We own every thing twice

Whether it’s a mug, your laptop, the tire in the garage, or the lawnmower in the garden shed, we probably have a receipt for it. Even if we don’t, these things are around us and serve us. We own things on paper—this is the first form of ownership.

Secondly, we own each thing in our minds. The mind is like a database with many records that say, “this belongs to me.” If this record weren’t there, you would treat the item as if it didn’t belong to you. You wouldn’t relate to it.

This phenomenon can sometimes work against us without us even realizing it. This is especially true for things we are not actively aware we have. For instance, a forgotten broken radio in the barn that we intended to repair years ago.

What effect does it have?

Every record in the mind's database takes an imperceptible piece of our energy and inner space. Much like a TV on standby draws a small amount of power from the grid. The more things we have, especially unnecessary ones, the more our inner space is taken up in the same way. Let’s say a thousand TVs on standby consume a noticeable amount of electricity.

Sometimes we feel the need to cleanse ourselves, to disconnect from worries. We go meditate in the forest or take a sensational weekend trip. Then we come back home, and the temporary relief fades after a few days. The routine returns in the same environment from which we needed a break.

Sometimes it is enough to remove unnecessary things in the physical space in which we spend the most time. Say goodbye to things we don't need or use. We also say goodbye to the past, with which we connect emotionally through these things. It's good to note the reasons why we don't want to throw something away, for example:

* “This is from my grandmother; I can’t throw it away” - maybe instead, we need to look at what unresolved feelings we have towards our grandmother, or
* “This will definitely be needed someday” (like every item in the attic, which is now too full to enter) - maybe we need to let go of ingrained fears about the future and rediscover a zest for life.

Use it for yourself

I believe the outer world reflects the inner, and movement in one directly affects the other.

Thus, working on oneself will eventually manifest outwardly. Conversely, non-routine movement in the physical world stirs the person within. Many people do this healthily and intuitively. They simply have to get rid of the old junk; they can’t help it. And conversely, they feel a slight burden with each new item, which they are willing to bear in exchange for its service. If that’s how you are, great.

However, for some, it may be more challenging. By acknowledging that getting rid of those old boxes we cling to or discarding old clothes we’ll never wear again, we can pave the way forward.

Zpět na seznam článků