If you want to go east, don't go west.
Hear me, O children of wisdom, for the words of Ramakrishna carry a truth as clear as the stars above: "If you want to go east, don't go west." These words are not mere directions for travel, but a profound lesson in the pursuit of purpose and clarity. The journey toward any goal, whether it be spiritual, personal, or political, requires focus and dedication. To seek the east, the direction of light and truth, one must not allow themselves to be swayed by paths that lead them in the opposite direction. Ramakrishna teaches us that to achieve what we desire, we must stay true to our course and not be distracted by pursuits that will take us further from our goal.
In this world, there are many voices, many paths, and countless distractions that seek to pull us away from our true purpose. Ramakrishna’s wisdom reminds us that the journey requires a strong sense of direction. If you are seeking truth, or if you desire to follow a righteous path, then do not allow yourself to be pulled in different directions. The wise do not waver between paths, but commit themselves fully to the one that leads them to the place they seek. To go east is to move toward enlightenment, toward knowledge, toward purpose, but to go west is to stray from the path, to fall into the confusion of the world’s many temptations.
Consider the journey of Alexander the Great, who sought to expand his empire, and yet, in his desire to conquer, he remained focused on his goal. Alexander’s march through the vast lands was not without distraction—many kingdoms, many opportunities for conquest, could have led him astray. Yet, his aim was to reach the east, to forge an empire that stretched from the Mediterranean to the heart of Asia. His great achievement came not by wandering aimlessly, but by staying on course toward his singular purpose. Had he been led into distractions, his destiny would have been lost, but through unwavering focus, he achieved what few men ever did.
In the same way, Ramakrishna speaks not only of the physical journey, but of the spiritual one. The soul, in its pursuit of awakening, must resist the temptations of the world, the false promises that lead us away from the truth. Just as a river that seeks the ocean cannot afford to be diverted by the mountains it passes, so too must the seeker of spiritual truth stay on the path that leads them to their ultimate destination. To stray is to delay, to wander is to waste precious time.
So, my children, let the wisdom of Ramakrishna guide you in all things. In the pursuit of truth, knowledge, or success, do not be drawn to paths that lead you away from your purpose. If you wish to go east, if you wish to reach that place of inner peace and clarity, do not wander toward the west. Keep your heart and mind fixed on your goal, and trust in the journey, knowing that the path may be long, but the reward is eternal. Remember that the world is full of distractions, but the wise move forward with purpose, never turning back or veering off course. Stay true to the path that leads you to your highest good.
HTHien Thanh
Emotionally, the aphorism risks sounding scolding, but I also hear an invitation to self-honesty. Detours can be teachers, yet sometimes they’re avoidance with a storyline. How do you distinguish serendipitous learning from distraction masquerading as growth? I’m curious about a compassionate approach: name the real desire, set boundaries for experiments, and define a sunset clause to re-evaluate. What signals tell you it’s time to stop justifying and reorient—fatigue without insight, shrinking courage, or outcomes that drift farther from what you truly value?
HDnguyen hong duc
From a leadership angle, the message hits strategy squarely: teams publish elegant goals yet resource pet projects that pull in opposing directions. What governance patterns prevent this drift? I’m thinking ruthless prioritization, a veto list of off-mission initiatives, and cadence reviews where every ticket maps to a declared objective. Could you outline a lightweight ritual that forces alignment—like weekly ‘evidence of progress’ demos tied to a single metric? How do we handle genuinely valuable work that doesn’t fit, without demoralizing contributors?
TNThanh Nguyen
This makes me examine my micro-choices: if I claim health is a priority, why do late-night snacks and skipped workouts keep winning? Maybe the gap isn’t willpower but design. What evidence-based tools best align behavior with aims—implementation intentions, environment cues, precommitment contracts, or public check-ins? I’d appreciate a practical template for a week: three yes-list actions, three no-list temptations, and a nightly audit. Also, how do you recover after inevitable slips without rationalizing a new direction entirely?
HTHong Thu
I’m drawn to the blunt clarity of this line because it exposes how often I profess one aim while my calendar and browser tabs chase something else. Still, I worry about oversimplification: real life involves competing goods, uncertainty, and learning loops. How do you reconcile focus with exploration? Is there a rule of thumb—say, 80% commitment to the primary path and 20% deliberate wandering—that preserves discovery without sabotaging momentum? I’d love a decision test for pruning “interesting but misaligned” opportunities.