Deepavali message from Acharya Vivek

As the whole world begins preparing for Dipavali next week, everywhere we read and everywhere we write shubha (Peace) and labha (prosperity)...  

Do we mean it though?  

Do we actually want shubha?  

If we could trade in shubha for more labha would we?

Maybe we need to think more thoroughly about what our relationship with materials is.  Our REALITY CHECK...err...our E-Vichara...

E-Vichara (November 2, 2015) --- Vedanta IS Antimaterialism

• Vedanta says focus on being Purusha (Spirit) which is Purnatva (Complete) - worldliness says focus on being prakriti (materials) which is alpa (incomplete)
• Vedanta says focus on following the path of light which is built with values - worldliness says focus on following the path of darkness which is built with valuables
• Vedanta says focus on choosing shreyas (Peace) which is a long-term investment - worldliness says focus on choosing preyas (pleasure) which is a short-term expense
• Vedanta says focus on raising the standard of life encompassing the upper portions of Maslow's Pyramid - worldliness says focus on raising the standard of living encompassing the lower portions of Maslow's Pyramid 
• Vedanta says focus on developing independence which is not about possessing or not possessing rather is about projecting or not projecting - worldliness says focus on developing independence by possessing more regardless of the inevitability of becoming possessed and possessive 
• Vedanta says focus on understanding how comforts (power, possession and pleasure) are just means to Contentment (Peace), the end - worldliness says focus on understanding how comforts (power, possession and pleasure) are the means and the end

Are you being, following, choosing, raising, developing and understanding shubha or labha...?

Reflection Adventure of the Week (RAW):  Finish reading this paragraph.  Now open the website of a charity you feel is doing pure work and donate an uncomfortable amount.  In the message field write, "Simple living, high thinking."

Laughing Adventure of the Week (LAW):  I asked God for a bike but I know God doesn't work that way.  So I stole a bike instead and asked God for forgiveness!