It is true that life depends on the Four Requisites (food, clothing, shelter, and medicine). However, these requisites possess an inherent allure that can trigger desire and craving. Without mindful reflection, we easily fall into wanting more than is necessary.
For example, many already have an abundance of clothes—some items haven’t been worn in an entire year. Yet, when a new fashion trend arrives, the urge to buy more arises. This leads many to have oversized wardrobes filled to the brim.
If we lack mindfulness, we desire in excess of our needs. This leads to the turmoil of working too hard to acquire things, wasting money, and losing precious time. Eventually, we complain of exhaustion, of having insufficient money, or that our homes are becoming too small—simply because we have accumulated too many belongings that are never actually used.
February 19th, 2014
