What if Money Was No Object?

What would you do with your life if money was no object?

Watch this great video of Alan Watts' advice on the subject.
Then go read A Story of Money. 

Causes of Violence

Where there is no emotion,
there is no motive for violence.
- the character Spock in the Star Trek television series

Is the above quote true? What are the real causes of violence?

At first hearing, the Spock quote seems to ring true. A look at the front page of any newspaper would tend to confirm that the world's violent conflicts are caused by emotions run amok: White/Black hatred, Christian/Muslim hatred, Sunni/Shia hatred. A look at individual violence also shows most to have a cause based in emotions: people kill others they are angry with far more often than they commit strong-arm robbery simply out of greed.

On the other hand, non-emotional violence for the purpose of theft has also been around as long as humankind. Think of the Mongols conquering most of Asia  - highly violent, but not emotionally based. Or think of the conquests of Alexander the Great. While it shows up less often in modern life, theft/greed is also a major cause of both personal and institutional violence.


Other perspectives on violence:

The cause of violence ... is self-interest.
- William Sloane Coffin, Jr.

War does not determine who is right -
only who is left.
- Bertrand Russell

Greed and Betrayal

Reader's question: I am having trouble getting past others' greed and betrayal. It is worse than a cancer...how do you get past that?

My answer:

1. Understand that others are not "out to get you." People tend to be fearful, self-centered, and greedy - but their actions are seldom "about you," so don't take their actions personally.

2. Avoid anger, and especially avoid thoughts of revenge. Those thoughts only hurt yourself. Forgive others for their fears and weaknesses.

3. Cultivate your true friends.

4. Honor and trust your own values. Never lower your own standards.

5. Never lose faith in yourself, or faith in the goodness of Creation.

Don't Take Anything Personally.
Nothing others do is because of you.
- Miguel Angel Ruiz (don Miguel Ruiz)

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal
with the intent of throwing it at someone else;
you are the one who gets burned.
- The Buddha

While seeking revenge, dig two graves -
one for yourself.
- Douglas Horton