.

Historically, this idea has roots in many spiritual traditions. For example, Buddhism teaches that suffering comes from our attachments and desires. Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, spent years exploring various paths—severe asceticism, intense meditation, and studying under numerous teachers—yet he didn't find enlightenment until he abandoned all extremes and saw through the illusion of self.

Consider a real-life example: imagine a successful entrepreneur. They've got the car, the house, the accolades, and they meditate daily. On the surface, they seem to have it all together. But inside, they might still feel restless, constantly chasing the next big achievement. One day, they decide to volunteer at a local food bank, purely to give back without any expectation of return. Over time, they find a deeper sense of fulfillment in these selfless acts than they ever did in their business conquests. They've started letting go of their self-will, finding joy in serving others rather than in their own accomplishments.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? Start by examining your motivations. Are you meditating to show off how “spiritual” you are, or are you genuinely seeking inner peace? Are you making resolutions to prove something to yourself, or because you truly believe they will make you a better person? Try small acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. Practice humility. When you catch yourself seeking validation, gently steer your mind back to the present moment and focus on the act itself, not the recognition you might receive.

Here’s a relatable scenario: think about a time when you were organizing a surprise party for a friend. You went all out—decorations, food, inviting all the right people. The joy you felt when your friend walked in and saw everyone gathered was immense, wasn’t it? That’s because your focus was entirely on making someone else happy, not on how people would praise you for throwing such a great party. You experienced a moment of that “supreme, immortal joy” because you extinguished your self-will, even if just for a little while.

In essence, the path to true happiness and enlightenment is less about the external actions and more about the internal shift—moving from a self-centered approach to one that is selfless. It’s not an easy road, but it’s incredibly rewarding. So next time you find yourself caught up in rituals or resolutions, take a step back and ask yourself why. The answer might just lead you to that supreme joy you’ve been seeking.