At different stages of life, one always encounters a spiritual philosopher uniquely their own.

An elder once told me: If a person lives with enough sincerity and enough clarity, they will likely meet three thinkers in sequence along life's path—first Nietzsche, then Camus, and finally Siddhartha. At some point in your journey, you will become like them, tightly wrapped in the core of their spirit. This is a spiritual rite of passage that belongs solely to yourself, and no one can go through it for you.

Nietzsche is the breaker—with fury, he overturns established external rules and breaks free from worldly shackles.

Camus is the participant—calmly accepting the absurdity of the world, he strides forward to personally anchor meaning for life through action.

Siddhartha is the dream-returner—ultimately letting go of attachments, he blends gently with heaven, earth, and all things.

Fate is truly wondrous. When I first heard these words, the philosopher I admired most was Nietzsche. But now, at this stage of life, my heart leans most toward Camus. I wonder, as time flows on, whether fate will add another stroke, allowing me in the years ahead to understand and fall in love with Siddhartha.