Greed's Hidden Influence on Your Life: A Wake-Up Call
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Chapter 1: Understanding Greed
When you think of "greed," you might picture a stereotypical Wall Street mogul indulging in excess. However, this is merely one aspect of the concept. Greed is fundamentally characterized as an intense, selfish craving for wealth, power, or even basic needs. I used to believe I was immune to it, associating greed solely with financial pursuits. Yet, it turns out that greed could be a significant issue in my life—and perhaps in yours too.
Reflecting on this, I recently penned an article about how our world perpetually keeps us in a cycle of wanting.
Section 1.1: The Cycle of Desire
Scrolling through my rarely used Facebook feed yesterday, I stumbled upon numerous “reels” featuring scantily clad individuals. This constant exposure seems to resonate with many, suggesting a society of desire-driven individuals moving from one dopamine hit to another.
Have you ever experienced this? Picture yourself walking down the street and spotting someone exceptionally attractive—a perfect 10. At first, you admire their looks, but soon enough, feelings of longing creep in. Thoughts like, "Why can't I be with someone like that?" bombard your mind.
Before you know it, you've snapped back to reality, but the emotional toll is already apparent. You might feel discontented with your own life and guilty for coveting something you don’t possess, despite being satisfied in your current relationship.
Consider when someone shares their success story of making a million dollars through drop shipping. You might feel a mix of envy and desire. You wish for that financial freedom, but at what cost? All of this reflects greed—an overwhelming desire for something unattainable, be it a model partner or a large social media following.
As Bhante Gunaratana articulates in his book, Mindfulness in Plain English:
“It is a constant undercurrent in every thought and every perception, a little voice in the back of the mind that keeps saying, ‘Not good enough yet. Need to have more. Have to make it better. Have to be better.’ It is a monster, a monster that manifests everywhere in subtle forms.”
Section 1.2: The Impact of Greed on My 20s
I can candidly say that greed significantly marred my 20s. I was perpetually focused on selling more courses and writing more articles. I worked tirelessly and accumulated substantial wealth, yet I look back on those years with a sense of regret, even though I consciously aimed to minimize my regrets.
My connections with friends, my health, and even my moral compass suffered. I was caught up in the belief that hard work would eventually allow me to relish the rewards. I drank the Kool-Aid of hustle culture, only to find that even after achieving success and earning over $10,000 a month, I never took a moment to enjoy it. The stress remained constant, regardless of my income level.
Looking back, it’s clear that this was fueled by greed—an incessant voice in my head insisting, "It's not good enough, Tom!"
Chapter 2: Overcoming Greed
So how do we eliminate greed from our lives? I recommend delving into mindfulness practices. Greed arises from the notion that “I” need to gain more for “myself.” Gunaratana explains:
“We have taken a flowing cortex of thought, feeling, and sensation and solidified that into a mental construct. Then we have stuck a label onto it: ‘me.’ Forever after, we treat it as if it were a static and enduring entity. We view it as a thing separate from all other things.”
When we dissolve the illusion of "me," greed loses its power.
In recent years, I've felt a strange emptiness despite my achievements. Although I’ve lost weight and made progress in life, I’ve also lost touch with friends and often feel isolated here in Mexico.
Many might suggest a spiritual solution, asserting that a divine presence is needed to fill the void. However, I know many who share this sentiment, regardless of their faith. Perhaps our Western understanding of happiness is fundamentally flawed—a realization that didn’t dawn on me until I turned 30.
- Cole poignantly states: "The good news is we came a long way. The bad news is we went the wrong way."
Mindfulness and Buddhism were once labeled as abstract concepts, but after exploring just one book on the subject, I found them to be surprisingly practical. Instead of complex doctrines, mindfulness encourages you to sit quietly and observe your thoughts as they drift by like clouds on a sunny day.
It’s a straightforward and effective practice, and I urge you to explore it further. It has profoundly impacted my perspective, and I genuinely believe I've stumbled upon the answers I’ve been seeking.
The first video, Life Is EASY. You Are Doing It WRONG | Awaken the Guru Within | Lesson 3 of 4, offers insights into recognizing and overcoming self-imposed limitations that stem from greed.
The second video, Deconstructing Girl Defined: When Toxic Faith Destroys Lives | Downfall, examines how societal pressures and toxic beliefs can lead to destructive desires and dissatisfaction.