“Money only exists if two or more people believe it exists.” – Daniel Suelo
When I first heard the story of Daniel Suelo, I was immediately intrigued. After all, Daniel lives entirely without money and has done so for the past 12 years. In 2000, he put his entire life savings in a phone booth, walked away, and has lived moneyless ever since. Most frequently, he lives in the caves and wilderness of Utah where he eats wild vegetation, scavenges roadkill, pulls food from dumpsters, and is sometimes fed by friends and strangers. Daniel proudly boasts that he does not take food stamps or government handouts.
I found myself very interested in hearing what he has learned from the experience and how it might inspire me in my own journey to live with fewer possessions. So I contacted Daniel to see if I could ask him a few questions about his life and what views on money and possessions have shaped his existence. He graciously agreed. This is how our conversation went:
1) Earlier this year, your story was documented in a book titled The Man Who Quit Money. I opened this interview with a brief introduction. Am I missing anything here Daniel? Anything I should be adding to help us get a better understanding of who you are and the life you have chosen to live?
I don’t care for the statement, “Daniel proudly boasts that he does not take food stamps or government handouts,” because it can be construed that I put myself above those who must take food stamps or government handouts. I don’t judge those who do. I merely mention that I don’t take government assistance for the sake of those who might think I’m living on their tax dollars. I do boast about having few possessions and no money, because it’s ironic fun to boast about nothing special (wild creatures, after all, have few possessions or money and it really feels like no big deal), and to boast about what the rest of our commercial society debases.
I will add that I do make a small exception to taking government handouts: I use the public library to maintain my blog, website, do emails, and read books. This does cause ire in people searching for loopholes in my lifestyle. In my blog comments, a woman once responded to their anger by declaring that she pays taxes and doesn’t use the library, and that she donates all her library time to me. Then they were quiet.
2) Thanks so much for taking the time for this interview. I find it interesting that so many of the articles highlighting your story include something similar to this line: Suelo “came from a good family and has been to college. He was not mentally ill, nor an addict. His decision appears to have been an act of free will by a competent adult.” So, for starters, you are clearly not a crazy man. Correct?
A crazy man does not think himself crazy, so my opinion on the matter is meaningless :-) People will have to judge my sanity for themselves.
But it would be nice if we lived in a world that considered it crazy to cause harm to ourselves, others, and our environment or to praise those who do cause such harm. Then we’d have to say we live in a truly crazy civilization. A sane society would consider it crazy to kill living things and destroy food and water supplies in order to amass something that nobody can eat or drink, like gold, silver, and money. It’s crazy to sacrifice reality to the idol of illusion.
3) The thinking that led to your journey into willful moneylessness evolved by degrees during your travels. Could you share with us some of the foundational beliefs that have evolved in your life that led you to make this decision to give up money entirely?
My first thought of living moneyless came when I was a child. In my Evangelical Christian upbringing, I wondered why, if we were followers of Jesus, we didn’t practice his teachings–namely giving up possessions and doing not for the sake of reward (money and barter), but giving freely and receiving freely.
When I left home for college, I studied other religions and found that all the world’s major religions teach giving up possessions and doing not for the sake of reward. If all the separated witnesses are saying the same thing, it must be true. Ironically, few practice the one thing they all agree upon in word. What would happen if we actually practiced this stuff, I thought.
My dad also took us camping a lot, and I was a nature freak. I couldn’t help but see how perfectly balanced nature was, and it ran on no money. Why, then, couldn’t we?
As an adult, I thought it through more thoroughly. Nature’s economy is a pay-it-forward economy. This means one sows, another reaps, ad infitum. For example, a bear takes a raspberry, and the raspeberry bush demands nothing in return. The Bear takes with zero sense of obligation, zero guilt. The bear then poops somewhere else, not only providing food for soil organisms, but also propagating raspberry seeds. You never see 2 wild creatures consciously bartering. There are no accountants worrying what the bush will get in return. This is exactly why it works, because nobody knows how it works! There is no consciousness of credit and debt in nature. Consciousness of credit and debt is knowledge of good and evil, valuing one thing and devaluing another. Consciousness of credit and debt is our fall from Grace. Grace means gratis, free gift.
