Lately, I was thinking how advertisement of different items i.e. advertisement of cloths etc., lure us to buy new cloths even still we can use old cloths which are in good condition. How the TV channels lure us to buy unnecessary things i.e. home decoration things etc in fact there is no need of such things but we still struggle hard for those jobs which even we don’t like to do at all but still we do just to get higher pay so we can buy such worldly things.
i feel you are on the verge of discovering buddhist wisdom. congratulations, LKK.
here is some hint for thinking further.
Concentration on the Breath
A very simple way of meditating is concentrating on your breath. The breath is like a bridge between your body and mind. When you concentrate on your breath for a while, your body becomes relaxed and your mind becomes peaceful.
Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight.
Place your hands in your lap with the left hand on the bottom.
Keep your eyes half-closed or closed.
Concentrate on the tip of your nose. Notice your breath going in and out.
Lotus posture
Full lotus is the best sitting posture. Begin by sitting in half-lotus, then work your way up to full lotus.
Full-lotus- Sit on the edge of a cushion. Place your left ankle on your right thigh. Then lift your right ankle onto your left thigh.
Half-lotus- Lift your left ankle onto your right thigh.
Note: It is best to sit at the same time and place everyday. Increase your sitting time little
by little. You may sit in a chair or stand if necessary.
"…Experts of human behaviour who have commented on this have warned of a type of culture-in-making that is encouraging individuals to measure their and others’ worth by financial success and material possessions, rather than humanitarian values like integrity, genuinity, spirituality etc. This culture of greed has evolved to a stage where it is causing a lot of destruction in the world - selfishness, egoism, family break-ups, mental and psychological illnesses, stronger nations waging wars on weaker nations for the control of resources, corruption, drug trafficking, fraud etc.
All the major theologies of the world have discouraged consumerism and warned of its deceptive nature. As Muslims, we believe that real happiness is achieved in this life and Hereafter only through living a balanced life. Our Creator strongly condemned excessiveness and its dangers in various ways for us to ponder (See Holy Quran : Surah 102 Takassur, Surah 104 Humazah, Surah 18 Kahf verse 32-44 Surah Anfaal verse 31 and Surah Bani Israel verses 17 and 26-28)
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (peace be upon him) has said: “Modesty and faith are tied up together; they are always to be found together”. Mass accumulators of wealth like Qaroon, Namrood, and Firoun got so possessed by their wealth that they became the ultimate symbols of disbelief for humanity. On the other hand, all of our great Prophets and Infallibles (peace be upon them all) led a very modest and balanced life. Therefore as Muslims, it is our duty to follow the examples set by them and keep our aims of life beyond excessive obsessions with material possessions and physical comfort."
If consumerism was ethically wrong in Islam then earning money would have been a sin. Islam obligated only 2.5% of our annual saving (note that its not annual earning, only saving) to be given away to needy. That means that all that we earn and 97.5% of what we dont need can be spent on ourselves. And yes that does mean rewarding you with the luxuries of life. Off course it should be spent on halal luxuries but Islam does not prevent you from buying expensive clothings and a luxury ride. Many wealthy sahaba enjoyed such life. Even Imam Abu Haneefa was a very wealthy man who used to spend good amount of money on expensive clothes and was the biggest consumer of the most expensive Itar (perfumed oil) available in his city. One rivayat says that another person went to buy the same Itar from the seller where he was informed that next 10 years worth of supplies were pre-booked by Abu Haneefa.