The Tao of Having Just Enough
Embracing Our Financial Needs with Zen-Like Calm
Life, it seems, has a peculiar way of turning our pockets into echo chambers of financial despair. For me, money has in recent years been an elusive specter, dancing just out of reach, taunting me with its cruel nature.
In a world where wealth is often seen as the ultimate measure of success, I find myself comfortably ensconced in a state of perpetual scarcity. And perhaps, therein lies a strange, paradoxical wisdom—one that Taoism graciously offers as a balm to our fiscal wounds.
Money, much like the Tao, is ephemeral. It flows in and out of our lives with a capriciousness that defies our attempts at control. Yet, unlike the Tao, our modern society venerates money with an almost religious fervor, attributing to it powers far beyond its true nature.
We’ve allowed ourselves to be seduced by the illusion of permanence that money seemingly provides, forgetting that, like everything else, it too is subject to the inexorable law of change.
Zhuangzi, that ancient sage of paradoxes, offers a profound insight:
“Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness.”
In this context, happiness can be seen as the absence of the relentless pursuit of wealth. My financial woes, viewed through this lens, become less a source of torment and more a curious teacher. They remind me of the impermanence of all things, urging me to find contentment in what I have rather than despair in what I lack.
The Tao Te Ching tells us,
“He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.”
This is not merely a platitude, but a radical shift in perspective. My frugal existence, while not by choice, has taught me the value of simplicity.
I have become too comfortable with so little in my pocket, and while this might seem pitiable to some, it has also liberated me from the insidious grasp of materialism. The fewer possessions I have, the less there is to lose, and in that minimalism, I find a peculiar freedom.
Yet, despite this acceptance, there lingers a hope—a quiet, persistent hope that someone will come to my rescue, to whisk me away from my financial doldrums.
This hope, however, is a double-edged sword. It keeps me buoyant in moments of despair but also chains me to the illusion that my salvation lies in the hands of another.
Taoism gently nudges me to see through this illusion, to realize that true rescue comes from within, from embracing the way of the Tao and finding peace in the midst of uncertainty.
In our pursuit of financial peace, Eastern philosophy offers us several guiding principles. First, we must recognize the illusory nature of wealth.
Money is not a measure of our worth, nor is it a reliable source of lasting happiness. It is but a tool, a means to an end, and not the end itself. Detaching from the belief that money equates to happiness frees us to seek joy in simpler, more enduring things.
Second, we can cultivate a mindset of abundance by embracing gratitude. When we focus on what we have, rather than what we lack, we shift our energy from a state of scarcity to one of sufficiency. This doesn’t mean we ignore our financial realities, but rather, we learn to find contentment within them.
The Taoist concept of wu wei, or effortless action, teaches us to flow with life’s currents rather than constantly struggle against them. By accepting our financial situation without resistance, we open ourselves to creative solutions that might otherwise remain obscured.
Lastly, we must practice mindfulness in our spending and earning. Taoism emphasizes living in harmony with nature, which includes being mindful of our resources. When we spend thoughtfully and earn ethically, we align ourselves with the natural order of the Tao. This not only brings us peace but also fosters a sense of integrity and purpose.
So, while life may be cruel in its financial caprices, it also offers us profound lessons in resilience and acceptance. My philosophical rants and riffing about money are not mere complaints, but invitations for us all to look deeper, to see beyond the surface of material lack and find the hidden treasures of the soul.
By embracing the ephemeral nature of money and finding peace amid our financial woes, we can navigate the turbulent waters of life with grace and equanimity, ever mindful of the Tao’s gentle whisper:
“Be still, and know that enough is enough.”
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Diamond Michael Scott aka The Chocolate Taoist
You do not want someone to come to your financial rescue if I read you right because you do not want to owe anyone in return. You value your independence from materialism and that can be costly. I know there are those who believe there are ways to manifest an abundant mind-set which in turn produces more real money even without knowing ahead of time where it may originate.
My take is to start with a question of How much is enough? What amount would it take to sustain you with a level of comfort and convenience which would be acceptable and provide you with contentment and a measure of security and satisfaction? Then perhaps focus on ways to produce that which are in concert with your philosophy and practice. I admire your zen calm stance and since you are a good writer, perhaps that's an avenue to consider. A book? Magazine articles that pay?
I'll share a story from when I was about 10. My Dad was in the wholesale grocery business. It was 1947, right after WWII. He wanted to teach me something about sales, profit, and earning money. He brought home a case, which I think was either 12 or 24 small cans of Renuzit spot remover. He helped me work on a pitch and then sent me out into the neighborhood to knock on doors and try to sell a can for a reasonable profit. I don't remember checking stores to see what the going price was nor do I remember how much I charged. What I took away was that it was hard work, I did not want to pursue a career in sales or in retail merchandising, and I didn't think I earned enough to make it a worthwhile endeavor to continue. Then, later on, when I needed more money to support myself and a growing family, I took all kinds of odd jobs, part-time to make some extra to sustain us, especially when I was a poor graduate student with 3 little kids. For what it's worth, that's a small part of my story. I worked on farms, drove busses and trucks and bought and sold antiques. None of those were career related. There's much more and many details over many years.
You captured my financial reality for the last few years as well! Within this situation, so many lessons have emerged around money and I’m practicing accepting while being open to opportunities that may bring change…without striving. What a dance! 💃🏻 thank you for sharing your story…it helped me to feel less alone. A deep bow and a lotus for you 🙏🪷