what beholds you from giving up your possessions?

and start leading a monastic life? You know, giving up all you got, meditate all day, care about the rest of the world and live in peace the rest of your days.

What stops you from doing that? (if you ever wanted to that is... duh)

I don't want to do that, that is why. Meditate for what?

Sounds like a waste of life.

meditating in my opinion has not been proven to affect anything besides one's own personal well being. Prayer has been given credit for making change in some matters - does not require all day. A period in the morning, or bedtime suffices.
As for my possessions, I dont own much. A tiny house, crappy van (thank God it still runs to get me to school and work), a tv older than dirt, and a computer I use for school and work. I live sparingly for the most part. Maybe spend more on food than I have to, but since I dont get to go to movies or clubs, dont own jewellry or anything nice and new, if I want to eat fun and tasty food, I feel little guilt over that.
My casting off possessions would benefit few at his point. I dont think anyone would want any of my possessions even if they were given away. And without my possessions I would not be able to work, go to school, pursue the things in my spare time that give me peace in this odd world.
I know where youa re coming from: If Jesus did it, why dont we all. Look at it this way. The world has moved on. If I roamed the countryside penniless and preaching the word of God I would be locked away in an institution and my children taken from me. We do not live in that kind of world anymore. My hope is that when I have finished with college I will finally be in a financial position to share with others, give to poor, provide for needy people. Right now I am behind on my mortgage and utilities and barely manage to keep it together since my husband left. It is nice to allude that others should follow Christ's example, and there will come a time for that, when the world will accept it or will be willing to listen, but now isnt the time. No call to action for anything that drastic...yet.

Already gotten rid of most of my stuff. It took me too long to realize; you don't own stuff stuff owns you. I have no tv, I have my laptop, tools, clothes, survival/camping gear, weapons, toiletries, a few books and my van. I can fit every single thing I own in my van and still have room to sleep on the couch in back if I want. I am starting to wonder why I bother paying rent. Only two reasons really. 1) Florida summer nights are VERY hot and humid. 2) My kids. On my days with them they would not appreciate sleeping in the van; did I mention it is hot and humid?

I know many people with very little in way of possessions. They are not better off for having less (doesn't mean having more is automatically better either).

Possessions mean nothing, great or few. It's who you inside that counts. There are bad rich people and even 'badder' poor people.

And some I know that meditate are just as bad.

So... your point was?

the only reason i would do it is as practice for a time when they will be taken from me, or me taken from them (SHTF FEMA camp or similar) so that i would already be acquainted w/ making do with nothing.

whats stopping me? i can achieve the close to the same thing by just temporarily removing myself from the possesions like dropping myself off in a remote area survivalman style.

Meditation is the most relaxing thing one can do.

As for possessions, the memories that may be associated with it.

That being said, i dont think you need to give up your own to put others before yourself.

Originally posted by Burnerz
Meditation is the most relaxing thing one can do.

As for possessions, the memories that may be associated with it.

That being said, i dont think you need to give up your own to put others before yourself.

Don't mean to laugh, but "afterglow" is MUCH more relaxing.

reply to post by DarthMuerte


Yeah, and so is smoking ice.

Originally posted by Reignite
and start leading a monastic life? You know, giving up all you got, meditate all day, care about the rest of the world and live in peace the rest of your days.

What stops you from doing that? (if you ever wanted to that is... duh)

edit on 2/10/11 by Reignite because: (no reason given)

We call it logic in Canada...

How about you?

I have given up all of my things. Happiness, Companionship, etc,. These are not the things that are to be given up, but cherished, If you have these things to give up, then you have not given enough.

Peace, NRE,.

Originally posted by Reignite
and start leading a monastic life? You know, giving up all you got, meditate all day, care about the rest of the world and live in peace the rest of your days.

What stops you from doing that? (if you ever wanted to that is... duh)

edit on 2/10/11 by Reignite because: (no reason given)

The only luxury I have are my laptop & my mobile phone - I don't own anything else. I don't need these 2 because I want to, but because I have to. This is my only means of getting the news and mobile phone to keep in contact with family members. I don't own much money in the bank. I might as well live in the woods, for all I care. Which I hope I can do so soon. Life is getting too superficial for me.

I meditate better while riding my motorcycle.