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The same mind that rejoices in possession can exult in dispossession even more.

Q: It is said that our life is a process of living and outliving, as we outlive childhood, boyhood, adolescence, youthfulness, old age and finally life itself when the body falls. Is this principle – law of nature as you put it – applicable to acquiring wealth too? Is it also to be outlived?

Swamiji: There is a dictum, maxim, in India, which says: Ati sarvatra varjayet, meaning excess is to be avoided everywhere. Even nectar, if taken in excess measure, will cause indigestion.

Wealth is an object of pursuit for human life, but only to the extent one moderately needs. To acquire wealth disproportionately is wrong and destructive too.

So far as outliving is concerned, one of the richest businessmen recently gave off his huge wealth lavishly in charity. This means he did not want to employ it for further productivity. If acquisition is our only goal, why did he resort to such incredible dispossession at all?

Joy is emotional and hence it belongs to the mind. The same mind that rejoices in possession can exult in dispossession even more. To the extent of fulfilling life’s moderate needs, resources are required, but not beyond. Mind left to itself outlives acquisition and delights in dispossession. This is a psychological law, as true as physical, chemical or biological laws.

– Vicharasethu – Dec 2008