from Verse Thirty-ThreeRank, power, and wealth are things people crave, but when compared to the body they are insignificant. Therefore sages eat enough to fill the emptiness and maintain energy, and dress sufficiently to cover their bodies and keep out the cold. They adjust to their real conditions and refuse the rest, not craving gain and not accumulating much.~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~
When we see someone near death who has spent a lifetime hoarding possessions, it's not uncommon to say, "Hey, you can't take it with you!"I suspect that the truth of the matter is that almost everything and anything we collect in this life -- material possessions, fame or status, power, influence, love, hate and self-consciousness -- aren't going to be transferred to the next phase. So, what use is it to hoard anything? What does it really get any of us?
If you think about it, all hoarding does is to weigh us down. It generates tension and stress because it rests heavy on the mind and body. It generates even more stress and tension because we're always adding to it and then we must protect all this crap we have, lest we lose it and have to start collecting it all over again.
Those who travel lightly, travel with ease.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
After being reduced - once - to owning nothing but a pair of torn underpants, via a shipwreck, I remember it being a period of utter freedom. (Once I had got over the shock, of course.)
ReplyDeleteIt re-arranged and forever changed my life. There's a lot to be said in favour of dispossession.
On the one hand, I think your comment here has great merit. On the other hand, it seems to fly in the face of the comment you left for Wen Tzu - Verse 33, Part II. But maybe that's just me. ; )
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