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Would you like to be rich?
Comments
You have to decide what's important before you get the money, because you'll never find it after you do.
I won't lie, I'd buy myself a little house out in the hills, a nice motorcycle, a normal car, and then live easy. I'd also spread some of the money through my immediate family, all of whom are suffering financially at the moment. The only way I'd donate to charity is if I founded the charity myself.
I don't trust charities to actually get the money to where it's needed to go, is all.
Although if I had a swiss bank account or something I don't touch with millions in there, then I wouldn't mind lol
I have enough now. Oh but I'd trade it all for a little more.
I think I responded to this thread, or maybe an earlier one way back in the day. Being rich is a burden and the people around you view you as a cash register rather then a person. it can be extremely lonely as well. Ajahn Brahm always tells the story of the house he went to bless that he needed directions to find the bathroom and the woman said only she lived there because she avoids family and friends since how they treat her.. no thanks.
as a lay person i'd like to make enough to live fairly comfortably and travel the world once or twice a year, good enough for me.
One of us is missing something!
When my $4000 Jetta shit the bed and needed $7500 worth of repairs on it's infernal electrical system, I parked it to the side and paid cash for another $4000 car (which has virtually no electric system, but turned out to be bright primary red :grumble: ). Bam, bam. If my laptop goes tits up, I can buy another one. I could buy the latest Macbook thingie or I can get another Acer like this one. When my adult kids need help, which is seldom and RARELY even asked for, I can help them. I splurged on an air/germ purifyer for my place, but in all honesty, I have 3 pairs of jeans (bought at Goodwill), five or six long sleeve shirts (used from eBay), one coat, winter boots, work shoes and four sets of work scrubs I replace with another four sets when they start looking homeless.
My therapist questioned if it was a matter of me feeling like I don't 'deserve' a wardrobe of nicer clothes or an interior redo of my studio. I give her the benefit of the doubt for asking, but I honestly don't think it's low self esteem. I've always been like this.
I've never felt this graspy clingy relationship to money, even when I had none, which was most of my life. It's just this neutral thing? Don't know how to explain it.
If I were to receive a windfall (as long as it were ethical), I would buy 200 or more acres of cheap swampy land and make a waterfowl and farm animal rescue/rehab. I would work hourly as a hospice or palliative care nurse, that's important stuff to do if you have the experience. I'd make sure my kids had paid-for homes and cars, and my grandson a trust fund if his autism is such that he needs assisted living/sheltered work as an adult OR a nice chunk for college as he's MIT material, intelligence-wise. My mother and extended family would receive gifts that make them more secure and less worried about money or things.
I can't really think of what to get myself, quite honestly. A really fancy electric spinning wheel, someone to consult on how to organize my crafts/home due to my ADD, and maybe a housecleaner once a week
There's a documentary on 'free' Netflix called Park Avenue, and in it they present some interesting facts that the Buddha knew 2600 years ago. The higher the income, the less is given to the poor, the less concern for the poor, in fact, a greater disdain for programs to help the poor. The top 1% seem to live in a completely different 'world' than the rest of us.
Gassho
Last night I read chapter 9 of Shantidev'a Bodhicharyavatara. I love it. Getting really useful things is great and although we are comfortable all of my clothes (except some dress clothes) are used. I don't need much. Being comfortable is fine and I think that is the middle way. Rich seems like an abuse. But, I don't feel I should give away what we have. We did honest helpful work to get what we have. that is what I think is important.
We didn't take away from others. Creating new wealth through co-creative activity is worthwhile. mtgby
There's a documentary on 'free' Netflix called Park Avenue, and in it they present some interesting facts that the Buddha knew 2600 years ago. The higher the income, the less is given to the poor, the less concern for the poor, in fact, a greater disdain for programs to help the poor. The top 1% seem to live in a completely different 'world' than the rest of us.
I know you are a nurse and that is fine. You make good money and that is fine also.
Anyone can make a documentary-doesn't mean it's true. I have seen several studies that indicate America (a wealthy nation) is the most generous nation as a % of income of any nation on Earth. That might not be true either. However, I have known wealthy people and some of them were generous and giving-as a % of income. So Some wealthy do great things with their wealth and I think that is pretty common. That doesn't require force and therefore it comes from the heart and that is the greatest type of giving-for the benefit of others. Giving at the point of a gun is pretty worthless. Government takes with a gun and gives blindly and sometimes hurtfully. The well off
should constantly be praised and cajoled to encourage their hearts. mtgby
We still have too many sad cases that cannot see the benefit of sharing their wealth but we also have many cases that show the opposite.
We do still see a lot of corruption in the top 1% but then we have people like George Lucas who when he sold Star Wars rights to Disney (shudder), put almost $4 000 000 000 into education.
In all honesty, I see the tides turning for the better.
If I had a lot of money, I don't think I would be rich because I would try to make it generate something helpful and not for profit.
Both situations are interesting. Both are impermanent. At this moment in time I don't think 'rich' would serve me very well...there are some life lessons going on and rich would screw that up. In fact, I've told my wife here recently that if we were to win the lottery, I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't pick the winnings up. Rich comes with its own problems. I'm inclined to agree with jae's post above.
.< One sometimes needs cash to solve problems. It probably is good to be rich then
It definitely is good to have money.
I have everything I need to be happy and enough wisdom to count my blessings. How much richer could I get?
When you have £300 in the bank, spending £6.00 on a joint of meat, is no big deal.
When you have £43.00 in your pocket to last you 10 days, £6.00 on a joint of meat is an exorbitant luxury.
It's all relative....
Perhaps. If so, it is also good to have no money.
Perhaps. If so, it is also good to have no money.
Nah...tried that. Didn't like it at all.
I respect your view. Have you asked all compassionate beings that you are presuming to speak for?
I have been rich, I have been poor, I have enough now. But you know that I want most? My health. If necessary, I can sell some possessions to raise money needed for experimental medical procedures and expensive medication. But there's no stopping my illness. Rich, poor or comfortable - I will still die shrugs If I had to go into everlasting debt to extend my life, I would.
As the saying goes "He who dies with the most toys, still dies"
After almost 24 years on a "spiritual" path my needs have always been met. I don't desire a lot of money as I'm not certain I have enough "clarity" to handle it and I don't need it. I'd be willing to try but cautiously, lol! (seriously) Bob