Implementation: The Inevitability of Material Poverty
What do we need in our lives|Implementation|Poverty Lessons 2|
The Moments We Need To Be
By Dr. Gabriella Kőrösi
How can we just simply be without worry of material things? Today I wrote a letter to a powerful man who has a lot of money asking for help related to issues going on with another platform where writers are not treated well. The answer I got was not what I was hoping for. I took a risk by writing this person as he could decide to not want my work on their platform. I wanted to speak up for others. I risked my income for others.
Sometimes we have to do what we have to do and speak our truth even if there could be consequences. To me, this is the right way to be. I do enjoy some material things of comfort and what I enjoy even more is bringing happiness, joy, comfort, and smiles into other people’s lives. Causing happiness to others brings happiness to me. My way of uplifting people can be by supporting their work or even financially with donations when I can. Sometimes what people need is connections to support their vision. A simple hand or an idea to get them going on a path of success.
Imagine if we live in a world where we all help each other out. Simply there would be no poverty. Is it possible? I do not know. I do my best to help myself and others and not overuse the societal system for things I do not need. Money is good to the point of bringing food, comfort, ability to be in a safe place. I saw people with too much money having to guard their finances and being afraid of others wanting to exploit them for their things.
I have no expectations from anyone. I work hard and support myself and my family the best I can. Next, I support my friends, my colleagues, and my global family. We can do what we can do. I do not blame anyone who does not help others. I think everyone has the right to live the way they want even if I do not want to live that way.
Implementation
By Karsten Ramser (final section - please see previous parts in our Wed. editions)
There are, of course, no universal recipes for implementing transpersonal awareness in the context of poverty. Therefore, I would simply like to share with you my own way of dealing with poverty.
It is proverbial for our society that when we think of poverty and wealth, we automatically create a link to money.
For me, poverty is primarily a matter of the heart and mind, where peace and happiness reside, not in the outside world. Material goods do not make us happy. We may experience a brief joy in them, but it doesn't last long. To make this clear, I am not an ascetic who lives in a cave and only eats grains. I live in the middle of society; I work, I'm in a committed relationship, I have friends; I make mistakes, and I alternate between tragic and happy moments.
According to the statistics, I am poor, and yet I am a rich man. That is my reality. It wouldn't take much effort for me to become materially rich, and I have made a conscious decision not to pursue material wealth.
I live with the minimum and don't need more. Being rich means owning things, which in turn consumes attention and time. My goal is not material wealth but spiritual maturity, having little suits me very well. Strictly speaking, I only have what I need.
Accommodation, food, internet connection, and the only luxuries I allow myself are my two Apple computers (both older models and second-hand) and a twenty-year-old Citroën (because I live in the countryside in Spain).
I spend my time writing, making art, and helping others develop their consciousness. Having little and consuming little, i.e., being poor, reduces the ecological footprint to a minimum.
My transpersonal consciousness is focused on causing no harm and no suffering; this applies to all living beings and to all things that live. I don't eat meat, not because I am against killing, but because the poor animals suffer endlessly; they live in real poverty. I also don't go on vacation anymore, and I don't use airplanes (except in emergencies).
Likewise, I am deeply convinced that the really important things are not of a material nature, which does not mean that I neglect material things, but rather that a fat bank account does not make you happy, but contemplation does.
If I have more than I need, then I give it to someone who needs it. Simply because we are all one big global family and brothers and sisters help each other.
What has inspired me are the wise people of this world; they don't need material wealth; I have taken my cue from them. And they leave no doubt as to what real wealth is.
Now you can argue that it doesn't change the world, and that's probably true, but it's another drop in the ocean of consciousness. The ocean is made up of drops, and at some point, there may be so many drops that poverty is simply no longer possible. I believe in that, and if I inspire even one person with my example, the change is unstoppable.
Poverty Lessons Part 2.
by Annelise Lords (please see part one in last Wed. edition)
You are in the USA, not Jamaica,” she remarks.
“All of our foods are here, and since Florida and Jamaica have the same climate, all of us have our own backyard garden. We learned to improvise.”
“Ok,” she said, glaring as if she was in distress. “What about hunger? I know your country is a poor country.”
“It’s called a developing country now,” Vanessa corrects her.
“Whatever!” she snaps.
Rolling her eyes at her, Vanessa educates, “Well, hunger teaches us self-control, and strength, it builds our willpower and forces us to plan and economize.”
“How does hunger teach anyone how to plan?”
“Easy, when my Mom cooks, we don’t eat it all at once. We plan for the next day, especially when we have food in abundance. We stretch it out as long as it can go,” Vanessa brags staring into her eyes.
“And what did you learn from that?”
“I picked up a third skill. I could get a job as an economist. All of us are good with our finances.”
“What did you wear because I know if you can’t afford food, you must walk around naked,” she said quickly as anger turned her face red.
“My grandmother is a seamstress. She teaches all of her grandchildren to sew, plus they teach us to sew and embroider in Primary schools in Jamaica.”
“What?” she almost yells.
“We were poor but resourceful,” Vanessa explained. “My Mom had six of us, so we wear many hand-me-downs. Our grandmother alters all of our clothes. Growing up, we designed and sewed everything we wore. We imitate all of the fashion designers. Yes, my Spring ball dress was made by my sister. That’s another skill I picked up from poverty,” Vanessa informs.
“Let me guess,” she said, swaying her head as a smooth wind blew her hair slightly. “You could be a fashion designer.”
“And a seamstress,” Vanessa adds. “I also know the best fabric to use and make whatever I want to.”
“I know you walk barefooted because my Italian leather sandal is more than two thousand dollars,” she boasts, touching Vanessa’s feet under the table. “Plus, I heard my father talking about the Jamaican dollar value nothing against the US.”
“One Uncle was a shoemaker. We can design our shoes from the best fashion designers worldwide with different animal skins we treat and cure ourselves.”
Vanessa said, easing both feet away. “We also learn how to fix our own shoes. That art, none of us mastered.”
“How could poverty teach you so much?”
“Who said I was finished,” Vanessa notified.
“You mean there is more?”
“And you aren’t writing,” Vanessa adds.
(The story will continue next Wed. with part 3)
Thanks for reading,
Dr. Gabriella Kőrösi, Founder
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 | A guest post by
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Annelise, Poverty not only teaches great life skills but also great societal skills. Thank you.
I liked this issue, not that you need my approval. I especially like your approach, Karsten. It would have been helpful to understand better who you are before this series began. But now we know. I like your philosophy as you described it in this issue.