Wish I could take credit for this...

[SAINT_X]

...

"Since the dawn of the agricultural age, if not well before then, man has formed into heirarchical societies.

In a heirarchical society, wealth is distributed in an inverse pyramid. Those few at the top control the greatest proportion of wealth, and use that wealth and power to control those below.

This appears to be an innate condition. No non-heirarchical societies have survived.

It also appears to be innate within mankind to self-associate with those of similar characteristics. This innate grouping allows for group-think, and banding together against those not of the group.

All major religions/philosophies have common beliefs; chief amongst is the altruistic tenant about caring for one’s fellow human, regardless of station, gender, or race. Thus the basic tenants of the major religions run counter to the innate heirarchical-grouping tendencies of mankind.

How, then, is this reconciled? We are seeing things moving to the extremes of divisiveness. Zealots can never be appeased. Give them what they want on gay marriage, abortion, health care, torture, whatever, it will never be enough. There will always be some new afront to their righteousness.

Redistribute wealth? A new hierarchy emerges. The French Revolution was the prime example. While some level of socialism alleviates the suffering of the masses at the expense of the top of the hierarchy, it does not change the innate greediness within mankind.

Christ said, ’sell all you have, give it to the poor, and follow me.’ Thoreau got more out of life by wanting less. Buddah discovered all unhappiness is born of desire – eliminate desire and you eliminate unhappiness.

The solution, then, lies within the individual. Evolve. Be in the world, but not of the world. Care about your fellow people, but realize that true change in the status of mankind is the change that happens within you – when you step out of living in a hierarchy and live – for your self – and for the ones you love — When “things” (possessions) no longer matter…

In my travels I have learned one truth — the Universe resonates most harmoniously with the feeling of love. "

[tooncesthecat]

So if you didn't write this, who did?

[SAINT_X]

Trying to figure that out...

[helpmespock]

they didn't have no widescreen LCD tv's when Jeysus was arooound.....

I never really got the Buddha thing....If you lose all desire for anything, happiness ensues....its like saying, if you don't care about anything, you never feel loss. Sure....unfortunately


You never feel joy either.

[ptrper]

I've always felt that money doesn't make the world go round, however, it sure does grease the axle it spins on.

If there is no desire or want, I believe that many things we enjoy today would not have been invented or even thought of. Case in point, man has always wanted to fly like the birds, Leonardo DaVinci made designs for a gyrocopter and even a winged contraption which he theorized would allow a man to fly. However, it wasn't until the Wright brothers who were able to get a machine to actually fly. If that desire or want was not there, then we would never have built jet planes and space shuttles.

So there is something to be said about desire and wants.

[ckn]

I slightly disagree with the interpretations in the original post, it's a bit naive to give everything away as all that will happen is that the selfish people of the world end up with everything and in control. Not much different to nowadays in many ways.

I much prefer to interpret the Buddhist way as eliminate negative thinking and concentrate on positive thoughts; "Buddah discovered all unhappiness is born of desire – eliminate desire and you eliminate unhappiness." You CAN have whatever you want, unhappiness only comes because people concentrate on what they don't have rather than concentrating on how to get it. Negative and unhappy thought: "I want that car but will never afford it" Positive thought: "I want that car, now how do I change my life enough to afford it?" Negative and unhappy thought: "I never have enough money" Positive thought: "What do I need to change in my life to have abundant money?"

I grew up in one of the poorest coal mining villages in Scotland, my family wanted better for me and I saw a richer and fuller life apparently beyond my reach. Rather than becoming unhappy and destructive like many in destitute areas, I now run my own company, I was the first in my entire family to get a full university degree, I live in a nice house in the country and I take plenty of time for me and my wife. Much of that was down to pure stubbornness and being unwilling to accept my lot in life. I am thoroughly grateful for my family upbringing, I am thoroughly grateful for the education I received in a very poor (financially not quality) school, I am thoroughly grateful for the army helping me get my degree, I am thoroughly grateful for the support my wife gives me. I know exactly where I want to be in 5 years time and I'll be just as happy then as I am now.

On the principles of giving. Rather than concentrating on MONEY, even the poorest can practice philanthropy and giving. I use the Pay it Forward (wikipedia link, there are more sources out there, use Google) philosophy for life. There is a film on the story, it's a bit cheesy but it is very good in putting forward the principle.

It's amazing how good it makes me feel to do things for people when I don't expect anything back in return. From simple things such as being courteous, e.g. crossing the road to open a door for someone struggling with a child, to giving a Big Issue seller an extra £2* and not even waiting for a thank-you, to the bigger stuff such as taking afternoons off work to help my elderly neighbour get to hospital appointments because her family can't help during the day. If anyone does say they owe me a favour, I let them know to simply help someone else and call it quits with me.

One of my friends says I'm an idealist and too soft, I think he's wrong, I lose nothing but I gain a huge amount of happiness knowing I'm doing things for others simply because I can rather than for expectation of something back from them in return.

A few small gestures of kindness by everyone to their fellow man without wanting anything in return will make the world a much better place. I see that as the core principle that I take from the original post.

* Big Issue is a British not-for-profit publication sold by homeless people. It gives them money in return for selling magazines and has them working for it rather than simply begging. £1.50 a magazine, it costs the homeless person 75p so 75p goes to them as "profit". I like rewarding people willing to actually work.

[ptrper]

You have a heart of gold CKN. Most admirable amidst a time of cynics and skeptics.

Push on my friend, push on.

[SAINT_X]

I agree with you CKN.