“Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.” – Erich Fromm, Escape From Freedom

Kabir – The couplet
साधु गाँठ न बंधाई, उदर समाता ले,

आगे पाँचें हरी खड़े, जब मांगे तब दे ||

Transliterated:
Sadhu gaanTh na bandhaai, udar samaata le |
aage paanche Hari kHade, jab maange tab de ||

Translation:
The knowing one (enlightened one) does not tie the self down with possessions, taking only as much as is needed |
He knows that the Lord is all around, providing as soon as the need arises||

My understanding:
Greed, and not need, seems to be the driving force in our life today. We want, but care little for what we are giving up satisfying our thirst for “more”. This has led to our situation of extreme hunger amid plenty.

Today, our knowledge and innovation has taught us to produce more, create much more from the same set of resources, and be able to expand our presence into much larger spaces at the same time with the use of technology.

However, our greed is training us to limit and shutter access to this knowledge and resources, so that the individual can collect more – even if most of the collections are gathering dust an demanding more from the collector for their preservation.

As Nietzsche said, “Even the most beautiful scenery is no longer assured of our love after we have lived in it for three months, and some distant coast attracts our avarice: possessions are generally diminished by possession.”

So, let things be where they are, seek only that which is absolutely necessary, and suddenly you will find yourself swimming in the river of plenty, instead of struggling in the desert of desire.

Seek not more than you need