My next impetus for living moneyless came from observing the world economy and politics. Do our economy and politics function well? It’s self-evident, isn’t it?
My next impetus for living moneyless was to find authenticity for myself. To do out of one’s heart is to be real. To do for somebody, expecting something from them, is ulterior motivation, which is to not be real, which is to prostitute oneself.
My last impetus for living moneyless was to heal myself. Okay, I guess I’ll talk about my craziness. To heal myself was to first see myself as crazy, and only them could I become free of craziness. I was suffering clinical depression. Mental illness is rooted in having unnecessary, thoughts and to let go of unnecessary thoughts is to free oneself from mental illness. This is basic Buddhist philosophy. It is the philosophy of all the ancient religions. To cling to thoughts is to possess thoughts and this outwardly manifests itself in having unnecessary physical possessions. We accumulate what we don’t need out of fear and anxiety. This is true craziness. Unnecessary thoughts and unnecessary physical possessions (including possessing people) are inextricably linked. To accumulate unnecessary possessions is not to live in abundance, as we’re led to believe, but is to live in scarcity. Why would we have too much stuff if we believed the universe was abundant? Why would we worry if we weren’t crazy? Worry is simply lack of faith, faith that everything we need is in the here and now.
4) Your spirituality is clearly an important part of your journey. In what ways, have your spiritual beliefs strengthened you for this journey and lifestyle?
I mentioned above that this is about faith. Faith is eliminating unnecessary thought, trusting that everything we need comes as we need it, whether it is the right thoughts or the right possessions. Faith is being grounded in the Eternal Present. This is the common truth of the world’s religions.
5) What are some of the most important lessons about money/people/society you have personally learned over the past 12 years? And did any of these lessons surprise you?
Most important is that I’ve learned our true nature lives moneyless, giving freely and receiving freely. Even the most staid CEO is human underneath, and gives and receives freely with friends and family. By cultivating this nature in myself, I can see it in others, and it can be cultivated in others. When our real selves are cultivated, the gift economy is cultivated, our unreal selves (based on ulterior motivation) and all the nonsense drops away.
I have been surprised at the intensely angry reaction thousands of people have had at my living moneyless. It used to bother me, but now I realize that anger doesn’t come from people’s true nature, but from the facade they build up. The facade is threatened by reality. Who wants to hear that the basis of our commercial civilization is an illusion? Money only exists if two or more people believe it exists. Money is not a physical substance, but merely a belief in the head. Money is credit, and credit literally means belief (e.g. credibility). Money is literally a creed, the most agreed-upon creed, or religion, in the world. And what fundamentalists won’t get angry if you question their creed?
6) The reality of today’s society is that most people will never make the full leap into moneylessness like you have. Do you believe that your lifestyle still offers important inspiration for individuals and families? And if so, in what ways?
As I said, we all live moneyless at our core, in our everyday actions with friends, family, and even strangers. People tell me almost every day that they find living this way inspiring and even comforting. Even if people don’t intend on giving up money, they can still find that it isn’t the end of the world if they lose their money. If you are not religious, it is comforting to be reminded that life has flourished in balance for millions of years without money, and why should it fall apart without money now? Nature evolved you from an amoeboid to a human over millions of years, with zero money, so why should nature give up on you now? How is it that, when natural disasters (tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis) hit towns and cities, people suddenly forget about money and start helping each other? It’s comforting that we have a true nature beneath the falseness and ulterior motivation of commercial civilization.
And if you are religious, it’s comforting to know there is profound truth at the core of your religion (whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Sikh) that actually works if you practice it, that it isn’t all a lie. If we don’t practice the core truth of giving up possessions and ulterior motivation that every religion teaches, then of course our religion becomes a destructive lie, as we see all around us.
7) What are the practical steps individuals can take to free themselves from their pursuit (and bondage) to money – even if they will never live entirely moneyless?
People get overwhelmed unless they realize that all the tools they have are here and now, and steps can be taken right here and now.
