The Lessons from Standing Still

Someone remarked to me yesterday that, standing in the middle of a busy town in Herefordshire recently, she was struck by the intense materialistic focus that was clearly apparent all around her.

Though she had been there many times before, she was seeing the place and the people with new eyes, eyes of discernment. Without being judgmental, she talked about the desire she saw on the faces of shoppers, desire for "things" whether it was clothes, electrical goods, accessories. Associated with this was noise, loud voices, litter, crowds, begging. Birdsong, sunshine, the air, life, went un-noticed.

People have for hundreds of years come into their local town to shop for necessities, to barter, to sell their own produce, to meet friends, for commerce (including begging!) or for entertainment, but these days for many individuals entertainment comes from spending money. It has been this way in western countries for some time, and the fact that it seems prevalent still in a time of economic uncertainty may be reflecting a hidden fear about the future, or an unwillingness to confront the reality of possible job losses and the need for financial restraint.  

In the UK at least, a lot of people accept the need for national spending cuts but have not recognised that they themselves may be affected and may have to contribute. They believe, or hope, their own lives will continue as always, and so they shop. It is illusion, and all illusion is shattered some time, sometimes painfully.

In the end, what people choose to do with their spare time and money or credit cards does not matter, it is up to them and it behoves none of us to judge them. We each have our own lessons also. However, it is wonderful what we can learn from standing in a busy place and just looking, and seeing clearly.