Suppose we come to our home and are starving. We see some food in our fridge and devour it all, even though it is more than what we need. But suppose we come with someone else who is as hungry as we are. When we open the fridge, we will naturally consider the other person and will divide the food appropriately. Indeed, in most cultures across the world, commensality or the act of eating together is an important social practice; it fosters a sense of sharing and caring. When we think of others’ needs, then satisfying our greed doesn’t seem enjoyable or even acceptable. 

This principle is universal, though we don’t always see that our greed deprives others of their need. We need to contemplate that the resources provided by the earth are finite; if we exploit those resources disproportionately because of greed, others won’t have enough. By such contemplation, if we sensitize ourselves to others’ needs, then giving up greed will become easier. 

Still, if the grip of greed on us is very strong, then not pandering to it can feel like deprivation. How can we overcome such feelings? Gita wisdom helps us develop our consciousness spiritually so that we see that we all are parts of the whole, Krishna. We understand that serving others, seeing them as his parts, is a way of serving him and nourishing our core, just as pouring water at the root of a tree nourishes all the parts of the tree. Pertinently, the Bhagavad-gita (05.21) assures that when we become internally focused and spiritually connected, external cravings decline and disappear. 

Thus, when we care for others’ needs with a devotional service attitude, then we experience a sublime spiritual satisfaction that makes greed more resistible.

Think it over:

  • Thinking of others’ need decreases our urge to satisfy our greed. How? Explain with an example.
  • How does pandering to our greed deprive others of their need?
  • How can spiritual wisdom help us give up greed?

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05.21: Such a liberated person is not attracted to material sense pleasure but is always in trance, enjoying the pleasure within. In this way the self-realized person enjoys unlimited happiness, for he concentrates on the Supreme.

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