“If one’s life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital: satisfaction with just enough food, clothing, and shelter to protect yourself from the elements.” -The Dalai Lama 1935
After considering keeping our Ford Fiesta, but never taking the listing off of Craigslist, we got a call yesterday that resulted in its sale! I immediately felt lighter and less burdened by the responsibility of owning that vehicle. It's a crazy feeling - one that I look forward to & value each time we dispossess something. I'm actually quite pleased that this feeling continues, and is heightened, by being less possessed. I certainly felt a wave of relief and satisfaction when we sold the house, but the feelings associated with living in this state of contentment as we continue to sell off personal properly is surprising.
As I shed possessions I recognize a side effect is that I have shed the desire to be self-indulgent. There seems to be a link between all my stuff and stuffing myself. Though I had heard that food cravings for fat, sugar, and salt would disappear over time with a proper, healthful diet, I had never before experienced it until now. Though I had, in the past, tried very hard to get to a point free of cravings, I realize now that it is not something to work at, but rather a state of mind that one can cultivate. The best way to sum up the state of mind is one of contentment and thankfulness. In this state, healthful food is what I want and I am am thankful to have the time and energy to plan and prepare the meals.
I was raised in the Lutheran faith (attending a Lutheran school from Kindergarten through 8th grade). Jesus, like the holy men in many faiths, practiced asceticism. Indeed Jesus told a man seeking advice on how to live a good life, "“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21), the man left discouraged because he was wealthy. Then Jesus told his disciples, " “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19: 23-24).
I am not a particularly religious person at this point in my life, but this story has bounced around in my head since childhood. Perhaps I now have a very elementary experiential knowledge of the truth of the story if one reflects that Jesus also said, "“The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21) So in order to enter the kingdom of God - that elusive holy space that has hitherto been reserved for the most devout, and demonstrated by Thích Quảng Đức in this photo,
I certainly am not preaching - for I, like you, am just trying to navigate this life as well as I am able. But these insights have been swirling around in my mind and I wanted to share them. I recently have been feeling differently and I am experiencing the world differently. I feel more peaceful, less stressed, more centered, and less anxious. I can only share my feelings and try to interpret these new feelings through my prism of experience.
I believe, as I have shared with many of my friends, that I am not a fan of anything that divides us or defines us into arbitrary categories. We are all in this together - as humans we have the same biological and emotional needs and we all have the same questions. Another truth I have internalized from my Lutheran upbringing is that God is Love - Jesus said we should love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31) to me that is a mandate for tolerance, compassion, and love for our fellow humans.
Ok, this post is getting heavy! And all because we sold a car! HA! It's crazy how something small can send you down the rabbit hole...
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