Why Do the Wishes of the Mind Fail to Come True?

If there is this severe sense of self in the mind, then what one thinks of may not necessarily come true, and what one does not think of may not necessarily be avoided. What human beings do is often the very opposite of what they hope for. For example, everyone hopes for longevity, health, and happiness, yet what they create are things that make themselves not long-lived, not healthy, and not happy—such as killing living beings and eating meat. How could the result possibly be health, longevity, and happiness? Everyone wants to be free and at ease and attain liberation, yet they cling tightly to a self and refuse to let go. How could they possibly be free, at ease, and liberated?

Everyone hopes to be wealthy, prosperous, and successful, yet they always deliberately or unintentionally do things like stealing and robbing. How could they possibly become wealthy, prosperous, and successful? People always hope to be respected and valued by others, yet they are always arrogant, look down on others, and fail to respect others. How could they possibly gain the respect of others? People always want to have supreme power, yet they keep depriving others of their rights. How could they possibly possess power themselves?