by Linda Slasberg

Created on: October 26, 2008

Does materialism mean the end of spirituality? - that was the question right?

I think we need to define what is spirituality; in my undersanding of it is a belief in a higher power, call it God, Spirit or any other name, it is all the same. I am not of the belief that spirituality is connected to any specific religion, system of belief or any denomination.

Materialism has been with us for centuries, spirituality has been with us since time began.

How then can materialism mean the end of spirituality?

Forgive me for what might seem to be off the subject but I do believe it is all connected.After listening to Eckhart Tolle's lecture on CD, "In The Now" it brought to my mind an item that has been in the news recently, (apart from the election of course), regarding cell phones/texting while driving. This seems to be a typical problem with humankind of which we are almost all involved to some degree or other.

The craziness of the vast majority of the population that seem totally unable or unwilling to do one thing at a time. It is said by some Zen masters that Zen is simply doing one thing at a time. The craziness of course extends to every facet of life. The need for external things supposedly to make us happy! Of course under the heading of things comes relationships, "success", money. We mustn't forget that judgement of others comes under this heading too. Doesn't that make us feel important?

I believe it is time to look at ourselves very objectively and honestly. Of course for most people that would be impossible why - because it would be too painful. Its very easy to look at other people's mistakes but nothing is going to change until we all realize that as we are looking at each other, pointing fingers we are actually pointing that same finger back at ourselves. We are a mirror for each other.

We all hear it said, we need to change the world; yes that's all very well and good but until we can heal other people we have to heal ourselves. I can almost hear it being said, "there's nothing wrong with me", of course there is there's a lot wrong. If there was nothing wrong the drug companies would be out of business, there would be no wars, no crime and no prisons. The current economic problems would be non-existant because if people were not sick they would be content to live more simply and not expect to buy "things" we cannot afford.

So let us be kinder, to ourselves and the people around us - let us be tolerant of others and to just try to live in the Now.

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