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Chopping Wood and Carrying Water

Humanity takes itself much too seriously andthe TV because we are too tired to interact
every experience does not have to be a lifewith others. The virus has a strong hold and
and death situation. Before the industrialthe middle class has shrunk to almost
revolution came along, humanity was involvednon-existence. The middle class was duped
with living. Half the world's populationinto believing it was not happy and happiness
produced all the food that would supply thecould be found in consumerism. Humanity
other half. Rural residents produced theirnow finds itself searching for what it
own food and in doing so they maintainedalready had-happiness. It has tricked itself
their connection with the earth. When Iinto believing things will bring it
was growing up, we always had a garden.happiness. "I will be happy when I get my new
Everyone had fruits trees of some kindcar." "I will be happy when I purchase my
growing in their yards. Listening to thenew 72" plasma TV." "I will be happy once I
radio or watching television was somethingmove into my new home." But people are
you did after supper when all the chores werefinding out happiness doesn't always come
done-it was kind of a reward for work wellwith the new product or is very short lived.
done. When we went to bed at night, weWe have convinced ourselves into believing
slept well. Our minds were at peace knowingonly "things" bring happiness. All of us
when we go up everything would be as it was.have experienced being excited about
People were content and happy to do a goodacquiring something new, only to find it
days work. The middle class familiesdidn't live up to our expectations, was
demonstrated the good life. The very poor anddefective, or not as advertised. Were we
rich were struggling to maintain what theyhappy? The illusion of acquiring more
had. They were always under stress to improvehappiness outside of ourselves has not worked
their lot-always wanting more-always worryingand it is observable-something went wrong!
about keeping what they had. All classes lookHow were we tricked? We experienced
at each other with fear and envy. The richhappiness when we were not too busy looking
envied the middle class for their freedom-thefor it. By nature, happiness is what we are
middle class envied the rich for what theynaturally and what we do expresses our
had. They both envied the poor for theirhappiness. Happiness is a choice we make
perceived lack of responsibility and freedom.first and then we express it. In your mind
The poor wanted to be recognized and treatedyou must be happy and then you seek to do
fairly-they wanted a part of what the otherthings which reflect your happiness-you do
two groups had. Yet it was the middle classhappy things. We have it all backwards, and
who separated the rich and poor. And it wasit is why we are suffering now. We are
the middle class who was the most prolific inexperiencing consumerism induced happiness-it
symbolizing how man should live. The richis synthetic and unnatural, and it is
always eager to collect more introduced adesigned to drain you and take all your
virus into society called consumerism.energy and resources. The new religion of
Consumerism was the next great plague thatconsumerism has not enlightened us. In fact
would kill off the middle class. As theit has taken us away from enlightenment. It
middle class turned their heads away fromhas taken us down a path of searching for
what they had and focused on what they couldwhat we already are by nature, and it is the
have, they found themselves wanting more.reason we cannot find it. You cannot find
They turned away from the simple pleasureswhat you already are. To experience happiness
which were expressions of their happiness andyou must be happy first and then express it
become addicted to the new wave ofphysically in what you do. Enlightenment
materialism that would consume them anddoes not bring you happiness. Searching will
destroy their way of life. The richnot bring you there. There is a Buddhist
introduced new products and services theyexpression; "Before enlightenment comes
said would free up middle class. All thischopping wood and carrying water, after
extra time would be spent leisurely withenlightenment comes chopping wood and
friends and family. However there would be acarrying water." It is all there is, and
hefty price for all these goods and services.somewhere in between you experience
This required the middle class to move fromhappiness. Happiness will always lead to the
their fields and gardens to find good payingsimpler life. It does not mean we have to
jobs in the cities to pay for the newgive up the things we desire. It simply means
consumerism. The quality leisure timewe should not take on more than what we are
traditionally spent with family, friends, andable to manage while maintaining our ability
community was now spent working harder to payto  experience  happiness.
for the goods and services. We are isolated
and cocooned ourselves. We live in front ofMore articles from this pro: E.



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