Greed (Πλειοεξία)

-From the Meletic Scrolls.

Greed is the tempting vice that most corrupts the human self, seeping into our thoughts and desires, and distorting the purity of the self. It is a powerful force that entices us, leading us astray from the true path of wisdom. Greed is not a natural need or an essential driving force of life; it is a deceiving temptation that disrupts our judgement and pulls us further from our essential nature. When we succumb to this temptation, we are, in essence, abandoning the voice within us that guides us, which is the soul. This inner voice is a reflection of our true soul, which is the core of our conscience and our moral compass. To ignore it for the benefit of the false promises of greed is to forsake our humanity, to betray our virtues and to detach ourselves from the higher principles that should govern our actions.

In the pursuit of wisdom, humility plays a central role. Humility is not merely a virtue; it is the foundation upon which our wisdom is built. It is through humility that we acknowledge our limitations and realise the vastness of what we do not know. Without humility, we become blind to our own shortcomings, and in this blindness, we are susceptible to the influence of vices, which amongst them there is greed. Greed blinds us not only to the needs of others, but to the needs also of our own soul. It disrupts our judgement, distorts our perception of what is truly important, and ultimately, it leads us away from the path of self-realisation.

The nature of greed is insidious. It convinces us that we need more than we have. It tempts us to believe that accumulating wealth, status or possessions will somehow bring us happiness or fulfilment. The truth is that there is no moral justification for this incessant desire to possess more. Wealth in itself is not a necessity. The desire for wealth, when driven by greed is not rooted in any genuine need, but in a deep feeling of omission, which is an emotional void that can never truly be filled. This emptiness that greed seeks to satisfy is associated to a physical yearning. Greed derives from an unacknowledged disconnection with the soul, a disconnection that can only be healed through self-awareness and a return to the true essence of our being.

It is not inherently wrong to aspire to improve our lives or to seek the means to live comfortably. However, this should not be mistaken for the pursuit of material wealth for its own sake. Aspiration is a noble pursuit when it is rooted in virtues such as self-discipline, patience and humility. True aspirations are those that uplift the soul, deepen our understanding of ourselves and maintain positive relationships with others. They are not enticed by a desire for power, control or accumulation, but by a genuine desire to become a better version of ourselves.

The material world, with its endless demands and temptations is not the measure of life’s true value. It is transient, constantly changing and ultimately unsatisfying. We may amass wealth or possessions, but they will not define us or bring us lasting fulfilment. What truly defines us is our consciousness, our ability to engage in self-reflection, and our capacity to cultivate virtues that contribute to our personal growth and the well-being of others. Life in its physical form is temporary, but our centre, which is our consciousness is eternal. The pursuit of material wealth often leads us to forget this truth, trapping us in a cycle of endless desire and discontent.

This awareness of our consciousness empowers us to distinguish between morality and immorality. It is through the exercise of this consciousness that we realise the emptiness of greed and the futility of its pursuit. Greed in its essence is immeasurable. It is a thirst that cannot be quenched, a hunger that can never be satisfied. No amount of material wealth or recognition will ever fill the void that greed seeks to address. Life does not create greed; it is our own desires, our own envy that lead us to fall into the trap of greed. We seek recognition, grandeur and status, but these things are hollow when measured against the true value of wisdom, virtue and inner peace.

The true path to fulfilment does not lie in the external accumulation of wealth or status, but in the cultivation of inner wisdom and the practice of virtue. It is through the development of our character or ethos that we find our true identity. Our actions, guided by reason and inspired by principles that evoke conscious thought, shape who we are and what we contribute to the world. Our society, though it may seem to offer the rewards of wealth and power, ultimately reflects only a distorted version of reality; one that is shaped by materialism and the desires of the body. When we allow ourselves to become fixated on these external symbols of success, we limit our potentiality for growth, reducing ourselves to mere consumers of the material world rather than conscious beings capable of transcending it.

Greed at its core is a rejection of our true nature. It is an indulgence of the ego, a self-centred pursuit that blinds us to the interconnection of all beings. It is not merely a harmful perception of reality; it is a dangerous force that if left unrestricted, can lead to our moral and spiritual downfall. The teachings of Meleticism provide a counterbalance to this destructive force. Meleticism emphasises the importance of cultivating virtues such as temperance, humility and benevolence. These virtues act as a guide to the soul, steering us away from the traps of greed and towards a life that is in harmony with the deeper truths of existence.

Benevolence, the opposite of greed is the quality that exemplifies true character. It is through acts of kindness, compassion and generosity that we align ourselves with the greater good and transcend the limitations of the ego. Benevolence is not driven by a desire for personal gain, but by a deep understanding of the interconnection of all life. It is the recognition that in helping others, we help ourselves, for the well-being of one is inseparable from the well-being of all.

In accepting our fate as human beings, we begin to understand the true nature of our existence. Material wealth, status and recognition will all fade away when we die. What we leave behind is not the wealth we have amassed, but the impact we have had on the lives of others. Our legacy is shaped not by the things we have collected. Instead, it is shaped by the virtues we have cultivated and the love we have shared.

We must not fall into the alluring trap of greed, for it is an illusion that distracts us from the true meaning of life. We must embrace the understanding that our lives have meaning and purpose that transcends material gain. When we look into the mirror of the world, we must see not just our own reflection, but the reflection of others. The beggar on the street is not a distant other; he is a fellow human being, and we are no different from him. In acknowledging this, we open ourselves to the profound truth that we are all connected, and that our actions guided by wisdom and compassion can lead us to a life of true fulfilment.

Philosophy does not eliminate poverty or suffering, but it does deepen our understanding of these realities. It opens our eyes to the injustices of the world whilst providing us with the tools to navigate them with grace and equanimity. Philosophy enriches the soul by reminding us of our higher purpose and guiding us towards a life of virtue, meaning and interconnection. Through our belief in (To Ένa) the One, we strengthen our foundation in truth and open ourselves to the virtues that will guide us through life. It is this belief, grounded in self-awareness and the cultivation of virtue that will define our path and lead us towards the ultimate goal of self-realisation and enlightenment.

In embracing the wisdom of Meleticism, we are reminded that the pursuit of material wealth is fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. True fulfilment comes not from accumulation, but from the cultivation of the virtues that align us with the greater truth of existence. Therefore, we should reject greed and embrace the path of wisdom, humility and benevolence, for it is through these virtues that we shall find the meaning and purpose that transcend the material world.

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