Date Posted:14:45 Author: ketch - 27 Jul 2001 Subject: Re: high living on others' heartfelt donations In reply to:
Tom H - 27 Jul 2001
's message, "Re: high living on others' heartfelt donations" on 14:43
There is a story of Lahiri Mahasaya concerning renunciation.
In response to a question from one of his students Lahiri Mahasaya told the man that he must become a renunciant. When the man asked what this meant, and what he had to renounce Lahiri Mahasaya only replied that he must renounce the worldly things which he did not have. The student was unable to understand this council and the next day he again asked Lahiri Mahasaya what he must renounce. Again the Master simply replied that he must renounce all that he did not possess.
The man could still not understand this advice and so he again approached Lahiri Mahasaya and begged him to explain how he could renounce those things which he did not possess. Lahiri Mahasaya laughed and explained that renounciation is about giving up the endless desires for more things. Possessing and enjoying material things in itself is not spiritually harmfull, it is the attachment and desire for more material goods which can poison the spiritual life.
