Nowadays, you can go on YouTube and find millions of "gurus" talking about various topics—from how to get rich to the nature of reality, consciousness, psychology, and general health tips. The good news is that we now have a vast selection of teachers on one platform, offering diversity in teachings. Unlike in the past, we are not stuck with just one self-proclaimed master. If you don't like a teacher's approach, you can easily find another.
However, there is a problem: when we don’t yet understand the subject we are trying to learn, we are naive about selecting a teacher. How can a student be aware of whether or not the teacher is explaining the subject correctly? Popularity often dictates perceived value, which can be deceiving. For example, on Instagram, 350 million people follow Kim Kardashian, while only 2.5 million follow the Dalai Lama. This disparity indicates where society's awareness is currently focused—towards beauty, popularity, and wealth rather than deeper, philosophical insights.
This fascination with fame distracts individuals from personal growth, leading them to believe that emulating celebrities will fulfill their desires for prosperity and acceptance. Fame appears to be the ultimate validation, but no one ever found happiness in fame alone. Wealth may alleviate primal fears of insecurity, but character development and emotional management are still necessary. If money and fame were the solutions to end anxieties, every rich and famous person would be enlightened and content, which is not the case.
More effort should be placed on addressing the root causes of common suffering and teaching practical skills for personal development. Practical steps such as deep breathing, journaling, expressing feelings, connecting with nature, healthy eating, exercising, and overcoming addictions are essential for inner peace and growth. These practices help develop character, compassion, and mental organization.
Practical steps are crucial, not just philosophical theories or the fanaticism of adoring famous people. When we admire others excessively, we distract ourselves from our own journey. Some people find it intoxicating to live vicariously through famous figures, but ultimately, we must return to ourselves and learn to love and develop our inner world.
We need new life goals that lead to comfort and relaxation of the mind. The outside world may remain challenging, but our inner world can be peaceful with practice. This is the only philosophy worth pursuing: practical steps towards self-improvement rather than theoretical discussions. Genuine teachers should focus on practical advice and avoid fostering dependency on their fame. Beware of teachers who prioritize their popularity over your personal growth.
