How to overcome Greediness?

The antonym of greed is contentment. The more contentment there is, the less greed remains. However, one cannot forcibly maintain contentment. The level of true understanding one has determines the natural extent of contentment. Alternatively, if one has already experienced countless material pleasures in past lives, then today, they may naturally feel content and have no desire for anything.

Everyone wants to be wealthy. But we usually consider someone with piles of money to be rich. Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan gives a unique definition of a wealthy person, one who earns as much money as needed and spends as much as needed, without facing any obstacles, is indeed wealthy. When such understanding prevails, greediness does not occur. But in reality, no matter how much wealth one earns, satisfaction never comes. People leave their villages and move to cities in search of livelihood. Many of them earn a great deal after coming to the city. Yet, even after earning billions, no one ever says, “I came here to earn money; now I’ve earned enough, I don’t need to earn anymore!” You will never find anyone in this world who has stopped after earning enough money. The satisfaction that comes from wealth lasts only for a moment! Soon, desires overtake and the feeling of contentment fades away. True satisfaction means that no new desire arises ever again!

Happiness doesn’t last for the one who has greediness. The lesser the possessions and the greater the contentment, the more peace there is in life! When possessions increase, if they are lost, burnt, or stolen, sorrow and unrest immediately arise within us. The entire day then passes, absorbed in thoughts of greed upon greed. Even while eating-drinking, dressing, or resting, the mind does not remain at ease.

One who has no desires at all is completely free from kashays (inner enemies of anger, pride, deceit and greed)! When one does not want anything, when every knot of greed has been broken, then infinite bliss prevails within. Let’s now go through how to overcome greed forever.

Greed decreases by giving

Saint Kabir has said that,

“Khaay pi khilay de, kar le apna kaam,
chalti vakhat re naro, sang na chale badam!”

Meaning: “Eat, drink, give to others, and fulfill your duties,
When the time comes to depart, nothing, not even an almond will go with you!”

No one has ever taken money with them after death. If it were possible to take money along, no one would ever leave it behind for their children. The one who truly knows how to live is the one who gives away what they have for a good cause. Otherwise, when death eventually comes, everything will be taken away anyway. What will really come along? Whatever joy we have brought to others’ hearts, that will come along. Therefore, to get rid of greediness, from the wealth we earn, we should set aside a portion for our needs and use the rest for good causes. When we spend on religious pilgrimages, donate towards building temples, feed the hungry, or help establish hospitals, then greed begins to dissolve. But if we waste our wealth in indulgence and luxury, it ultimately flows down the drain.

To break the knot of greed, it’s fine to let money pass through your hands, but don’t let your hands become sticky. In other words, don’t develop such a deep attachment to money that you can’t let it go. The joy you feel while earning money should be the same joy you feel while spending it. Never say, “Oh, so much has been spent!” Instead of living in fear that money will be used up, spend it on various causes so that it helps you overcome greediness and allows you to spend again and again.

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan says that both poverty and excessive wealth are harmful, what is needed is normality. It is better to be empty handed but being a king of hearts! For example, when you go to the market to buy vegetables or anything else, accept the price it is offered at and buy it without bargaining. Years ago, He showed a practical solution to a person, “Every day, go and spend fifteen to twenty rupees on small, trivial expenses! When the mind starts to complain loudly, then after a week, spend a larger amount, say one hundred rupees, that will calm the mind.” At that time, one hundred rupees had significant value. Once you begin the practice of giving, the mind gradually expands.

What should a human life be like? It should be spent for the welfare of others, for the benefit of all. Even the Tirthankaras, though they were universal monarchs with kingdoms, wealth, and queens, gave up everything and set out on their spiritual journey! For the welfare of themselves and others. This is called life. We’ve spent countless lifetimes for the sake of a few people in our family, now let's spend at least one lifetime for the benefit of others!

One who has set a high goal of service in life such as, “How can I make people happy? How can I help others in their lives?” will surely receive wealth as a by-product! This is because God resides within every human being. Serving humans is equivalent to worshiping God. And where Lord Narayan is pleased, Goddess Lakshmi will also be pleased!

Money will come only as much as it is destined to. Whether we turn to the path of dharma (that which helps the self and others) or adharma (that which is against the benefit of living beings), money will still come. However, if used in unrighteous ways, wealth will be misused and lead to sorrow; whereas if used righteously, it will be well utilized and bring happiness.

Right understanding during a loss

Lakshmi (wealth) is fickle by nature. What exists today may be gone in two years. Today there will be profit tomorrow there could be loss. Therefore, one should not place too much reliance on it. Instead, cultivate true understanding to deal wisely during times of loss.

A greedy person has two teachers. One is deceit and the other is loss. Attachment to money does not diminish even when trying. But when a severe loss occurs, the knot of greed breaks down all at once! Or if someone deceives, such a person realizes that it would have been better to have used the money in a righteous way.

Upon suffering a financial loss, a greedy person is unable to remain calm neither internally nor externally. For example, if an expensive cup and saucer is broken by a servant, a greedy person may scold the servant. But if a cheap clay pot breaks, then it doesn’t affect that much. The greater the value we assign to an object, the more it affects us. Therefore, one should devalue the importance of things.

If a person who is entitled to twenty-five lakh rupees is cheated out of just fifty thousand rupees and is controlled by greediness, inner turmoil immediately begins! At that moment, if one keeps in mind that their total capital was actually only twenty-four and a half lakh rupees, the disturbance does not arise.

During a business slowdown, when financial pressures arise such as paying income tax, sales tax, or having to pay employees’ salaries people start thinking, “Should I do this or that?” At such times, if one acts hastily, driven by greediness, everything gets messed up. Impatience only increases the puzzle. Instead, if we remain patient, the path forward emerges easily. When a major loss occurs, it is our duty to make efforts with a positive mind set. But worrying about it day and night is a mistake. Doing so only strengthens the knot of greed, creating more bondage instead of freeing us.

Greed loosens through repentance

When greed arises in eating, drinking, or clothing, one can overcome it by cursing one’s own greed. If one feels pleased by saving money, they should reprimand themselves, thinking, “Oh no, this is what you have done? How is this any good? Does this suit you?” Giving oneself such a corrective jolt helps loosen the grip of greediness.

When greed arises, repenting also helps to gradually loosen its knot. If, driven by greediness, one has taken others’ money through lies, committed theft or deceit, engaged in corruption, or wrongfully claimed what isn’t theirs, then recalling all such incidents and asking for forgiveness, resolving not to repeat the mistake also loosens the knot of greed. Because such misdeeds are not caught by others on the outside, but in the records of nature, such offenses are noted down!