I recently came across an article on luxury homes in the US, and it made me wonder if the people who are extremely wealthy were truly happy. Lasting happiness is the underlying reason why we would want to be rich right?

I have some very close family friends who would be considered extremely wealthy. Of the many families I know that fall into this category, one stands out in particular, as they own several aircrafts for personal use. In fact, when their daughter got married, they spent over $3000 per guest just on accommodations, without breaking a sweat. This did not include the favours and gifts bestowed upon those close enough to be considered family. But then I reflected could their wealth ensure their daughter’s happiness in her future married life? And the answer was a definite no. If wealth cannot ensure this basic need in our lives then why is there a fascination for the lifestyles of the rich and famous?

For us common folk too materialism permeates throughout our lives in one way or the other. In fact for most of the people I know, their value system and purpose in life revolves around making money, getting rid of debt or looking for some luxury that they think would make them happy. And until I came in touch with SSRF and spiritual science concepts I have to say that I shared these same values and purpose in life.

Study of Spirituality under SSRF has shaped my opinions with regards to what is actually important in life – that is if we step back and look at it from an absolute perspective. At the end of the day, when my time has come to leave this world, will it really have mattered how much money or debt I had? The only debt that I should worry about is my spiritual debt or give-and-take account, because that will follow me from lifetime to lifetime. It will determine the level of happiness or unhappiness I will have to undergo in this lifetime and subsequent lifetimes. Spiritual practice is the only thing that helps to burn our spiritual debt or give-and-take account or give us the strength to bear it.

With this perspective, all our efforts in acquiring a livelihood and various luxuries if at all, need to be geared to our true purpose of life which is liberation from the cycle of birth and death and God-realisation.

Maya Jairam

SSRF team member

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Read more:

• Benefits of spiritual practice
• Guide to a saattvik lifestyle
• If the student is willing, the Guru is always teaching