Psychological Dependence on object

Strengthening Families by Increasing Spirituality
SwamiTejomayananda
(Part 13)

Psychological Dependence on Objects

Spirituality is freedom from slavery and dependence on the world of material objects. Yes, objects are there, they are valuable, they are necessary, they fulfill our needs; therefore, we must take care of them. But, unfortunately, instead of us possessing them, they possess and control us. A householder is one who holds a house; but in our case the house, holds us!

There are two types of dependence – physical and psychological. For example, when I am hungry, I will eat food; this is a natural physical dependence on food. But if there is no food and my worry over it becomes an obsession, it is psychological dependence. One day a young boy came to me and asked, “Swamiji, is it true that those devotees who went in search of God, somehow managed to get food all the time? Someone came and gave them food. Is it true?”

“Yes. It is true.”

“If I go in search of God, will I get food?”

“No”.

“Why not?”

“Because you are going in search of food, not God! You are already worrying about food. But those who went in search of God, the thought of food never entered their mind. The Lord took care of them. If they got food, they enjoyed it. If not, they were still satisfied.”

There was no psychological dependence. To free our mind from this kind of dependence is called spirituality.