When I see my friends with cool things, I envy them a lot. I would go and buy similar things just to keep up with them and be satisfied for a while. But then, I get a sense of emptiness afterwards. Recently, my friends talked me into buying a luxury car, but I had to let it go because I couldn’t keep up with the running costs. The only feeling left was my regret of spending money on unnecessary things, and at the same time, I’m tired of myself repeating the same thing over and over. (Male in his 20s)
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People have greed, and it isn’t necessarily a bad thing to have. We try to reach for higher places because we have greed. But the important thing is to know your parameters and have the correct greed that fits you.
What we need to reach out for are not the wealth felt in the abundance of goods, but the spiritual wealth—the mindfulness. Things with form tend to get old and eventually, you can’t use them anymore. However, the thoughts put into that will never go away. What’s important is to treasure the kokoro put into it. For example, “I’m still using these gloves because my mother made these for me.” If you can see the importance of this, you can what is truly valuable.
Moreover, honing your strengths to be useful for society and making use of it is the most important and valuable thing.
Shinji
—Use the kokoro to hone your unmei—
Your kokoro will naturally be filled with a strong will and you will become a person who can live with honesty and sincerity.
Never be pushed by people’s words; wish to Kami for a kokoro to simply give back to the world (society) with an honesty and sincerity.
Each one of us are given something good and the strengths we have are different among us. That is why you shouldn’t race against with others, but to do and to focus on the things you can do with an honest and sincere heart. First of all, believe in your strength, and use them generously when people desire them from you. The more you learn the teachings of Kami, your willingness to give back to society will come forth. There, you will be able to gain true confidence about yourself. And that confidence is something you will never be able to experience by possessing expensive things.