WHAT DO WE REALLY OWN?

All of our lives we have been thinking in terms of what we own, what we have, what belongs to us, but the real question is, do we really own these things or do they own us? The idea of ownership started since we were born and, for most, continues until they die. Most people spend their entire lives accumulating and collecting possessions like cars, boats, airplanes, houses, awards, knowledge, family, relationships, and so much more. We think we own our bodies, minds, spouses, children, friends, jobs, businesses, plus all the other a million other possible possessions we can have.

So, let’s get back to our initial question, do we own these things? Do we own everything that we have been accumulating all our lives? And the answer is resounding “no.” Why not? For one simple fact, “because you cannot take any of these things with you when you die.” If we cannot take these things with us when we die, then we are just borrowing them temporarily here during this life time, even if we paid for them and even if we think we own them. The fact is that we do not own anything, not our bodies, minds, spouses, children, friends, jobs, businesses, plus all the other a million other possible possessions we can have. We are simply borrowing them temporarily during our short visit here.

This is what most people do not understand. They think that because they paid for it, because they can afford it, because they own it, they can do whatever with them. They can mistreat, damage, waste or destroy them, including people, animals, water, food, electricity, money, property, etc. This mentality is criminal to humanity and to the planet; and is the mentality that has us pinned to where we are right now and that can only bring negativity, unbalance, disparity, animosity, and unfairness. The earth and all its resources were here before, and will be here after, our brief life. We should treat them with respect and gratitude as we are only guests here for a very short period of time.

The American Indians did not understand the concept of property and property rights. Following is the Dwamish Chief Sealth's (Seattle's) reply to President Franklin Pierce when he offered to buy land from the Northwest Indians in 1854, “How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them? Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing, and every humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. The sap which courses through the trees carries the memories of the red man. This we know: All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”

The reality is that we do not own anything! If we do not own anything, then why are we so attached to all these things? The answer is simple, these things own us. We spend so much time thinking of, and working on, to collect things that they end up owning us. If your happiness, wellbeing, sanity, security, comfort, emotions (love, hatred, jealousy, etc.), in essence, who and what we are depend on the outside, on things, situations or people, then we do not own them, they own us! If they are dictating how we feel, behave, act, think, etc., then we are not free. We are enslaved by them, by the opinions of others, by what society, religion, fashion, government, and other institutions say and/or do.

In other words, if your love depends on another person, if your mood depends on how good your job is going today or how well your children are behaving, if your image depends on the car that you are driving or the house you are living in, etc., etc., then you do not own anything. They own you! If so, then you are the worst slave ever because everyone and everything decides who you are and even how you feel!

Once we realize that all we have been doing so far is trying to satisfy one of our most primal needs, our survival instinct, that we really do not own anything but are borrowing things temporarily, and that everything we need is not outside but inside of us, then we are en route to free ourselves from the slavery of attachments and entanglements, whatever they are.

As we realize that there is us and, around us, there are many other aspects of our lives like spouses, children, parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, relationships, work, possessions, health, body, mind, emotions, finances, etc.; then we are ready to put space between us and all these other aspects (disassociate from them). Doing that does not mean that we gave up, that do not love them anymore, that do not care, or… To the contrary, it means that we are breaking away from all attachments and entanglements, that we are severing the chains that ground us to suffering, to physicality, and that we are on the path to liberation, or destroying the boundaries of individuality to become one with everything. We are getting back in touch with our true nature, our true cosmic, energetic and divine nature!

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Author: Maurice Correa
Website: pathtoone.com
Blog: p2oblog.blogspot.com