The Game of Self-Awareness: A Journey Inward

In Hindu philosophy, there is a concept called Svadhyaya self-study. It teaches that the real journey isn’t outward, chasing external success, but inward, seeking self-awareness. It’s about tuning out the noise Instagram’s highlight reels, the motivational speakers who shout about “hustle,” the voices of parents or society telling you what success looks like. Instead, it’s about tuning in to that quiet yet persistent question:

“How do you feel inside?”

This is the only question that truly matters. Everything else job titles, career paths, entrepreneurial dreams is just the scenery along the road.

The First Principles of Your Path

Imagine you’re lost in a dense forest. Instead of asking, “Should I go left or right?” the real question is, “Where am I trying to go?” The problem isn’t which road to take it’s knowing your destination.

When it comes to your career, don’t get trapped in the false choice of 9-to-5 vs. Being your own boss . These are just different roads. The real work is understanding what makes your journey fulfilling.

Write down the core components that make you feel alive:

Challenge Does pushing yourself bring you energy? Freedom Do you thrive with autonomy, or do you need structure? Growth Are you seeking mastery or stability? Community Do you crave collaboration or solitude? Meaning What kind of work gives you a sense of purpose?

These are your North Star. Once you know these, you can shape your life around them whether inside a company or outside of one.

The Real Risk: The Wrong Destination

In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna stands on the battlefield, paralyzed by doubt. Krishna tells him:

“It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of someone else’s life with perfection.”

The real risk in life isn’t choosing the wrong career path; it’s living a life that isn’t yours. It’s reaching a peak only to realize it was the wrong mountain.

So, stop asking people for their opinions. Nobody else can see your inner world. Stop following the well-worn paths just because they’re familiar. Instead, listen. Pay attention to the signals inside you.

The game isn’t about success. It’s about awareness. If you win that, everything else will follow.