Re: Happiness - material restriction (MR)

[Guest guest]

Greg,

MR, as you call it, has been practiced for millenia under the name

" asceticism " . It has also been used for political/religious purposes

to prevent riots and revolutions by fostering the idea that physical

deprivation results in greater spiritual gain. These thoughts are

very far from the mind of our spoiled generation accustomed to cut

forests, drive gas guzzlers, and produce unbounded waste.

There are many economic forces against asceticism. It is un-American

and non-capitalistic. How will the car companies and oil companies

make a profit if people start renouncing material goods? Our whole

economy will collapse!

Ironically yours,

Tony

===

An intersting article:

http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/a/asceticism.html

Asceticism is the practice of austere self-discipline, voluntary

undertaken, in order to achieve a higher or spiritual ideal.

Asceticism in its broadest sense is man's practice of renunciation of

his physical self and world in order to attain a higher ideal or

spiritual good; in summary, it's the renunciation of the physical,

which has been deemed of lesser worth, for the spiritual. This has

been the teaching of most cultural and almost explicitly all religious

training. It is true almost every society from the primitive to the

most sophisticated teach some type of asceticism to teach self-control

that is expected from its members without which the society could not

exist.

===

From: " Greg Ham " <gdham@m...>

Date: Fri Feb 18, 2005 12:13 pm

Subject: Re: Happiness

[snip]

CRON is all about learning to do without. Of course in today's world

doing with less food is a conscious choice and not an indication of

our level of wealth.

[snip]

Maybe someone should develop a " material restriction " (MR) lifestyle

or is that minimalism. A deliberate choice to have less and want less.

CRON makes for a healthy body, maybe MR would make for a healthy mind

and spirit?

[Guest guest]

Hey Tony

So I'm not the first person to think of this! ;-)

I think a little economic collapse might do us some good! Well maybe an

economic " readjustment " . Based on the time I spent with my grandfather, I

think that we were able to win WWII only because the people fighting that

war had been conditioned by the great depression. They were hardened souls

who knew how to make sacrifices and persevere onward to the final goal. Not

so sure we'd be able to do the same today.

I wish I could hear " asceticism " pronounced. I'd be afraid to try it in a

conversation as I might embarrass myself.

In addition to this CRON group I also belong to several amateur boat

building groups. I find that the people in this group and the boat building

groups tend to be very atypical when compared to most Americans. They

seemed to approach life with out regard for being " normal " . The guys in the

boat groups (not many women) are into finding cheaper and easier ways to

enjoy nature and get out on the water. Often the discussions wander off

into philosophy and politics. I'm often surprised at the quality of the

discussions.

I bet this group is full of unique and intelligent individuals. I find that

where I live being anything other than " normal " is not good. I have to

search hard to find kindred spirits and all too often I'm surrounded by

super-consumers masquerading as Barbie and Ken. Even in the most simple

conversations with Barbie and Ken they can tell that I don't belong in their

" mall " . That's OK I'm never offended I just think maybe if they heard

something different they might take an interest in it.

Well I really enjoy reading this group and I don't post often but knowing

that there are other people out there walking the less traveled path

encourages me.

Greg

" You have no shopping agenda! " , 'Mall Rats' (a movie)

----- Original Message -----

From: " citpeks " <citpeks@...>

< >

Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 12:38 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: Happiness - " material restriction " (MR)

>

>

> Greg,

>

> MR, as you call it, has been practiced for millenia under the name

> " asceticism " . It has also been used for political/religious purposes

> to prevent riots and revolutions by fostering the idea that physical

> deprivation results in greater spiritual gain. These thoughts are

> very far from the mind of our spoiled generation accustomed to cut

> forests, drive gas guzzlers, and produce unbounded waste.

>

> There are many economic forces against asceticism. It is un-American

> and non-capitalistic. How will the car companies and oil companies

> make a profit if people start renouncing material goods? Our whole

> economy will collapse!

>

> Ironically yours,

> Tony

>

> ===

> An intersting article:

> http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/a/asceticism.html

>

> Asceticism is the practice of austere self-discipline, voluntary

> undertaken, in order to achieve a higher or spiritual ideal.

>

> Asceticism in its broadest sense is man's practice of renunciation of

> his physical self and world in order to attain a higher ideal or

> spiritual good; in summary, it's the renunciation of the physical,

> which has been deemed of lesser worth, for the spiritual. This has

> been the teaching of most cultural and almost explicitly all religious

> training. It is true almost every society from the primitive to the

> most sophisticated teach some type of asceticism to teach self-control

> that is expected from its members without which the society could not

> exist.

>

> ===

> From: " Greg Ham " <gdham@m...>

> Date: Fri Feb 18, 2005 12:13 pm

> Subject: Re: Happiness

> [snip]

> CRON is all about learning to do without. Of course in today's world

> doing with less food is a conscious choice and not an indication of

> our level of wealth.

> [snip]

> Maybe someone should develop a " material restriction " (MR) lifestyle

> or is that minimalism. A deliberate choice to have less and want less.

> CRON makes for a healthy body, maybe MR would make for a healthy mind

> and spirit?

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>