Everybody, no matter how entrenched they are in the money system, can freely give and freely receive. Freely giving and freely receiving is our true nature, is true human-ness. And everybody is human. As I said earlier, it’s about being real, cultivating our true nature, and everything else falls into place, and all the falsehood drops away, no matter what station in life people are in. Even if somebody is totally skeptical about what I am doing, I challenge them to make it their goal to be totally real, with themselves and with every human interaction, and I propose they will then know whether or not I’m living a pipe dream.
Somebody once commented that our cities and towns could not function without money. But I say they and the world can’t function right now in the present system.
Take classic American suburbia, for example. People don’t know their neighbors, and everybody has their own cars, computers, TVs, lawn mowers, washing machines, etc, etc, as well as stockpiles of food and land they could grow food on. All we need is right here, but the only thing that’s holding us back is not physical reality, but belief, dogma. What if we actually spoke to our neighbors and agreed to share, like we learned in kindergarten and in church? What if we realized we could share cars, computers, washing machines, have dinners together, etc, which would not only save us expense, but would save expense on the environment, and, as a bonus, put smiles on our lonely faces? Then cities and technology would start serving us, rather than us serving them. But what’s holding us back? Not reality, not scarcity, but only our thinking!
As far as going all the way and living without money, people often ask me to teach them survival skills. Often I feel like I don’t know many skills, that it’s really about determination and getting up the confidence more than actual skill. Sometimes I tell folks to imagine something really silly: what if somebody offered you a million dollars to live without money for a year? I guarantee most people would figure out how to do it, skilled or no. This is about finding a determination, a motivation greater than a million dollars!
8) I’m curious how concerned you are about spreading this message of living free from money. I know you had the book written about you, you maintain your website, and you have agreed to this interview and various others. Is there a message you believe you have inside that is important to get out? And do you look forward to your story continuing to spread?
Yes, I now have a strong urge to spread the message. At first I just wanted to live my own life, whether or not anybody else took notice or not. Then I realized a message was errupting in me that I could no more suppress than an erupting volcano. Our society is not sustainable and we are not only heading rapidly into, but most the world has already reached disaster, due directly to our being trapped by our own beliefs. I want to shout this out to the world. But talk isn’t enough. It must be talk with action, right now. We could debate whether or not Paul Revere was trying to gain attention for himself, or we could simply take notice that the British are invading and we have to get off our butts!
Thanks so much for your time Daniel, I really do appreciate it. Your experience is unique – at least, in our society. As a result, it provides each of us an opportunity to reevaluate your own opinions and views on how we choose to live. And for that, I am very thankful.
—
To discover more about Daniel’s specific journey or find the answers to the questions swirling in your head, I’ll refer you to the FAQ on his website.
But before you leave, what parts of Daniel’s story resonated most with you? Did you discover any new insight or inspiration during the interview? Let us know in the comment section below. I’m interested to hear how his story is challenging others.
About Joshua Becker
i knew it’s challenging at first but i agree that money is NOT a physical substance and yes, money is only in our minds! Decriminalize moneyless lifestyle!
The pay it forward economy naturally in nature.
I remember being both intrigued and angry all in the same instance as I watched the squirrels outside my window, and I said, “Those squirrels aren’t paying any taxes. They aren’t paying bills. Why are we the only creatures on this planet deciding to live this way? ”
My family thinks I’m nuts for wanting to move toward a lifestyle where are life is just lived without all these weird extras we put ourselves through.
I loved this interview, and I definitely want to thumb through the website soon.
What resonates with me is getting to know our neighbors and having dinners and sharing. Also he is right about disasters happening, how everyone helps each other without even thinking twice about money. I am slowly trying to get to a place where I can be at peace with myself and my family.
It kinda reminds me of “Neo” in the movie – The Matrix.
It takes great courage to renounce and unplug from the system we are living in.
Hi. I think he is a very courageous man. It is hard to just rip yourself out of this economical society taking into account that you lived by its rules almost all your life. But somehow he did it.
