The world around us is transforming at an astonishing pace. Transportation has evolved from slow, horse-drawn carriages to electric cars and planes that connect continents in mere hours. Technology too has leaped forward—smartphones now hold the power of what once required an entire room of computers.
Yet, while the external world races ahead, what about us as human beings? Yes, we acquire new skills, amass knowledge, and adapt to advancements. But does this signify a fundamental evolution within us? Is there truly a deeper transformation—a psychological or inward evolution—or is the entire notion of “becoming something better” an illusion?
Let’s delve into this together.
The Quest for Becoming
When we think about evolution, we often assume a sense of progress—a movement from “what is” toward “what could be.” Just as cars and airplanes have improved over time, we assume that humans, too, are evolving inwardly: becoming wiser, more compassionate, more enlightened.
But what drives this need to “become”? Often, it stems from a feeling of incompleteness. We say to ourselves, “I am not enough as I am, but if I work hard, achieve success, or follow a particular philosophy, I will one day become better.”
However, is this movement toward becoming real, or is it a fiction we create?
Why the Movement of Becoming Is an Illusion
Let’s consider this carefully. When you strive to become something—say, more confident or spiritually advanced—what is the engine driving that process? It’s thought. And thought, by its very nature, is rooted in the past: it is shaped by memories, experiences, and cultural conditioning.
If thought is limited to what it already knows, how can it create something genuinely new? It can project an image of an ideal future, but that ideal is just another product of the same conditioned mind. This means the entire process of becoming is circular—a pursuit of something imagined, rather than a transformation of what is.
The Role of Identification
One way we try to feel a sense of progress or strength is by identifying ourselves with something larger—something that appears grander than our individual selves. For example:
Nationalism: We align ourselves with the achievements of a country, believing its power or progress reflects our own.
Organizations: Whether religious, political, or professional, joining groups gives us a sense of belonging and importance.
Technological Progress: We take pride in humanity’s advancements, as though they signify an evolution of who we are as people.
Spiritual Attainment: We might associate with a particular philosophy or guru, hoping that by following their path, we too will “evolve.”
This identification creates a false sense of becoming. The self gains strength by associating with these external markers, but this strength is illusionary—it is borrowed, not intrinsic.
Consequences of Living in the Illusion of Becoming
When we believe in the idea of psychological evolution or becoming, it deeply impacts how we live and interact with others:
1. Inner Conflict: The gap between “what is” and “what should be” creates constant tension. We feel dissatisfied with the present, chasing an imagined future.
2. Superficial Relationships: Our relationships often hinge on appearances or roles. For instance, we admire people who project strength or success, but we rarely question the authenticity of their image.
3. Judgment and Division: We judge ourselves and others based on ideals, creating division. For example, we might look down on someone who doesn’t conform to societal standards or idolize someone who appears to embody them.
4. Irrational Behavior: To fulfill the illusion of becoming, people resort to extreme measures—plastic surgeries to appear younger, ruthless competition at work to achieve status, or aligning with ideologies to feel superior.
These patterns are not evidence of inward evolution but of a mind trapped in conflict and illusion.
Examples from Society
The beauty industry offers a stark example. Every year, billions are spent on cosmetics, surgeries, and treatments—all in pursuit of an ideal appearance. Why? Because society conditions us to believe that who we are isn’t enough.
Political leaders often amplify this illusion. They project images of strength, wisdom, or compassion, carefully crafted to gain public approval. But beneath the surface, how often do we find the same insecurities and ambitions that exist in all of us?
Even in spiritual contexts, the promise of “attaining enlightenment” often becomes another goal to chase. Followers compare themselves to others, striving to “become” more evolved, rather than understanding their present state.
Reality vs. Fiction
The movement of becoming creates a division between reality and fiction. Reality is what we are right now—our thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the present moment. Fiction is the idealized version of ourselves we imagine—a projection created by thought.
When we live in this fiction, we neglect to understand the truth of who we are. And without understanding what is, how can there ever be real transformation?
An Invitation to Question
So, let us ask: is there truly an evolution of the human psyche? Or is this movement of becoming a mirage—a chase that leads nowhere?
What happens when we stop striving to become and instead turn our attention to observing what we are? Can we understand ourselves, not through comparison or judgment, but by seeing clearly and directly?
Perhaps the real transformation does not lie in becoming something else but in fully understanding what we are, here and now. Only in that understanding, free from the illusion of becoming, might we find clarity and peace.