Possessiveness - An Impediment to Usual Life

Abstract

Possessiveness is a strong desire to have something, which may be called possession. The value of possessions depends on possessiveness. Possessiveness, not possession, is harmful to human life. Possessiveness belongs to ego/I-feeling, and this ego/I-feeling again belongs to ignorance of the discrimination between eternal and non-eternal. The misconception that the object breeds joy in us creates many problems in life. Possessiveness leads to confinement and loss of freedom. Both Jainas and Yogas accept aparigraha, or disowning of possessions, for making life hazardless. Possessiveness can be removed by the knowledge of discrimination between eternal and non-eternal (nityānityavastuvivekah), by the knowledge of I-consciousness, i.e., jivātmā is not different from Parātma. This type of knowledge can be had through rapid practice, and so ancient scriptures prescribe three āśramas, namely Brahma-carya, Gārhasthya, and the Vānaprastha to reach the fourth one, i.e., sannyāsa or vairāgya, detachment from the worldly objects. Gita also talks about niṣkāma karma (desire less work) to avoid possessiveness, called karma-yoga. The cultivation of detachment follows śravana, manana, and nididhyāsana, as per prescription in Upanisads.