materialism | Alisa Battaglia

By Alisa Battaglia

Contrary to what some people might believe, there is nothing wrong with having pleasures and enjoyments. What is wrong is the confused way we grasp onto these pleasures, turning them from a source of happiness into a source of pain and dissatisfaction. ~Lama Thubten Yeshe, “Introduction to Tantra”

Whenever a nation stands aloof from virtue and ethics as its epicenter it is beguiled by sense reality. And to the extent that materialism succeeds, humanity becomes inwardly weak from focus on the externals. A preoccupation with buying, selling, loss and gain prevails in the absence of love and goodness. This is a major factor in deterioration, as vested interests lurk around with selfish motives and ambition. Materialism is a fraud against humanity since it masquerades as something virtuous.

As the world of the senses takes over wisdom is clouded. This enfeebling is happening all over the world today as pressures to conform echo borrowed thoughts. What influence will today’s controlled multitude have on the new generation? Wisdom is required to turn the tide. “Wisdom avoids going through the experience of trial and error; it is awakened by the clarity within that sets one free from illusions and deceptions” (J. Krishnamurti).

Very few of us work on piercing through our projected deceptions and save ourselves from the commotion of a wasted life—duty bound and irresponsible at the same time. Education prepares to teach us how to fit into a job quashing the potential to be more humane and connected to the living world. We are taught to solve problems and go through the motions without realizing that there are no problems at all apart from the mind. Problems always relate to fear and self-centeredness. Insecurity is a permanent stamp upon humanity and self is an abstraction manufactured by thought. So, do we really have problems or are we just in doubt, fearful and self-centered? Where is the “clarity” that dissolves all problems and the duality of thought itself?

When interpretation is based on opinion and assumption, it has little to do with reality and fragmentation continues to thrive. Through questioning, we can free ourselves from opinions, assumptions, beliefs, conclusions, and consequences. Self-discovery, not efficiency leads to new action founded on the need to express truth and love within, rather than ambition and motive. This is where transformation takes place.

Society will not change, but we can govern the law of our own being as we rise to the heights and relate with the reality within. We may not be able to do anything about government, but we can be aware of what is not ethical and then build our lives with self-responsibility for our own ethics and virtues. This is each our responsibility, to love one another as ourselves. To accept that responsibility is life transforming. And no-thing can defeat this inner shift.

The Kingdom is perfectly united and perfectly protected, and the ego will not prevail against it. Amen. ~ A Course in Miracles, I, pg 54.