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January 2009 
Material Satisfaction
Posted on Aug 29th, 2006
by 
Miguel
Miguel
Last night I had a drink with a friend who was staying at this beautiful waterfront house in one of the posh neighbourhoods of Sydney. It had eight (8) bedrooms, smashing views, exquisite but tasteful decor, plasma TVs and all the expensive toys you'd expect from a property that cost 20 times what I would be able to afford.
I think of myself as fairly enlightened. And I like to believe I am beyond the pursuit of material things. But (you knew there was going to be a 'but') last night had me thinking about material success again. The owner of the house was a year younger than me and he makes a quid as a CEO of company. I can't stop thinking that he is somehow better than me and happier than me because he has all these things. Now I am questioning whether my so called enlightenment is nothing but poorly disguised 'sour grapes'. Am I lying to myself when I say that I am happy where I am. So I don't drive a Ferrari, so what if I am merely renting and can't even afford a mortgage? Am I a failure for giving up on the fantasy of material success?
I realise I have folded on the poker game of material success. I looked at my hand and gave up. The inner voice said "Dude, ain't no way you're gonna win on them cards." And silly me, I listened.
I once read a Buddhist master describe that we cannot truly give up materialism if we never had it. If you were poor to start with, then you have not given up anything. I'm not saying I am poor, but neither do I live in a 6 million dollar mansion.
Before I go off declaring how enlightened I am and how the accumulation of material wealth does not interest me, maybe I should experience having them first? I cannot honestly say I do not desire these things, because I do.
I would love to have a pad with all the toys. I would love to have friends over for parties and enjoy fine wine and entertainment. I don't think it's wrong to desire these things.
I am declaring for all that I will now embark on the chase for money and success. I'm not sure yet how to do this, but I will figure it out.
I'm picking up my new hand and playing the cards I have.
I think of myself as fairly enlightened. And I like to believe I am beyond the pursuit of material things. But (you knew there was going to be a 'but') last night had me thinking about material success again. The owner of the house was a year younger than me and he makes a quid as a CEO of company. I can't stop thinking that he is somehow better than me and happier than me because he has all these things. Now I am questioning whether my so called enlightenment is nothing but poorly disguised 'sour grapes'. Am I lying to myself when I say that I am happy where I am. So I don't drive a Ferrari, so what if I am merely renting and can't even afford a mortgage? Am I a failure for giving up on the fantasy of material success?
I realise I have folded on the poker game of material success. I looked at my hand and gave up. The inner voice said "Dude, ain't no way you're gonna win on them cards." And silly me, I listened.
I once read a Buddhist master describe that we cannot truly give up materialism if we never had it. If you were poor to start with, then you have not given up anything. I'm not saying I am poor, but neither do I live in a 6 million dollar mansion.
Before I go off declaring how enlightened I am and how the accumulation of material wealth does not interest me, maybe I should experience having them first? I cannot honestly say I do not desire these things, because I do.
I would love to have a pad with all the toys. I would love to have friends over for parties and enjoy fine wine and entertainment. I don't think it's wrong to desire these things.
I am declaring for all that I will now embark on the chase for money and success. I'm not sure yet how to do this, but I will figure it out.
I'm picking up my new hand and playing the cards I have.
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