Life & Financial Lessons that I learned from Gautam Buddha

 

1. Mindfulness: It all start in your head

          It is out mental state that drives our actions and which later gets back to use as consequences.  Buddha emphasized purification of the mind and adopting the eightfold path to create the right mindset through experimentation and exploration.  When we are mindful of our finances, our incomes and expenditures, our goals and ambitions, we naturally gravitate towards better decisions and reap its benefits in the coming time.

2. Kindness: Share your bounty

          We often falsely believe that the world is a wild jungle and that you have to be a fierce carnivore to survive and thrive, a belief system that creates unfulfilling, guilt-ridden, and disappointed beings. Buddha preached the virtues of kindness, of the 'live and let live' principle; to support the needy and help the poor. Therefore, if you have plenty, use some of that to alleviate the pain of the less fortunate.

3. Believe in Self: Self Dependent

          Everyone is born in a different environment with varied advantages or drawbacks, but with full authority to execute their present karma and march towards a better future or ultimately attain nirvana. In financial life, too, anyone can achieve the coveted financial freedom with rightful actions irrespective of the current situation of past mistakes. Just aim for your dream life and act on it with full vigour and faith.

4. Have healthy relationship with money and materials: Detachment

          Most of us are enamoured by material things likes bigger cars, houses or yachts, or with social or virtual status, or with pure lust for more money and wealth. Buddha stressed that unbridled desires ruin life experiences. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't aim for a comfortable and luxurious life; it simply means following a sustainable middle path where contentment and happiness are maximized.

5. Be responsible

          The consequences of our collective irresponsible behaviors have depleted water levels, polluted the environment, degraded the soil and exacerbated the suffering of other beings. Obviously, we need to secure the well-being of ourselves and our families first. However, with a little consideration about minimizing the harm caused by us to others, we will have a much more peaceful life and a vibrant co-existence.

6. Don't waste resources: Frugality

          Buddha preached 'simple living and high thinking; he emphasized that people should live their ethically while consuming lesser resources.  In finances, frugality is a virtue; living within your means while optimizing consumption and saving in the present leads to prosperity in the future.

7. Chase ultimate freedom: Purpose

          Lord Buddha encourage us to become seekers rather than followers; you should actively seek the answers to your unique questions instead of piggybacking on other's perspectives. You should sincerely take out some time to answer the question 'why you are here' or in other words, find your life's purpose. It will energize and propel you to the path of your own version of perfect life.

           In the end, it's our life; own it, set the sail on your personals voyage and navigate it through milestones that will give you maximum meaning and fulfilment.