 Greed
is when the mind desires to possess something other than what it has.
Greed is the opposite of giving. There are three types of relationships
in the world. The first kind of relationship is that of taking, that
is, when we are looking to take something in addition to what we possess
or what we are. The second kind of relationship is that of giving and
taking.
Most relationships are based on this giving and taking. The third
kind of relationship is that of giving. You can only give if you are
content with what you have and possess the compassion to give. In today's
society - based on taking - or at very best on giving and taking, it
is not surprising that there is so much mental conflict and stress.
Societal effects of stress include increasing crime, broken relationships
and inner disharmony.
Greed causes most wars - my country, my job, my car, my house, my
race, my gender and so on. What are you going to take with you? An
interesting story illustrating the futility of greed is from the time
of Alexander the Great's conquests.
Alexander approached an old sage who, lost in thought, ignored Alexander.
Upon seeing this, some soldiers from Alexander's procession approached
the old man and demanded:
“Don’t you realise who this is? Show some respect!”
The old man turned to Alexander and asked: “Where are you going?”
“To conquer such and such country,” replied Alexander.
“What will you do then?” asked the sage.
“I will conquer another country,” replied Alexander.
The question remained unanswered, so the Sage asked: “What will
you do after that?”
“I will conquer the next country,” replied Alexander.
Eventually, through frustration, Alexander exclaimed: “I will
conquer the entire world.”
“What will you do then?” repeated the sage.
“I will find a place to sit and relax,” replied Alexander.
The Sage said: “I am already in a state of relaxation here. Instead
of going round the world causing so much conflict and suffering and
then relaxing, why don't you join me here?”
Alexander the Great died soon afterwards. However, he ensured that
when he died his hands were placed outside his coffin to show the world
that he had died empty handed.
We too do not realise the consequences of our own actions and spend
our lives running around in order to attain necessary comforts and
then try to find time to relax. However, the irony is that we spend
most of our lives chasing comforts and never get to relax. We need
to cultivate a sense of equality, without the sense of mine. It is
because of our greed we are unable to see all as equals.
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