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The Buddha said that constant "want" is the reason for misery, in general.
As i think back on my life, i would say that ...1.) other people created most of my personal misery, or, 2.) situations that i had to endure, that i usually caused, created most of the rest.
3.) Life happens and you are stuck
There is a saying that....."suffering is resistance to what IS"...
And i kinda roll with that one, mostly, as i think that kinda nails it.
A whole lot of Life's contentment found.. is ... = just the disciplined ability to accept that all thorns have roses
And vice versa.
Life is a thorn that is a Rose....
You just have to learn, the best way you can, to deal with it.
The better you do this... the more content you will become.
The college of life, you see, has no graduates, it just has
LEARNERS...
Some of you had the luxury of loving parents who valued God and the bible, and that was your earliest cultivation.
Was not mine.
My parents were sort of mostly honest, hardworking, Low Level heathens.
My mother started off well, as a teen, as God actually instantly gifted her with the ability to play the piano and guitar.
She didnt have to practice, and she was just given the ability, from God.
My dad sort of started off as a mild religious cynic, and after a divorce @ 43, met and married a very religious younger woman who taught him how to go to church a lot.
After years and years of this, he mellowed some and grew to be a real believer.
My mom left her "religion" early on....and wasted most of her years with friends and work and night clubs and lonliness.
In the end, her final years, (just before the coma), she was finally broken enough by life situations that she was able to grow somewhat closer to the Lord as she approached her final days.
Both my parents were saved early in life, then both hit the ground running straight toward the hell raising.
Both by their end, were back on the right side of the Light.
Me?
Ive been to seminary, and all that.
Ive seen miracles in front of my eyes.
Ive lived in Israel, and will again.
Years ago, I was fortunate enough to sit at the feet, for a while, of one of the most profound theologians-preachers-evangelist, who ever lived.
Am i content?
Well, more then i use to be
I think a little discontent is good for the soul, as it helps you to not stagnate and turn into uselessness.
The Buddha however theorized that if you can get rid of "want" you can end your suffering, for the most part.
To live in a state of not wanting.....would be the Buddha's idea of bliss.
The problem is, you can only get rid of want, once you are dead.
Otherwise, you will want...
Do you want anything right now?
Well, within a few minutes you will want something.....no worries
The issue isn't want......the issue is wanting what is bad for you, or wanting too much of what is good for you..
You are , in fact, designed by God to want.
It is natural to want., and to be human is to want, .... but where the Devil gets the foothold is when he can drive you to
extremes, within your "want".
Face it, you came out of the womb wanting food and affection, and you'll go to your grave wanting "just a little more time and health".
So, its not about "want".....its really about
self control.
MONEY, Is a good example of a substance that we want.
Sure, you want money and i do, and we should.
Isn't it nice to have a home, a car, a TV, and food and clothes, and to provide for your family?
Have you ever tried to get all that without money?
Have you ever tried to repair a car or buy a new washing machine, or pay for a funeral without money?
My advice...
dont try that.......as its so much better to have money instead when facing the continuing issues in life.
Money , in a literal sense, is a financial lubricant that allows you less friction in life as you travel down the rocky path of life.
Almost everything can be solved, if you have enough money.......(almost everything).
And if your money is wrong, your life is also.....as that is a certain consequence of how it is to have to live in a world where money matters matter too much.
So...The issue lies in the fact of how much you want it and what you'll do to get all you want of it (whatever it is).........and why.
So, "you", "we", "us".... are the issue, and want is just the situation.