The only part i couldn’t connect was where he talks about unnecessary thoughts. The unnecessary thoughts can still exist in our minds even with a minimalist lifestyle. In my experience, the only way to get rid of unnecessary thoughts is to meditate. I am now assuming may be that’s the reason why Hindu religion teaches to remain with family (not leaving it), performing all duties yet not getting attached to them. That is the true test and being a true minimalist. Just an opinion.
Google “Thought records on CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy).”
I don’t know a single person who couldn’t benefit from this technique for handling negative thinking.
Money is just stored human labor to be invoked when one needs help. . The Industrial Revolution continues reducing the amount of labor required to satisfy a given “need”, but alas increases the appetite for more “needs”.
Nevertheless, Money is doomed by automation, by around about 2087, I guess. . With THAT, goes Capital — and CAPITALISTS ! !
Accountancy is also a doomed occupation, along with banking. . People will be free to what they can with their lives, including, as now, NOTHING ! ! .
Whoa ! . HOW to obtain LAND ? ? ? : Gift or persuasion.
You cannot serve God and money.. How do we serve God.. By serving each other.. By giving to someone a drink of water we also give to Jesus.. Money is the root of evil.. I had all my life savings stolen from me from an oil investment fraud.. I want to live without money.. The only thing is I first have to sell my house and pay off my child support to my wife.. And then I will be free .. Except my children will be sad.. And I am afraid .. Still I hate what money has done to our culture.. I believe there is another way .. I am intrigued by simply living like the Indians or the Amish.. You are truly a brave and intelligent soul Daniel.. Still.. I do not understand why you would believe in evolution..
This is the section that inspired me the most.
Even if people don’t intend on giving up money, they can still find that it isn’t the end of the world if they lose their money. If you are not religious, it is comforting to be reminded that life has flourished in balance for millions of years without money, and why should it fall apart without money now? Nature evolved you from an amoeboid to a human over millions of years, with zero money, so why should nature give up on you now? How is it that, when natural disasters (tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis) hit towns and cities, people suddenly forget about money and start helping each other? It’s comforting that we have a true nature beneath the falseness and ulterior motivation of commercial civilization.
And if you are religious, it’s comforting to know there is profound truth at the core of your religion (whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Sikh) that actually works if you practice it, that it isn’t all a lie. If we don’t practice the core truth of giving up possessions and ulterior motivation that every religion teaches, then of course our religion becomes a destructive lie, as we see all around us.
Money is just a tool of expresión. Is not good neither bad. It doesn’t judge. It expresses your inside. Better said-we are expressing ourselves through it. We can use money for great things- and we can use it for destroy things. We can use it with greed and we can use it with grace. Many points at the money as ‘ the evil’ , not realizing it’s their own evil thoughts of possible use of this tool that scares them. It’s like with a simple knife- you can kill and you can save or make a great things with it. In fact almost every possible thing you can use for good or evil- even water. So let’s stop pointing fingers on money and rather reevaluate ourselves. To live a high lifestyle or live in a cave are just two extremes. Let’s find a middle way. It’s called harmony.
Thank you for this amazing interview. I think this man should write a book about his entire moneyless journey . It would be an amazing help and inspiration for people who have lost their jobs or possessions and also for people who need a break because of mental illness .We could all learn from his experiences.
To be a child/adult of nature often starts when one is very young, try two or three. This race for stuff at any cost is insane. The Dalai Lama said man surprises him most because he’ll work for money, then get sick and spends his money to regain a smidgeon of his health thinking he’ll never die then he dies having never lived. Back to nature, a real example of such is when we never hear from those who do it. This man says what many are saying everyday, if we continue as we are we will not celebrate 2100 as a species all because some very stupid money grubbing misfits fail to see reality and like the Dalai Lama said, “The think they’ll never die (but do). Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos said as if to enlighten the human race, “Innovate and don’t be afraid to make a mistake.” What’s annoying about the statement, every person who thinks being a millionaire is the ultimate way to live knows that and few people don’t realize making something new and needed and not be afraid of making mistakes is surely something that we know instinctively. When a saber tooth tiger wanted to kill and eat a human the human had to innovate, climb a tree, jump in the river, lake, etc., climb up a stone wall, and insofar as being afraid of making a mistake, that’s stupid to bring up, with a tiger breathing down one’s neck, the only mistake would be, and contrary to human nature, afraid the water leaped into, the tree climbing or the stone wall scaled might be a mistake, that wouldn’t even be thought. The point is, a few of us could and do live like or somewhat like this man, but there’s limited room for this sort of thing, a better solution would be using our yards for vegetables/fruits, grow grass for goats and their milk (My mother died with 31 teeth because she had fresh raw goat milk when she was growing up.), eliminated taxes, mortgages, rents, leases, and 99% of commerce and especially eliminate politicians, CEO’s, and property taxes, among other things, like the 80,000 toxic chemicals and sever billion tons of toxic chemicals heaped upon the planet each day. There are big problems but the key lies in forced reform based on a do or die theme, being, if we don’t we’ll become extinct. This is a somewhat silly article but the idea of putting less importance on money is good though it’s been around for several thousands years.
