Consuming Thoughts N

N is for Now and That’s All There Is. Morrisey: You say it’s going to happen now-but when exactly do you mean? Buddhism calls rampant consumerism the world of hungry ghosts. Forever wanting, forever hungry we wander around samsara seeking happiness in things. In the Bible, the book of Matthew states: “You cannot serve both God and Mammon.” Mammon is typified as avarice and greed. Again, choosing wealth and stuff as a path to wholeness and contentment. As consumers we are frequently guided by desire and appetite. We want something so we buy it. We hunger so we consume. In this cycle there is temporary, fleeting comfort-instant and brief happiness. In this cycle we are not fully present. We are led by desire. There is no Now, there is a never-ending future, always just out of reach. We grasp at that next thing and, somehow, happiness still eludes us. Now, welcome to Now. Comfort and happiness are here-Now-in You-in God-in the Present. Continuous, constantly unfolding Now. Take a breath. Let it out slow. Check it out-Now.

Tags: Buddhism, hungry ghosts, mammon, Morissey, samsara, the book of Matthew