Do you believe less is better?
 

Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Muhammad, John the Baptist, Quakers, Dalai Lama, Mohandas Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and many others all had something in common. They all lived simple ascetic lives.

This allowed them to concentrate exclusively on the spiritual or intellectual life of the mind.

Is that the all important lesson to be learned, that less is better?

What would they think of the way most people celebrate holidays today, like Thanksgiving and Christmas?

What can we do to become more aligned with their lifestyle?

yes

I want it all.

No.

:ohdear: I hope this isn't a convoluted path to begin pounding the drum about obesity…….. again.

Must not be less is better when one Observes the majesty many in high places in religion live......too much pomp and little circumstance.

They set a very bad example of living the "more" lifestyle!!

In your opinion, why would we want to be more aligned with their life styles? They probably celebrated occasions in their lives.

It is better than what we have now?

Z

Frankly, I would prefer the lifestyle of say Donald Trump, a Rothschild, Roosevelt or even a Kennedy to one of needless, perhaps even senseless, deprivation.

It depends on less of what. Less love, kindness and politeness are not better.

Less hate, murder and anger is better.

I don't know how much of an ascetic life Jesus lived. As far as I know, he ate everything that those around him ate, and he drank wine. The only thing that I know that he abstained from was sex. Is less sex better? I don't know.

Less money better? I don't think so.Less food better? At what point. For the millions of starving people around the world, less food is not better.

We're about to find out; moving from a 2,500 sq. ft. home in KC to a 1,600 sq. ft. one in TV. Every time we rented a home in AZ or AR it has been a smaller home and we really like them.

Seriously, I grew up as poor as a church mouse but we always had plenty of food from the garden, decent clothes to wear and parents who did everything they could for my brother and I. An ex-wife darn near broke me but my wife and I have built up a pretty good retirement and plan to spend my kids inheritance living in TV.

More is good. I want it all quite frankly.

Not me. The more we got, the more shelves I had to build. I must have told my kids one hundred times the lesson I learned from Thoreau's Walden Pond: You don't own the cow, the cow owns you.
Two out of three were listening.

Les who?

Les Moore

As Tennessee Ernie Ford used to say: bless your pea pickin little heart.

I remember that. I can see him sitting on that stool at the end of the show. thank-you
I never understood what he meant. I'm from New Jersey.

You nailed that one, Uptown Girl. Happy Thanksgiving.

Does yuh supphose that culd bee Gary Moore's kid or kinfoak ?

Bless his or her little heart is typically a little put down in the South. I don't think TEF meant it that way though. I'm from MA but have been south since 1979. Bless my little heart!

Does he have a crew cut?

More is better when you are talking about ammunition

Depends on the caliber, doesn't it?

Yes it does. Good aim is important as well.

I can help anyone one the path to less.
I have a quick move removal plan for you.

I think it is a matter of not being ruled by your money or possessions.

Back in the day I always wanted more, now I just want enough.

Thank you!

Haha very funny
I believe that less is more when it comes to the application of perfume and after shave

It could be about carrying less grudge-baggage from the past.

:)

That's a stretch- ha! :) but I will give you this much- carrying less 'grudge-baggage' as you call it, benefits one's one's entire being.

A 'simple ascetic' lifestyle is more about severely restricting yourself from every material satisfaction for religious purposes.

My "baggage" is so big it comes with wheels.

oooops--- i thought grudge baggage was just another name for plain old "baggage" that most of us carry. so i edited.
i don't carry any grudges of wrongdoings. for one, i can't even remember them.

A grudge is something no one should hold
It tends to make the kindest cold
It will change your day
From happy to bad
It will consume the mind
until surley you have gone mad
A Grudge is something that poisons the soul
Taking over the mind and body until you have no control
A grudge is a monstrous creature
That hungers for revenge
This hunger won't cease till your dying end
Grudges steal away your mind
They rob you of your thoughts
People will abandon you for you have been long lost
So live a life full of love and not hate
For if you choose the path of the grudge
Your life will end a cruel fate
For 'you can't shake a hand with a closed fist'
And a grudge is all you'll be left with

Many of our generation grew up "poor" by today's standards. At the time, we didn't know or feel poor. That said, most of us worked hard and saved---making sacrifices for retirement. At this point, most of us don't want less---we already had less.

Bottom line, more good health for ourselves and friends is more important than more "material things" at this point in our lives.

How is that working out for you? Life offers lots of options and we usually have to choose among them. You can be single, married or have multiple marriages. You can live in the city or rural area.

One good profession may be better (more effective) than multiple professions.

To concentrate on that which is most essential to you, whatever that may be.

VPL, I think you're taking TVC's post too LITerally.

They knew how to eliminate non essentials so as to concentrate on what was most important to them. It doesn't mean you can't have wealth. Warren Buffett concentrated on what was most important to him and became a very successful (wealthy) investor. It means learning to say no to things that don't contribute to whatever your goal is.

:agree:

Another thread where the question is akin to, "how many angels dance on the head of a pin".

If one expresses any thoughts on this question, you can be assured of a rejoinder. :D

Oh wait, that's happened already. :smiley:

Hit it on the head.

Use your possessions to support your family and give to genuine charities.