POISONOUS GREED
It is common these days to consider greed in relation to material wealth and
leave it at that. But such reflection examines only one of many manifestations
of greed and not its cause. Once we define greed as an “excessive desire to
acquire or posses more than what one needs or deserves,” many questions arise
such as: When does desire become excessive? Who or what determines what one
needs or deserves? And, most instructively, in what ways have I been greedy?
Indeed, greed takes many forms, some very subtle. There is greed for power,
possessions and honor. However, the most basic form of greed is said to be
personal selfishness or the greed for self and self only. It is this form of
greed that infects the majority of humanity and produces most of our evils.
Under its influence one cannot help but deprive another of what is rightfully
and lawfully theirs. For those who aspire to assist the promulgation of great
spiritual truths, it is especially important to be aware of its influence since
this basic form of greed has historically allowed others to remain in ignorance
of truth, especially those Truths which are their birthright as spiritual
beings.
Greed also infects the person who allows it to delude the mind, suffocate the
heart, and break the self-conscious connection with universal spirit. It forms
barriers to spiritual progress and obscures perception of truth. As stated in
The Bhagavad-Gita, Hell has three gates: lust, anger and greed, or more
specifically in Gems From the East, “...eagerness in greed leads to loss.”
If greed is a poison raging undetected in the heart of a human being, then
there must be certain ideas that make the heart vulnerable to the poison and
other ideas that are the antidote. The idea that we only have one life to live
and to accomplish all our desires encourages greed. The idea of separateness
from other beings and from universal spirit encourages greed. The idea that we
can escape the consequences of our actions encourages greed. The idea that our
life has no higher meaning or purpose encourages greed.
The ideas that neutralize and expel greed from the heart are to be found in
the great spiritual truths synthesized by the three fundamental propositions of
Theosophy. Their study, realization, application and promulgation is the best
we can do to help ourselves and others. Fortunately, this is not beyond the
power and capacity of any person who desires to engage in the true service of
humanity.
QUOTES FROM VARIOUS THINKERS
...I must tell you in all seriousness and truth that statements of the facts you
really wish have been over and over again made in many places, books, and times.
Not alone are they to be found in your new theosophical literature, but in that
of older times. In every year for centuries past these facts have been given
out, - even in English. They were told in the days of the German and English
Alchemists, and by the Cabalists. But greed and wrong motive have ever formed
the self-constructed barriers and obscurers.
William Q. Judge
We will explore in future articles how human ignorance and greed are
affecting all these Elements, and what the Karmic consequences may be.
Hazardous human actions include: the generation of radioactive and other toxic
wastes; contamination of agricultural soil and oceans; destruction of forests
and species; the deterioration of urban centers and rural life; and the placing
of undue stress on all beings. We will search for what Theosophy offers that
will help us and the earth heal our physical, psychic, and mental wounds.
Magazine Theosophy, volume 81
It is ridiculous for the Western nations to demand that the Adepts shall
multiply food when every one knows there is at all times enough food in hand,
either unused or locked up by the men of greed, to feed all the hungry.
William Q. Judge
No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're
looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we
should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power.
P. J. O'Rourke
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed
Mahatma Gandhi
To greed, all nature is insufficient. Seneca
It always seemed strange to me that the things we admire in men, kindness and
generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling are the concomitants of
failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed,
acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest are the traits of success.
And while men admire the quality of the first, they love the produce of the
second.
John Steinbeck
The world is burning in the fire of desire, in greed, arrogance and excessive
ego. Sri Guru Granth Sahib
Love is blind, and greed insatiable.
Chinese Proverbs
The secret of success is to realize that the crisis on our planet is much larger
than just deciding what to do with your own life, and if the system under which
we live the structure of western civilization begins to collapse because of our
selfishness and greed, then it will make no difference whether you have $1
million dollars when the crash comes or just $1.00. The only work that will
ultimately bring any good to any of us is the work of contributing to the
healing of the world.
Marianne Williamson
Poverty wants much; but avarice, everything, Publilius Syrus
A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he
plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit. D.
Elton Trueblood
It's time for greatness -- not for greed. It's a time for idealism -- not
ideology. It is a time not just for compassionate words, but compassionate
action. Marian Wright Edelman
“Theosophical Independence” is produced monthly by Associates of The
United Lodge of Theosophists in Philadelphia. Comments, questions and
contributions for publication may be sent to The United Lodge of Theosophists,
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