your thoughts on materialism??

[kakkarot]

1) why deal with them? are we meant to change everyone we meet so that they become us? i hardly think so. just treat them the same as you would anyone else. if you don't care about things, why should others not care about them? just do what you do.

2) you get lots of cool toys to play with!  :p

~kakkarot

Secret of Secrets

[justinh]

kakkarot:

quote:
1) why deal with them? are we meant to change everyone we meet so that they become us? i hardly think so. just treat them the same as you would anyone else. if you don't care about things, why should others not care about them? just do what you do.

I agree with this.  I am not attempting to convert anyone, really.  My concern was more of what happens when it comes to people who do nice things for others only if they are expecting a return on the investment, so to speak.  I guess we all do that to some degree, though?

Question number two was really asked because I was simply curious if anyone else has gone through this phase.  Some people I have spoken to feel that getting rid of material posessions is a sign of depression and possible suicide.  I guess the mentality was that "nothing has any worth" or "nothing has any meaning." I know that's not the case with me.  I am just trying to trim away the excess stuff that I no longer want and no longer use.

So, I guess I can see how in some cases, materialistic gain could keep someone mentally healthy, perhaps.

Thanks,
Justin

[alpha]

"all the things you own end up owning you"

You really think its their fault they are like that?We are living in a materialistic world.See them for who they really are.Scratch out all those little things.They are just like you and me.Only they got caught up in what the world thinks life is about.

                                                                                   PEACE!

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"WAKE UP!WAKEUP!WAKE UP AND LOOK AROUND YOU!WERE LOST IN SPACE AND THE TIME IS OUR HOME"
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[Tom]

Recently I started reading Ayn Rand's book "Atlas Shrugged". Some of the characters are very materialistic and proud of it. Most claim to be so unselfish as to be superior to anyone who acts for profit. An example of the materialism in this book is a factory owner who invents a new alloy. He spent ten years developing the formula for nothing but enormous profit and for the joy of seeing his new alloy everywhere, made into various products. While running this factory, he had jobs for hundreds of people who could them buy food, clothes, shelter, and other sorts of things that are helpful to people who want to develop their minds and spirits. It also helped other companies to stay in business who were able to buy the new metal and make things with it. The materialists were the great leaders in the book, while the ones who thought themselves very spiritual were busy making new laws which shut down businesses and put most people out of work. I'll know more when I finish reading it.

The base chakra is called the base chakra because it supports the other six main chakras. Its element is earth and its color is red. It is very materialistic. It also houses dormant kundalini energy. People who are trapped by their possessions and people who refuse to have possessions both have base chakra imbalances. It is just a question of what form the imbalance takes. Some people have trouble even owning their physical bodies well.

[alpha]

great stuff tom,
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Everytime I find myself suffering over a material object,I always remind myself that its not worth it.I use to get very upset when my things break.Especially expensive stuff.It still bothers me a little.But before it would ruin my whole day and sometimes someone elses. If I keep telling myself.Those things dont really matter at all.And no matter how much they cost.They are really  worthless, being in pain for them  is useless.I will just snap out of it now.








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"WAKE UP!WAKEUP!WAKE UP AND LOOK AROUND YOU!WERE LOST IN SPACE AND THE TIME IS OUR HOME"
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[Clarine]

Hi everyone,

Well, material things are definetly a big part of our modern lives.  But are we able to live with all these things and have time to develop our insides, our minds ?

I think this is a question of priority.  Some people like to watch tv all day to be happy, some like to go out and spend money in stores and cinemas.  Some like to play Bingo.  

Are they necessarely unhappy ?

I don't think so.

Only happiness counts.  Maybe something (like having spiritual experiences) is very important and good for someone, but it must be bored for someone else.

The most important thing is trying to accept the priorities of the ones we love and live with their reality, even if we disagree with that.  Sometimes, it's difficult, but that's the way.

Clarine xxx

[Atlas]

>>Only happiness counts. Maybe something (like having spiritual experiences) is very important and good for someone, but it must be bored for someone else.

The most important thing is trying to accept the priorities of the ones we love and live with their reality, even if we disagree with that. Sometimes, it's difficult, but that's the way.<<

Hi Clarine.

I think this is a very good point you've made. A lot of times, when I see people talk about materialism(ists), or consumerism(ists), or whatever, I can feel the arrogance in their words, as they look down distastefully at these lower life forms

No one knows what will make anyone else happy. You only know what will make YOU happy. Some will gain happiness living like mother teresa, some will be happy with their doors and windows shut never speaking with anyone, and some will be happy living in some kind of hedonistic paradise of money and sex. I think it's wrong to pass judgment on anyone setting their own goals and achieving their own ideas of happiness, no matter how much you disagree, as long as they are not hurting anyone else in the process.

Cya!

Atlas

[Ashfo]

You can be rich but not materialistic.

I know a person who earns in excess of $10m a year and you would never know.. he has no walls, he has not alienated himself.. however I do agree it is a fair generalisation to make that the richer you become the more you alienate yourself.

As to the why.... well, I enjoy skiing.... With more money I could have more overseas trips... I enjoy music, I can buy better components... I enjoy helping charities etc....

- Ashfo

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"You are First Cause. You are a portion of the great energy. And you, yourselves are thought manifestations of what you think you are."
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[rodentmouse]

"man should focus on what has been made for him, not what he has made"

[Atlas]

>>"man should focus on what has been made for him, not what he has made"<<

Who said this? What does it mean? I should focus on trees and not man-made cures for diseases?

Atlas

[rodentmouse]

i think  it means  that we should focus more on nature and our mind and soul than we should on flash cars and big houses.....   Mankinds hierarchy of importance is a little topsy-turvy   with  our feats at the top,  and nature at the bottom.

[justinh]

Today I was driving home, and passed by a very nice home surrounded by a large metal fence and gate.  It had some kind of scarecrow-type people inside on the front lawn.  When I looked closer, I think it was actually intended to look like guards holding guns, I think.  I was shocked to see this.  Kinda like convenience stores that have that fake cop cutout.

Anyway, I think it is very sad, but the more these people have tried to liberate themselves with their hard work and money, the more they have been trapped in their lifestyle behind walls and protective devices, alienated and very hostile-appearing to the average passerby.

I would much prefer a life where I live freely in the open and give love and receive love from all.  There is nothing to be taken from you when you live without material concerns and have only love to give.  You have nothing to fear from others, and nothing to protect.  Your walls come down.

My friends often make fun of the way I might throw away something perfectly good, yet it holds no attachment to me so I discard it.  It seems perfectly natural to eliminate any extraneous things in my life.  Anyway, there are lots who are so consumed by materialistic gain that I pose these questions:

1)  How does one deal with these kinds of materialistic people?
Example - I went to a friend's house.  I brought over a music CD for him to hear and he had a new PC game I hadn't played.  I gave him the CD wanting him to hear it and he showed me the game.  Anyway, his comment was something like "cool, since you brought that CD we can just trade" or something to that effect.

My initial response was just "sure", but upon later inspection, I realized what I probably should have said was "Well if that is how you see it.  I prefer to think of it as me giving you a gift, and you giving me a gift."

I question peoples' motives when they are keeping those kinds of mental tallies of favors and trades like that.  Perhaps there was no harm meant by it.

2)  Are there any advantages to materialism?  Can anyone offer up anything in the defense of a materialistic lifestyle?

Thanks,
Justin