Contemplation:
Ownership
People have manipulated, killed, lied, fought, and brutalized in the name of ‘owning’ something. Families have been torn apart. Wars have been fought. People’s lives and the natural way of living have been turned upside down.
- Do we really ‘own’ anything or is ownership an illusion?
- Who is the original ‘owner’ of land? How much was paid for that first piece of land?
- What did God/the Universe/the Divine charge us for using land?
- What do you take with you when you transition from this life?
Is it possible that the land belongs to all and that we are the caretakers while we are here on this earth? We did not come into this world with anything and we are not going to leave with anything. We may have been born into a wealthy family but we still did not bring any physical wealth with our birth.
Who are you?
There is often a struggle in responding to the question, ‘Who Are You?” Responses often include the name, the professional/educational background, family background, religious background, ethnic background and so much more. Responses can also be, ‘I am a soul’, ‘I am a spark of the Divine’, ‘I am energy’.
- How do you respond to the question ‘Who Are You?” Are you your job title, your daily function, your wealth status? If your job title or wealth status changes tomorrow, does that change who you are?
- What gives rise to feelings of inferiority or superiority? A rose does not compare to another rose. At least I don’t think the plant world has drama going on.
- Do feelings of superiority or inferiority affect your relationship with others? How do you respond to people that you consider ‘superior’ or ‘inferior’ to you?
- What is the purpose of our existence? To attend the most prestigious school? Have the highest paying job? To accumulate the most expensive things? To enjoy the natural beauty of this world?
So, ‘Who are you?” Can you really get to the core of that question? Titles change. Profession changes. Wealth status changes. Feelings change.
Feel free to go deeper on these points and share your point of view.