Two streams.

Simple in virtue. Steadfast in duty. 

Simplicity has now become synonymous with stupidity. Whoever coined the term 'simple-minded' to refer to ignorant red-necks or a segment of a populace that refuses to think with their capacities has done an injustice to the principle of simplicity. 

I wrote about what's wrong with having the simplicity of a child's thinking. Children have such clarity and have their priorities about life spot-on. Then I imagine people saying, 'The whole point of growing up is to not be like a child anymore.' Ok, but has anyone challenged that notion? Is that the whole point of growing up? I just realized that we live in a society that is anti-children. We treat children as incomplete people when technically, they are closer to The Light than we are, having had less programming from our misrepresented,highly delusional, collective 'reality'. 

Now, seriously - is there really anything wrong in never owning a car, a big house with a pool and a membership to an exclusive country club? These are just extensions of the imagination and toys we had as a child. Wouldn't it be OK to continue just playing the toy versions instead of covetting the above? Aren't we spending too much time fleshing out our material fantasies instead of answering the questions we asked a child? i.e. "Why did I come to this world?", "How can i make the world a better place?"

I have been torn between the material stream and my spiritual pursuits. Making a lot of money can necessitate a lot of things - but without purpose and vision behind those actions, they will not amount to anything. It is a fact that no amount of money or material things we amass, we can bring with us after we pass by this world. Yet it is also a fact that our deeds, thoughts and actions, impact the world long after we have passed by this world. 

So, how do I choose? Can I taste the fruit that is out of my reach? Didn't Buddha say, wealth, if used properly, is like a pristine lake where everyone can drink from?