Last week I alluded to my frustrations with the Westernized versions of Eastern philosophies. Last week it was in regard to the marketing world of yoga accessories. This week, my frustrations were further fueled when entering a tea store. A tea store laced with figures of Buddha and Eastern Religion, so overpriced and shiny. The clerks, wearing their fake smiles, and feeding us lines to try to get us to buy more. So skilled in their sales techniques were they that we had to listen closely in order to get out with only what we intended to buy. Never before have I used so many “No thank yous” at a register. And I began to recall the history of the Buddha. Wasn’t he about a life of poverty and freedom from attachments? This place wreaked of contradiction.
In the same way that a yoga brand can monopolize an item, unnecessary to the practice of yoga but sold because they have convinced the Western tribe they “need” it.
What happened to simplicity? Finding immense gratitude for what you have because you have disciplined yourself to not take more than you need.
Now, I know what you are thinking. This is a Christian blog. Why am I talking about Buddha.
Ok. Let’s take a look at Jesus. Jesus was a man who himself said had no place to lay his head, rejected by his own hometown. Yet a friend to the poor and sick, to the sinner and unclean. There is a documentary entitled “What would Jesus Buy”. It is a look into the consumerism of America and a challenge to consider the history behind what we buy as well as the true “need” for them.
Very interesting post. It is very difficult in this society. Before you can even think whether or not a purchase would be pleasing to God, you have some other things to think about and I think a lot of good instruction for this comes from Dave Ramsey. First, make sure that the giving you should be doing comes off the top. Most people never get past this step. Second, don’t be in debt, pay them off before you start thinking about buying stuff. Now if all that’s done, you can think about whether or not to purchase something that’s not necessarily a must-have. Jesus and Buddha would say give up your worldly possession and follow them. Does that mean sell everything you own? Perhaps for some that are called, but I think for most it means realizing that the thing you possess are transitory, non-permanent. Don’t attach yourself to things that don’t last, that causes suffering. As I tell my kids, the only thing that is permanent is God’s love and that is what you should be seeking to attach yourself to. So, as for whether or not to buy a knick knack. If something catches my eye, I know I can afford it, I know that I’ve given to church and charities, I know to the best of my knowledge that it wasn’t made with slave labor, then ok. What is best though is when I can make the purchase with love in my heart, knowing that the money will help the sales person, the craftsman or factory laborer, and others put food on their plate and take care of their families.
Great words of wisdom, Keith! Thanks for sharing. I agree it is good to consider many things before purchasing something. Some are do I need it? How will I pay for it? Where will I put it? Who was paid to make it? etc.