Why Dreams Don’t Always Come True – The Unseen Truth
Have you ever sat down and asked yourself, "Why don’t the things I wish for come true?" You’ve imagined a beautiful life, the perfect job, the right partner, or maybe even wished for peace and happiness but life doesn’t always deliver what we want. The truth is, this isn’t bad luck or karma punishing you. It’s simply the nature of life itself. The Buddha gave us deep insight into this through a powerful teaching: "Cinti tampi vinassati, acinti tampi bhavati" even what we imagine can be destroyed, and what we never expected can arise.
Let’s dive into this truth step-by-step, in a simple and human way. You don’t need to be a monk or a philosopher to understand this. You just need to be you, curious and open to seeing life differently.
What Does “Cinti Tampi Vinassati, Acinti Tampi Bhavati” Mean?
This ancient Pali phrase is a gem from the Dhamma. It means:
“Even what we think about (wish for) may perish, and even what we don’t think of (never imagined) may arise.”
We often live in the illusion that if we plan everything right, if we wish really hard, or pray deeply, everything will turn out the way we want. But reality doesn’t work like that. Why?
Because everything is under Anicca (Impermanence), Dukkha (Unsatisfactoriness), and most importantly—Anatta (Not-Self or Not in Control).
The Hard Truth—We Are Not In Control
From the moment we are born, we try to control things our body, our future, our relationships, even our emotions. But have you noticed that the more we try to control life, the more it slips away?
We want only beauty, only pleasure, only joy. But our eyes don’t see only beauty. Our ears don’t hear only pleasant sounds. Our tongue doesn’t taste only sweetness. Our mind doesn’t think only good thoughts. Why is that?
It’s because even our six senses (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind) are not fully under our command. We grow old even when we don’t want to. We feel sadness even when we crave happiness. This is the reality of Anatta nothing truly belongs to us.
The Example of the Eyes – Why You Can’t Just See What You Want
When you’re young, your eyes are sharp. You see vibrant colors and the world looks beautiful. But over time, vision fades. Do you think anyone wishes to go blind or wear glasses? Of course not. Yet it happens. Can anyone stop it? No. That’s impermanence. That’s Anatta.
Our senses serve us, but they also betray us. The same applies to all aspects of life.
Your Mind Is a Monkey – It Doesn’t Obey You
We all want our mind to be calm, peaceful, and pure. But out of nowhere, unwholesome thoughts arise. Anger, jealousy, lust, fear none of us choose these. They just appear.
And that’s the scary truth: You don’t even have full control over your own thoughts. So how can you expect to control the world around you?
The Problem With Wishing – Are You Fighting Nature?
Let’s face it: most of the time, we wish for things based on craving. We want life to match our desires.
You might wish for a son but have a daughter. You might dream of being an engineer but become an artist. You might expect to marry someone and end up alone. Haven’t you seen this pattern in others or even in your own life?
Wishing is not wrong. But expecting those wishes to always come true is where the suffering begins.
The Nature of Dukkha – Why Life Is Sometimes Painful
The Buddha taught that everything that arises eventually falls away. That’s the law of impermanence.
-
Youth fades.
-
Wealth disappears.
-
Health breaks down.
-
Relationships change.
-
Emotions come and go.
And through all this, we suffer. But not because life is cruel. We suffer because we expect things to stay the same.
Anatta – The Heart of Understanding Why Wishes Fail
Anatta means "not-self"—not in our control. We think we own our body, our mind, our feelings, our future. But none of these are truly ours.
Just like you can’t command the clouds to stop raining or the sun to shine at will, you can’t command life to obey your personal Wishlist.
Real Life Stories That Prove the Truth
Think of someone who tried everything to become a doctor but ended up a successful musician. Or someone who avoided children but later became a loving parent. Life has its own flow. Trying to force it into your box of expectations only leads to disappointment.
So What’s the Solution? Let Go and Understand
Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means understanding reality and making peace with it.
If you know a flower will fade, you enjoy it while it lasts. You don’t cry when it wilts. That’s wisdom.
The same applies to your life. Appreciate what is, without clinging to what you wish it to be.
Don’t Compare – Just Observe Your Own Life
Don’t look at others and say, “They got what they wanted.” You don’t know the full story.
Instead, reflect on your own past:
-
How many things turned out differently than you expected?
-
How many so-called "failures" brought unexpected blessings?
This is Acinti tampi bhavati—what you didn’t imagine can arise.
Dhamma Is the Guide to Peace
The Supreme Buddha didn’t just explain suffering He explained the way out of it.
By understanding impermanence, suffering, and non-self, we begin to walk the path of wisdom. We stop clinging, stop craving, and start observing.
And with that real peace begins.
Allocate Time to Contemplate Dhamma
In today’s fast world, we rarely pause. But even 10 minutes a day of Dhamma reflection can change your mind.
-
Sit silently.
-
Breathe.
-
Observe your thoughts.
-
Reflect on the truth of Anicca, Dukkha, and Anatta.
This small act will make a big difference in how you handle life’s ups and downs.
Let Go of the Illusion of Forever
Nothing in this world stays. Not your parents, not your children, not your wealth, not even your body.
Trying to hold on to these forever is like trying to hold water in your hand it slips away.
Accepting this is not sadness it’s liberation.
Conclusion: Embrace the Dhamma, Let Go of Suffering
Wishes are like clouds they come and go. But the sky of truth remains. That truth is:
-
Life is not fully under our control.
-
Everything is changing.
-
Expecting permanence causes suffering.
When we understand this, we stop blaming ourselves, others, or life. We find freedom.
So next time your wish doesn’t come true, don’t despair. Smile gently and say, “Ah, this too is part of nature.” Because now you know the deeper truth.
FAQs
1. Why don’t my wishes come true even when I try hard?
Because reality is governed by natural laws, not personal desires. Effort matters, but it doesn’t guarantee specific results due to Anatta.
2. What did Buddha say about expecting too much?
He taught that expectations lead to suffering. The less we crave, the more we find peace.
3. How do I accept things I don’t like?
Through understanding impermanence and reflecting on Dhamma. Acceptance comes from wisdom, not weakness.
4. Is wishing bad in Buddhism?
No, wishing is natural. But clinging to those wishes and expecting them to manifest always is where suffering begins.
5. How can I find peace when life is so unpredictable?
By observing, understanding, and letting go of control. Peace arises when we live with mindfulness and wisdom.
0 Comments