This all looks great until you add kids into the mix. Transportation (do you hitchhike/ jump in the back of a pickup with an infant?), food (sure, *you* will eat that food you got out of a dumpster, but will you feed it to your 3 yr old?), medical care (do you make a cast from paper mache, when your 5 yr old breaks her arm?), and so on. How cozy is that cave?
I wonder how his day look like, walking in the nature looking for food?
I love nature and simple life as well as many other things like discovering the world, meeting new people, understanding new cultures, kitesurfing….. How can I fly from US to Mauritius island without having money? (yes, if I want to be environment friendly I should not fly anywhere…)
I understand buddism approach: desireless mind is complete and free.
At the same time I do not see anything wrong in having desires, dreams if I am not getting attach to them, if I am not hurting anybody, if they bring me joy on top of my regular joy of life.
I feel completely free while having money because I am not emotionally attached to them. I am not their prisoner. They are my tool to enable me to do some things I love to do.
I love what I do. And some things could be done without money if whole world is moneyless. In the current world: I cannot fly without money (thanks to this I can visit my family in 2 hours while still living in other place I love), I cannot do kitesurfing without money (yes, I could maybe use my charm to get the equipment for free and some classes), where I live I need money to buy food because it does not grow on the tree in severe winter and to pick it up in summer (would be stealing cause everything here is privately owned) and store it in winter, I need to buy / collect pots, spices etc…. And in the cold climate, we need cloths – somebody needs to make them or kill an animal to get the skin (the best with the hands or a hawk made out of the sharp stone).
Yes, living without money is possible and can be enjoyable.
Living with money is enjoyable and opens new opportunities.
I feel happy regardless of having / not having money.
Money is just a tool like a knife is. We can still survive without knife, but it makes some things so much easier if we use it. And it is up to us if we use it to prepare a delicious meal for our beloved ones or we kill somebody with it. A knife is just a tool, neutral. It is people who decide how to use it.
Money is just a tool. It is up to us how we use it. I do not posses much, I am against consumerism.
However I cherish the freedom, choice and opportunities money gives me while I am still able to live HERE and NOW and enjoy every moment of my life.
Liked this interview. In some way, I envy him to be free like that. Sometimes I’d like to be able to leave everything behind and simply contemplate the world. Thanks for this interview.
You honestly are all that you lead yourself to be, if you really wish to be free, find what does that and cultivate it, the only thing thats holding you back are your thoughts.
Food is the fuel, air is the oxidizer.
If we breathe the oxidizer, why can’t we also breathe the fuel ?
Nature is not our friend to have made this half way. Imagine a world where food is free but you have to pay to breathe. Sounds silly isn’t it ?
I find it silly that we have to pay to eat.
If nature was our friend there would be two kinds of plants: one that produces airborne fuel, one that produces airborne oxidizer and all we would have to do is breathe for a living. Our cells would synthesize the two and produce the energy and materials needed to live.
Then, you could quit your job and say: Bye Bye Boss, I’m going breathing. LOL !
in my heart I have said almost verbatim some of the things that Daniel has said about giving and receiving and how the whole system with money is corrupt and hurting people as humans
Joshua,
Thank you for sharing, I loved the interview. It means a lot to me.
