Daily Meditation: Saturday, August 28, 2010

Possessions, material - do not bring happiness

08/28/2010

So much of the suffering that humans complain of comes from the fact that they would like to take over what belongs to others: objects, land, men, women, situations, and so on. And, of course, they take it out on other people they see as standing in the way of their greed and ambitions. They will never be able to free themselves from their suffering, if they do not come to understand that they themselves are the cause of it. All humans will know this kind of suffering until they also understand that there is nothing they own or wish to own that can bring them real happiness. People suffer because they feel poor, or weak, or ill, or ignorant, or ugly or alone, but possessing wealth, power, health, knowledge or beauty and being surrounded by people has never stopped anyone from suffering. We can often be surprised, even, to discover what inner torments some men and women struggle with, when it seems they have everything they need to be happy. Yes, they have everything except what is essential: the need to live a spiritual life, which alone can bring true happiness.