BASIC NEEDS & ENDLESS WANTS

"When we returned later to the office, I asked Soc whether he thought rich people are any happier than 'poor stiffs like us'.

His response, as usual, shocked me. 'As a matter of fact, Dan, I'm quite wealthy. One must become rich to be happy.' He smiled at my dumbfounded expression, picked up a pen from his desk, and wrote on a clean white sheet of paper:

'You are rich if you have enough money to satisfy all your desires. So there are two ways to be rich: You earn, inherit, borrow, beg, or steal enough money to meet all your desires; or, you cultivate a simple lifestyle of few desires; that way you always have enough money.

'A peaceful warrior has the insight and discipline to choose the simple way – to know the difference between needs and wants. We have few basic needs but endless wants. Full attention to every moment is my pleasure. Attention costs no money; your only investment is training. That's another advantage of being a warrior, Dan – it's cheaper! The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.'”

SOURCE:
Way of the peaceful warrior, Dan Millman; HJ Kramer, New World Library, California 2000



FELL FREE TO LIVE YOUR COMMENT!