Now I know I’m not alone in this world and Daniel is at the vanguard.
But seriously, why don’t you remove all those nonsense replies?
Yes I thought I had gone mad after reading the first two
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Wow, Thanks for sharing, and thank you for living your live in this way, self sacrifice, to not choose the easy(money) life, you are truly living your life in a manner that does not harm the environment with your actions or lifestyle…therefore I can say that your actions proves your love for nature and other people, people you will never even meet. while us on the other hand, using electricity, oil, plastic, etc, if we are truly honest with ourselves, are living the exact opposite.
I’ve been re educating myself for the last 3 years, learning survival skills, etc, some things I want to share with anyone considering taking the same path.
Look up Ketogenic Adaptation, and then The Swedish fast march(1952, 1962), and water only fasting, It would certainly boost your belief that it is not only possible to live this way, but far more beneficial to your health. (once you realize you can walk 50km per day for ten days straight, on only water,,you realize food is not such a big issue, ,,can you imagine the amount of resources you’ll pass walking 500km) God bless anyone taking this route.
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Seriously how many ppl would live without money for a yr. if they were offered $1Mn. A few billionaires could lift entire countries out of poverty and find a permanent solution to poverty. I’m a huge fan of Survivor which gives a way $1Mn. for 39 days which is also pretty awesome :)
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Man’s nature is to freely give and receive and his facade self or ulterior motive to accumulate possessions. This cuts through me deeply. Thank you Daniel. And thank you Joshua for sharing! ?
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hmmm, this is intruiging. Thanks for sharing Joshua
following his quote “money is credit and credit literally means belief” am of the view that living without is really weird and mysterious but believe this is the common language that is been used in all sphere of life you could ever think but what surprises me the most was when he compared humans with beast in the forest,because even from evolution man was sensible than these beast.Even human to human differ from each other in terms of culture,language,background and otherwise and these group of people understand common language which is money.
A general question goes to all, he said he lives without money but he his putting on cloths,writing book,going on online and others how is that possible,even friends and love one gives to him freely,they do that out of abundance,but if everybody should go on that philosophy of living without money, WHO WILL GIVE TO EACH THERE?
A biblical reference was when Jesus himself ask his disciple to pay tax through money which was taken from the mouth of a fish just as Christ instructed,and believe me GOD is not poor then why should you think of living a life of such?
following his quote “money is credit and credit literally means belief” am of the view that living without is really weird and mysterious but believe this same is the common language that is been in all sphere of life you could ever think but what surprises me the most was when he compared humans with beast in the forest,because even from evolution man was sensible than these beast as they differ from each other in terms of culture,language,background and otherwise and these group of people understand common language which is money.
A general question goes to all he said he lives without money but he his putting on cloths,writing book,going on online and others how is that possible,even friends and love one gives to him freely,they do that out of abundance,but everybody should go on that philosophy WHO WILL GIVE TO EACH THERE?
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, commonly called the Mormons. Part of our doctrine espouses living “the law of consecration” as taught in the New Testament in Acts as well as in the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. This notion of consecration, or sharing and recieving, is a difficult principle to live without faith and trust in our fellowman and without eliminating pride in our hearts. The communities of early “saints” (in New testament times and modern times) tried and failed to accomplish this level of trust in their fellowmen and stewardship over the earth’s resources. It is heartening to learn of a “movement” that is gaining public awareness and approval and PARTICIPATION in becoming “of one heart and one mind.”
If he accepts food&clothes from strangers and takes food from dumpsters, he didn’t “quit money”. He just lives the illusion he did it, while others spend it for him by giving-dumping food.
You cannot quit money, since you cannot provide everything for yourself. If you have a garden, you can provide food for your family – but gardening means work, providing enough food for entire year means a full time job. That means you wont have time to make your own clothes for example. And you still need to buy tools for anything-shelter/gardening/sewing. Unless you go medieval and build a forge to melt metal *rolls eyes.
There is a balance in everything, not letting money to rule your world, avoid attachment of material things and stupid consumerism.
You will have time if u use your time wisely. Any tools or supplies or shelter can be found way beyond the bounds of the” world”. It is all there in nature.
