Is it possible to live a happy life without material possessions?

Question

It seems everything is about money...is it possible to live without it?

Answer 1

There are degrees of materialism.
To be totally non materialistic would define a complete isolationist who is content living under a rock out in nature.

I personally love some of my material things. Compared to some people my life would appear simple. To others I would be viewed as having great wealth. I have a car. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Three TV's Food, clothing, heat, water, air conditioning, clothing to spare. etc.

Compared to others I live a simple uncomplicated life. (except for the fact that I have three computers)

Thus, I consider myself to have all that I need and then some. It is all subjective.

I have also been part of the world where there is great wealth. And believe me after being in a bad marriage with lots of money, trips, cars, homes, etc, I was less happy becasue there was a lack of trust and love. I would still rather live under the freeway in a cardborad box with a good man than in a mansion with a bad one.

Answer 2

Living Without Possessions

Answer 3

Say, for example I say, I will be happy if I get to own a home. Then I get it. But I will start thinking, I will be happy if I get to furnish it well, then I get it. Now I think, it will be better if I get married and live here wiht my spouse. I do. Then I think, I will be happy if I have a child. God blesses me with one. Now I think, i will be happy if I give my child good education... and so on and on and on.

When we start a frenzy for material possessions, we will never be happy, b'cas the human mind will always long for one thing more! But when we start feeling satisfied with whatever we have, we start feeling happy.

However, you need a little to fulfil the basic necessities of life. The problem arises only when you go mad behind it. Therefore if you have a mind that says,"I am happy!This is enough", I think you can live a happy life without real material possessions

Answer 4

Your mind and your programs tell you what to want, desire.
Your mind weighs these against what you have, what others have and then tells you you're happy or not.
If you're figuring with such a mind your limited capacity for joy will take you to the point of happiness of that philosophy.
In the wiser books that tell you of what your consciousness is about, in the wiser religions which tell you what the universe is about, in the prolonged meditations which allow you to feel whole without material things
in all these ways of realization:
discoveries, connections, agape love, music, inner talents, meeting humans far above the idea of the material , talking or listening to God in quiet moments, understanding beyond the everyday programs each thing or person seen, finding your gift to the world etc., etc. etc
happiness, contentment, satisfaction, evolves and is with you daily.
Money comes Money goes. You use it as best you can.
Spirit comes and it will stay. You use it as best you can.
One of the ideas just popped in my head for joy/happiness is learning another language so understanding increases and also music a language that is phenomenal, not just to hear but to play and invent and intertwined with other talents of people you have.

Answer 5

In America I think that it is highly unrealistic, however why not scale down a bit? You could certainly live a simpler life therefore giving up some of your posessions or luxuries. Get rid of your TV, stop wearing jewelry, eat simple foods that you cook yourself, walk instead of driving whenever you can, trade with people online for things instead of always buying new stuff ( www.craigslist.org ). There are people all around the world who choose to live a simpler life. And many succeed.

Answer 6

YES...

It´s true that most of our life´s focused on habing more and more and wanting more.. the more you have the more you want..

but it´s really possible to have a complete life in which the money and material possesions don´t take first place in our life. You can even ask many wealthy people if they feel they have everything and it they are full.. they ain´t!.. money doesn´t guarantee a happy life, a beautifull and close family, peace, and it sure doesn´t guarantee that the person you love is always going to be with you or he/she is always going to love you..

Money should be taken as something that helps you carry on with life but it doesn´t mean it´s life itself.

Answer 7

I won't bore you with details....suffice to say, I have been very rich and spent it and gave away as much thinking I could never ever spend it throughout my life.....now I have few material luxuries and have never been happier in my entire life.....I love these senior years living with peace in my life. We all need a roof over our heads and necessities of life....I have those, but the "NEEDS" soon turn into "WANTS" ....can laugh about it all.

Answer 8

I believe to find true happiness you must want nothing. Unfortunatly, in this world of constant advertising... I want everything, and I want to be rich... I'll never be truely happy and content, but I will be momentarily happy with my material objects.

If you disagree with my materialistic views, throw your materialistic computer away.

Answer 9

My brother says it all "Money won't buy happiness, but it sure as heck will rent it"
Yes you can live without money, but why? Money should improve your life not run it

Answer 10

Yes, but no one wants to work to get to that kind of happiness.