How can one become un-materialistic?

Question

I hate that I can be shallow about material possessions -- but how do you change your thoughts from naturally going 'there' ?

Answer 1

Well, lets get a little more realistic. Lets start someplace today and that someplace should be simple. Lets look at your activities. Are you a social shopper? If so, start asking your friends to do others things when you hang out. Instead of going to the mall, watch a movie at home, go swimming, lay out, start jogging, do yoga or take a hike if you live near some hiking trails. Trust me there are a million ... no, two million ... things to do that cost zero money.

Next, figure out all the things you need to make your life comfortably livable and then seperate all the stuff that you truly can live without. Have a huge garage sale! No, don't give the money away, silly. Put it in the bank and start a 401K savings plan. You DO plan to grow old someday, right? If you are young and you got on this now, imagine not having to work after you are 30 or 40! Retire early and travel the world. Materialism is not the same as widely travelled and culturally rich.

Living modestly is simple and, surprisingly, enriching. Why? Well, when you are not distracted by all the glitter, 500 channels, 50 stores, latest fashions, highlights, new shoes, latest restaurant, etc, etc., you learn to focus on you. Some people find that pretty scary at first, like, without the material stuff, there is no one interesting underneath! Don't worry. Discovering you is an ongoing process.

There are some resources that might help you get a handle on this. Look in the library for books about topics that you have always been interesteed in and groups that meet to do things that dont focus around going to the mall. You don't have to give up your friends, but you might find you are making new friends as you develop new interests. And just because you are not going to be materialistic, doesn't mean all your friends will understand. There might be a little estrangement from a few people as you make a new life choice. It is always that way for brave people who chose the road less travelled.

Becoming non-materialistic is not giving everything away. It is learning what is necessary to live the life you want and softly sloughing off the rest so you have time, space and energy to focus on the important stuff ... the real stuff that makes you an interesting person that doesn't have to have a Gucci bag to feel like a somebody.

Good luck with your journey.

Answer 2

Think of Job, from the old testament. He was very rich, and blessed by God. He was honoured, as were many in the old testament, for being blessed by God in receiving these 'material' things. What made him great was that he never put material before God. It's only when worldly gets before God, then you are living the materialistic life.
Remember your allegances first. To Ceaser what is Ceaser's, and such. Jesus asked his disciples to leave behind their possessions so that he would be first thing in their minds. He understood how hard any distractions can be to put aside, or even second.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Everyday, give away some "thing" that you are materially attached to but that you don't actually need to survive. Notice how the absense of the thing opens up a new space in your life and your mind.

Start with things that you have been hanging on to for a long time that you really do not need and move up the chain to things that you use all the time, but do not really need to live, like your TV or furniture or clothes (well you should keep some of your clothes, you don't want to get arrested). : )

Answer 5

Just change your thoughts. It's called the power of choice. If you don't want to be a certain way, then change. If you don't like the way you're living, then change. If you're unhappy in a relationship, get out. It's okay to want things, but when you go overboard, you lose touch with what's real and important in life. You can't bring it with you when you die, so just slow your role.

Answer 6

Wonderful question. Many of us have been seeking the path and trying to live our realizations. I can only speak of myself, and yes I still have many materialistic wants. But I realize that this is a process and as such it is going to unfold at its own pace. First thing is to know why is it that you want to be free from desire? Are you trying to escape something? what are your motivations? Does it make you feel good? Be true to your self and listen and be aware of your thought process. One can have/use materialistic things and still be "unmaterialistic" it your mental state. Accept that there is something that keeps wanting (don't hate). Then be aware of the pattern, if you get the thing that you want are you satisfied, or do you move on to the next thing (obviously you arleady know this that one keeps on hankering and we never get the pleasure that we think we are going to get from material things). If you ar interested there are some interesting books I have posted in the source list. Also, try Vipassana meditation. There are many (and I amongest them) that this spiritual path (not religious) has helped. Try this website to find out more:
http://www.dhamma.org/

Hope this helps. May you find true happiness and peace. With metta

Answer 7

material things only fullfil something deeper. like being the one to have it...sometimes just to be better than some others or jealousy that someone has something you don't. i never cared much for those things. i see people whom have never used a phone before and there world hasn't fallen apart. the world makes us believe we need these things as part of everyday living,but the truth is it all about the benjamins....if you want to become unmaterialisctic...drop the cell phone for a day...turn off the t.v. go outside and you'll see a whole new world.

Answer 8

I think you should remember that you were put here on this earth with nothing and you will leave this earth with nothing , its all about the little things that people take for granted the simple things , like walks on the beach ,smelling the roses, enjoying the things that are so simple that people dont do in more .Everyone is worried about who has what and what the can get that is better then the other person has . Life is to short . take it one day at a time and start apprecaiting the little things. My dad always told me that I was the richest person in the world as long as I have the love ,caring ,giving and forgivness in my heart ,because no one take it away , buy it ,or sell it It is something you have to be willing to give without asking or expecting something in return.

Answer 9

Just live simply. No cable TV, no cell phones with internet access (or maybe a cell phone at all). Too many people get all hooked into gadgets and its not only materialistic, it's very expensive. As you simplify your life you will probably save a lot of money which will give you more options.

Answer 10

Practice. Remind yourself as often as you can that something is just a THING and nothing else. Try getting rid of things that you're less attached to and donating them to a Goodwill or Salvation Army. You will slowly start breaking down your materilism while also helping those less fortunate which will be a great feeling! Good luck!