An Expose on Greed

Of all the things that come from fear, surely greed must be the worst. This nonsensical belief that people, objects, the environment stand at our disposal so that we might "gain" is utterly astounding.

What do you get for it? What do you get for all you've gained through a greed-powered and greed-directed life? You may surround yourself with material wealth but what is material wealth without compassion? You may surround yourself with precious objects, but of what value are precious objects if you cannot recognize preciousness in all living creatures - humans included? You may surround yourself with every luxury in the world, but there no luxury anywhere that matches tenderness of heart.

You can gather and hold and collect and keep and keep on gaining and gaining and gaining but it doesn't make you a better person. When you lie on your deathbed do you think that final movie is going to be counting your amassed riches? I don't think so. That final movie will be filled with the scenes recounting every opportunity you had to live, to love, to give, every kindness, every human connection, every piece of goodness. That movie is about how you have lived your own personal greatness, not how much wealth you have accumulated.

It's all good and well to be comfortable, but life requires, life demands balance. What you give comes back, what you take is taken. Life is that way. You may be amassing a fortune, but what are you losing? When you lose your heart and your soul, of what use is the fortune? It can never fill that emptiness. Taking your comfort at the cost of someone else will never be true comfort. Raping the land and treating it like it owes you something, treating animals as if they were a disposable commodity only creates an imbalance that is not easily overcome. When we take from the land, we have to give back. If we take animals, we have to give back in some measure.

It's just this simple: Balance is required, or life isn't possible. Somehow greed overlooks this rule, but that doesn't mean the rule isn't there and operating. Greed will never, ever win, it can't. Because it leaves desolation in its place and at some point, when there is nothing left to destroy, it annihilates itself. Sad. But true.

We direct these things. Greed is based on the premise that products will be consumed and that's where we have the most incredible power. If you don't agree with what's going on - start making choices that do not support concerns that operate on the premise of greed. There really is power in numbers and there is incredible power in personal choice. It may not be easy, but it is that simple.


Blessings.
- Darshan




© 2010 Darshan F Jessop