Is Pursuing Wealth All There Is to Life?

If one pursues inner peace, does one have to forsake all material possessions and live in a cave or monastery? On the other hand, if one is interested in wealth acquisition, will one go to hell? Neither. There is a middle path to follow, and this article describes it.

Sure, wealth is necessary to live. What is the point of going through life without worldly comforts and living in consequent pain, misery or deprivation? All these make life unhappy. Would you rather spend your life unhappily or happily? I bet I know your answer.

But should the pursuit of wealth be your be-all and end-all? Is that all there is to life?  (Reminder: I am not saying that the pursuit of wealth, aka “material things”, is unimportant and that you should live in a monastery) …

Now pause for a moment and take a deep breath…

I hate to bring this up, but one of these days you will be dying (so will I, if that is any consolation). I hope you have rehearsed that event… I mean you should have imagined what your experience of dying will be like.

Well, have you? If not, do it now (remember, it is only a rehearsal… there is nothing to fear).

If you had spent your entire life chasing wealth, would you, in your final moments, feel it was a life well spent?? Probably not. You would say to  yourself, “I am dying…I am going away from all those possessions, as well as my family and friend… what is going to happen to me now?”… why didn’t I think about this moment during my lifetime, why did I spend all my time thinking about acquiring possessions... oh my God, where am I going, what is going to happen to me …. (eternal silence follows)

If during your lifetime you had:


•    made yourself materially comfortable (nice house, transportation, clothes, food, healthcare)

•    enjoyed harmless pleasures of the senses

•    cared for your loved ones: been kind and encouraging to your partners, children, parents and all others whom you had significant interaction with
   
•    done a lot of good to other living beings (including other animals)
   
•    come to terms with the meaning of life and of death
   
•    spent the majority of your life without stress, anxiety and worry,

   
would you, in your final moments, feel comfortable?? You most probably would.

Clearly the second scenario is preferable, and you cannot wait until your last days to make it happen. You have to start making it happen NOW.

Begin by spending ten minutes a day reading what various happiness and inner peace coaches say, and study more of whosever teaching you find most compatible. Move to another teacher if you do not see results in a few months. Rinse and repeat until you find a path that delivers the outcome you want.

Remember: Happiness is your birthright and is built into you; persevere in your search for it and you will definitely find it, as thousands of others have!

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