Thanks for the interesting discussion girls I also wanted to raise (although some of you have covered it already a bit) how much we need our "stuff" to define who we are. How easily could we function with just the basics of food shelter transport (ie public transport) without feeling antsy? Can anyhow imagine that there would be a freedom in relinquishing all our stuff? Has anyone ever secretly hoped that their house would burn down so that they could be freed of the weight/burden of everything... and see how they feel about the person that is left standing with just their clothes? (I have). Ok, so if that idea definitely DOESN'T appeal to you do you think that it would never-the-less be good for you? (maybe like a dose of yukky tasting medicine) Or is having stuff or not neutral in terms of how you feel you can grow as a person? Are you a better or worse person for all your stuff and your ability to accumulate it? I'm not really talking about necessities... ok so everyone needs at least 1 set of shoes .. but how damaging is it to say, own 100 sets? or is this of no consequence to a persons character? I guess what I mean is: is there any benefit of frugality? Does the notion of only taking what you need appeal to you? Or is it of no consequence if people take more than what they need? How would our communities change if people focussed more on the kind of people they were instead of furnishing lives so that everyone can defined by their possessions. Would living in such a society be unbearable for you? Or could you see yourself adapting? I'm not saying that materialism/private ownership would be banned... I'm not talking Communism here... but what if society just naturally started to change toward a preference to less-is-more? Would you buck the trend or fit right in?
The reason I popped this in the spiritual forum is because I guess I'm hoping that the discussion will lean toward how this all relates to our growth or retardation of our spirit. I know I've asked heaps of questions.... no need to answer them all... just whatever you feel you'd like to respond to.
I also wanted to raise (although some of you have covered it already a bit) how much we need our "stuff" to define who we are. How easily could we function with just the basics of food shelter transport (ie public transport) without feeling antsy? Can anyhow imagine that there would be a freedom in relinquishing all our stuff? Has anyone ever secretly hoped that their house would burn down so that they could be freed of the weight/burden of everything... and see how they feel about the person that is left standing with just their clothes? (I have). Ok, so if that idea definitely DOESN'T appeal to you do you think that it would never-the-less be good for you? (maybe like a dose of yukky tasting medicine) Or is having stuff or not neutral in terms of how you feel you can grow as a person? Are you a better or worse person for all your stuff and your ability to accumulate it? I'm not really talking about necessities... ok so everyone needs at least 1 set of shoes .. but how damaging is it to say, own 100 sets? or is this of no consequence to a persons character? I guess what I mean is: is there any benefit of frugality? Does the notion of only taking what you need appeal to you? Or is it of no consequence if people take more than what they need? How would our communities change if people focussed more on the kind of people they were instead of furnishing lives so that everyone can defined by their possessions. Would living in such a society be unbearable for you? Or could you see yourself adapting? I'm not saying that materialism/private ownership would be banned... I'm not talking Communism here... but what if society just naturally started to change toward a preference to less-is-more? Would you buck the trend or fit right in?
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