I am reading “Stories II” (2016) by Sri Chinmoy – a collection of instructional and spiritual stories. I am interested how many of the stories have a theme of human greed (we could say – a close brother of human stupidity). One thing I like about these stories is that greed and avarice usually lead to some form of cosmic retaliation and karmic boomerang. Whether it leads to the illumination of the unfortunate, greedy person is not always clear, but it reminds us there is nothing to be gained by a selfish attitude – Generosity, oneness of spirit and kindness are the qualities we should try to cultivate.
In the outer world, greed seems a powerful force, but as these Indian stories remind us – it is not entirely a modern invention – perhaps we just have the technology to do it on a bigger scale. These stories also remind us greed is built on the wrong foundations and will ultimately crumble.
I made a short video with musings on karma. It is an interesting challenge to practise speaking into a video camera!
Stories II includes
- Is your mind ready to cry? Is your heart ready to smile? (10 volumes)
- Amusement I enjoy; Enlightenment I study (8 volumes)
- Life’s bleeding tears and flying smiles (12)
One response to “Greed isn’t good – Stories II by Sri Chinmoy”
Thank you for the comments on avarice. I remember so many times Sri Chinmoy offered amusing, or grieving, stories about miserly people.
My personal view was that, being the Yoga of Sri Chinmoy based so much on self-offering, being miserly, stingy, or just parsimonious, in anything, with others or oneself, is literally at the opposite side of that Path.
In my opinion, I agree with those that feel there are not many qualities more abhorrent to Light that that.