My family has done it for generations. I myself have. I left the life I love to raise a child. I was forced under the threat of incarceration as it is deemed neglectful to raise children without light switches and faucets.
You’re a cunt
Here’s the thing about gardening… Or free food.
People PAY MONEY to poison the free food and medicine.
This is food that grows all on it’s own with no tools, no special soil.
I’ve been collecting self sowing weeds for my garden, because we can have food with less work. I have over 20 plants in my yard that are food, half of them were gifts from the wildlife, while other are plants I’ve dug up from the woods, or from farms.
My friend’s mother passed away at age 87 twenty-one days ago. Two thoughts have come from observing this experience: 1. She was someone who worried about money all the time. While she and her husband were far from wealthy they had what they needed to raise their family and live into old age. After her death when everything was paid for with her small savings, $5.24 remained. She had just enough. 2. When her son closed her bank account 20 days after her death, all active traces of her on the face of the earth ended. Memories and love abound but for all intents and purposes in accordance with our systems, she has disappeared in a matter of days.
inspiring article. thank you for sharing this with us, joshua!
i wanted to let you know there’s a small spelling mistake in question #3: “For example, a bear takes a raspberry, and the raspeberry bush demands nothing in return.” Raspeberry should be raspberry.
Perfectly timed. I am in the process of shedding nearly all of my possessions ahead of an interstate move, and I have been plagued by feelings of anxiety about needing to “sell” at least some of it. Part of me feels afraid that I am being taken advantage of, or doing myself a disservice if I give away instead of sell my stuff.
This article clarified things for me: I can participate in the giving economy. If people give (cash? something else?) in return, that’s great. But if they are not in a position to do so, nothing is due. I need to practice freely giving and increase my faith in the abundance of the universe.
One thing that I really hate in this world is when money destroys relationships between people. I can’t stand it when people argue over money.
While I don’t intend to live money-free, I completely agree with Daniel that free giving and free receiving is our true nature. I believe in the pay-it-forward economy.
I browsed through his personal blog. He says he’s back in his hometown to take care of his parents. I surmise that it has become more challenging for him to maintain a money-free lifestyle given his current situation. I admire him more after knowing that. He is truly an inspiration.
Thank you for sharing Joshua.
All my life, I have fantasized about what the world would be like if scientists shared everything they were learning, If doctors were doctors because they love helping, if everyone did what they love (for free) so everyone would have what they need, if government was only around to help maintain the balance…
When I encounter unhappy people, I ask them what they love to do so much that they would do it for free, if they didn’t have bills to pay — and tell them that’s what they should be doing for a living.
What Daniel has done isn’t a new idea and many people share it, but don’t believe they can live it in this world. And they can’t, really, but where Daniel is living is not of this world… and no, he’s not crazy. The planet and the world are not the same thing. The planet is our home, but the world is our experience and what we believe, think and feel about our experience.
The Bible talks about being IN the world, but not OF it. To the best of my current ability, that’s what I’m doing. I know we will all be living like Daniel pretty soon, and I’m actually looking forward to it, so I can do what I love, share my passions, and help others have what they need while doing what they love, so I can have what I need.
Daniel is right — if we pay forward by doing what we love, what comes naturally to us, everyone will always have what they need. Daniel is IN the world, but not OF it. Bravo, Daniel!
Beautiful words. Very encouraging.
I have been chasing this fantasy of having enough money for 30 years. I’m tired and come close to spiritual bankruptcy in my efforts. It all feels wrong inside me. Looking for other avenues.
A very interesting perspective. Thank-you.
Everyone thinks money is the most important part of our life but it is not completely accurate. Other things like simplicity and love are also have an important role in our life. So we don’t think only about the money has some happiness in your life by giving importance to each and every movement of life.
Obsession with money could be as much of a crime as obession with no-money.
Money has been devised as a usual and convenient tool to exchange goods and services between human beings.
Money itself is not a problem, so does anything in the universe. It’s the attachment to it to the extent of obsession and unnecessary amalgamation is the problem.
Use it, but do not be identified with it, that’s all.
:)