Jasmine had always been a confident and ambitious young woman, but in recent years, her self-assurance has morphed into something akin to pure egotism. It all started when she became immersed in the alluring world of social media, constantly comparing herself to the seemingly perfect lives portrayed by her peers online.
As Jasmine meticulously curated her own social media presence, posting carefully edited photos and boasting about her accomplishments, she became increasingly obsessed with quantifying her self-worth through the validation of likes, comments, and followers. The digital realm had become her primary source of affirmation, and the number of people who “approved” her online persona started to feel like the most important measure of her value as a person.
Jasmine’s friends and family noticed a marked change in her personality. She had become more self-absorbed, constantly talking about herself and her social media exploits. She would get defensive and dismissive whenever anyone dared to question or critique her online persona, as if it were a personal attack on her very identity.
Jasmine’s boyfriend, Tom, tried to broach the subject with her, gently expressing his concerns about the way her social media usage had become an all-consuming obsession. But Jasmine would have none of it, insisting that he “just didn’t understand” the importance of maintaining a strong online presence in today’s digital landscape.
Subitism
One day, as Jasmine was scrolling mindlessly through her Instagram feed, a post from a local charity organization caught her eye. They were seeking volunteers to help serve meals at a soup kitchen for the homeless. Jasmine felt a pang of guilt as she realized how caught up she had become in her little bubble of vanity and self-absorption. Maybe this was an opportunity to do something meaningful and gain some much-needed perspective.
Jasmine signed up to volunteer, not knowing what to expect. When she arrived at the soup kitchen the following weekend, she was struck by the stark contrast between her own privileged life and the grim realities faced by the people she was there to serve. Many of them looked weathered and weary, their eyes carrying a deep sadness that Jasmine had never truly witnessed up close before.
As Jasmine dished out plates of hot food and listened to the stories of the men and women in line, something profound began to shift inside her. She felt a deep sense of humility and gratitude for the simple things in life that she had always taken for granted — a warm meal, a clean bed, the security of a roof over her head. These people, despite their dire circumstances, exuded a certain quiet dignity and resilience that Jasmine found deeply inspiring.
Over the course of her volunteer work, Jasmine started to let go of her ego and open her heart to the experiences of others. She stopped caring as much about her social media presence and instead focused on being present and engaged at the moment. The more time she spent with the less fortunate, the more she realized how her obsession with status and material possessions had been a hollow and ultimately unfulfilling pursuit.
Third-eye
One afternoon, as Jasmine was serving food, she struck up a conversation with an elderly man named George. He had been living on the streets for years, but his eyes still held a spark of life and wisdom. As they talked, George shared his philosophy on life and how he had learned to find joy and contentment in the simple things.
“You know, my dear,” George said, his voice tinged with the weariness of experience, “the key to happiness isn’t in chasing after status or material wealth. It is in learning to let go of your attachment to those things. When you’re not constantly grasping for more, you open yourself up to truly appreciate the beauty all around you.”
Jasmine listened intently, her heart swelling with a sense of recognition. This was the wisdom she had been searching for all along, buried beneath the layers of ego and self-absorption that social media had cultivated within her.
“But how do you do it?” Jasmine asked, her brow furrowed with sincere curiosity. “How do you let go of that attachment?”
George smiled warmly, his weathered face creasing into a gentle expression. “It’s all about cultivating gratitude and compassion, my dear. When you focus on what you have rather than what you lack, and when you open your heart to the suffering of others, you start to see the world in a whole new light. You realize that your problems and insecurities pale in comparison to what many people are facing every day.”
Jasmine nodded, feeling a profound shift within herself. She had spent so much time and energy trying to build up her ego and project a certain image to the world, when all along, the path to true fulfilment lay in the opposite direction — in humility, empathy, and a deep appreciation for the simple joys of life.
Transmogrification
From that day on, Jasmine made a conscious effort to incorporate more acts of kindness and gratitude into her daily routine. She started volunteering at the soup kitchen regularly, and she made it a point to express genuine appreciation to the people in her life, both online and offline.
As Jasmine’s focus shifted away from herself and towards the needs of others, she noticed a remarkable change in her mindset and emotional well-being. The constant need for validation from social media began to fade, and she found herself feeling more content and grounded in the present moment.
One particularly meaningful experience happened when Jasmine decided to organize a small donation drive for the soup kitchen. She reached out to her social media followers, not to boast about her good deeds but to genuinely appeal for their help in supporting the local homeless community. To her surprise, the response was overwhelmingly positive, and she was able to collect a substantial amount of food, clothing, and other essential items for the soup kitchen.
As Jasmine delivered the donations, she was struck by the genuine gratitude and joy on the faces of the recipients. It was a far cry from the superficial praise and validation she had grown accustomed to on social media. At that moment, Jasmine realized that true fulfilment comes not from external validation but from the deep well of contentment that arises when we connect with others in a spirit of compassion and service.
Slowly but surely, Jasmine’s ego began to dissolve, replaced by a sense of humility and a deeper understanding of her place in the world. She no longer defined herself by the number of likes or followers she had, but by the positive impact she could have on those around her.
The journey was not always easy, and Jasmine still had moments where she struggled with the lingering effects of her social media-fueled ego. But with the support of her newfound community at the soup kitchen and the wisdom imparted by people like George, she was able to overcome her attachment to external validation and find a more authentic and fulfilling path.
In her moments of self-reflection, Jasmine likened her experience to the Buddhist concept of “non-attachment.” Just as the Zen masters had long taught, she realized that true freedom and happiness could only be found by letting go of the ego’s constant craving for approval and status. It was a profound realization, one that resonated with the ancient teachings she had read about but never truly understood until now.
Revolve to evolve; to not devolve
One day, as Jasmine was serving meals, she noticed a young woman in line who seemed particularly downtrodden. Summoning her newfound empathy, Jasmine approached her and asked if she was alright. The woman, whose name was Lily, opened up about the struggles she had been facing — an abusive relationship, job loss, and homelessness.
Jasmine listened intently, her heart aching for Lily’s plight. Without hesitation, she offered Lily a warm meal, a listening ear, and a word of encouragement. In that moment, Jasmine realized that the true power of compassion lay not in grand gestures but in the simple act of being present and truly seeing the humanity in another person.
As Lily’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude, Jasmine felt a profound sense of connection and purpose. This was the true essence of what it meant to live a meaningful life — not in the empty pursuit of likes and followers, but in the genuine act of reaching out and uplifting those in need.
From that day on, Jasmine made it a point to approach each interaction, both online and off, with a renewed sense of mindfulness and empathy. She began to share her journey of transformation on social media, not to seek validation but to inspire and empower others who might be trapped in the same cycle of ego-driven self-absorption.
Jasmine’s story serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of practising gratitude, compassion, and non-attachment. Through her volunteer work and the wisdom imparted by the likes of George, she was able to transcend the limitations of her ego and tap into a deeper well of joy and contentment.
Odyssey
Today, Jasmine looks back on her social media-fueled ego phase with a sense of profound gratitude and self-awareness. She knows that her journey of redemption has not only transformed her own life but has the potential to inspire others who may be caught in the same cycle of vanity and self-absorption.
Jasmine’s odyssey from ego to enlightenment is a reminder that true fulfilment is not found in the ephemeral praise of strangers but in the profound joy that arises when we open our hearts to the shared human experience and embrace the philosophy of acceptance that transcends the attachments that so often imprison us.
Through her story, Jasmine hopes to encourage others to step off the digital treadmill of self-validation and embrace a more mindful, compassionate, and grounded way of being. In the end, it is not the number of likes that defines us, but the ripples of kindness and connection we leave in our wake.
