Main Image By: corporatemonks.com
These two words, namely spirituality, and money are often separated. Spirituality is seen as something related to sacred things, far from money. Meanwhile, money is seen not only as a fulfillment of human needs but also as a symbol of self-esteem in the eyes of society. Money is often sought with ambition and greed.
This understanding is dangerous. Without the intervention of spirituality, money will become a tool to oppress other people and nature. Money will be a satisfying pleasure that leads people to the emptiness and destruction of their lives. In this sense, spirituality is the expansion of human identity from just the personal self to the vastness of the universe.
In many places in the world, religion is also separated from spirituality. On various occasions, religion has also become a tool to raise money, as well as to gain political power in a dirty way for rotten interests. An unhealthy mix of politics, economics, and religion has become a very destructive phenomenon in some countries.
In my country too, money divides society into two classes, namely the rich class and the poor class. There was a very sharp social inequality. Amid an endless pandemic, the economic impact continues to be felt. Inequality is getting bigger and more visible in various places here.
The relationship between money and human life must be re-examined. Money must be seen for what it is, i.e. as its original function. This is where the spirituality of money plays an important role. Three things are important to note.
Misunderstood Money
First, in today's world, money is often seen as a goal. People live and work to earn money. People cheat and corrupt to get more money. Not only that, people even hurt and kill each other to earn money.
Two, money also generates attachment. If there is money, people are happy. If you lose money, people will suffer. Money has become a source of happiness for many people.
Three, money is also often a measure of a person's self-esteem. With money, he becomes valuable in the eyes of society, although the way he earns money is questionable. Without money, people are seen as useless. Herbert Marcuse, a German thinker, called this Sein al Haben, namely the existence of a person who is seen from the amount of money and property he has.
Money Spirituality
Money spirituality means, people put money in its real role. With identity as wide as the universe, people work to earn money. He also uses money from the point of view of the universe. There are three important things to note.
First, money is placed as a tool for life. It is not a goal, because the highest goal in human life is to live fully. If money interferes with this goal, then it needs to be let go. Money is also seen as a tool for the welfare of society at large and not just a group of people.
Two, money is not used as an object of attachment. Human happiness is rooted in being fully alive. He does not depend on money or other things. Human happiness also does not depend on the existence of other people.
Three, self-esteem is also separated from money. Humans are precious and dignified in themselves. It has nothing to do with his possessions or money. Spirituality will lead people to a healthy and balanced relationship with money.
May be true said Michael Sandel, an American thinker. The most precious things in this world cannot be bought with money, because they are free. This would also be in line with Zen wisdom, that the most expensive thing in the world is the head of a dead cat. Why? Because no one knows the price!
