David Shaw - Ghost Writers

Nowadays, as we still find ourselves caught up in the backlash of the great banking crash of the early ‘noughties’, the spectre of materialism ironically still lies at the door of even the most frugal of suburban households. Of course, it doesn’t help that technical gadgets are now so cheap and plentiful that these comparative luxury items of yesteryear are now affordable to nearly everyone who desires them. A recent study by the UN reported that, in India, more people have access to a mobile phone than to a toilet. Where’s the logic in that? I know that India is a profoundly spiritual country, but surely it’s much better that you refrain from buying your children the latest smartphone if it means they don’t have to shit in the street. Seriously though, it is a worrying statistic and it suggests that materialism is now becoming a global problem and not just confined to those trying to keep up with ‘The Joneses’.

Another statistic that sounds even more alarming is that if you took the bank account interest accrued from the combined wealth of the top 103 wealthiest people on Earth for just one year, then it would completely wipe out world poverty. Just think about that for a moment: just the interest accrued – not even touching the amount of money owned by these individuals! It is true that some of the world’s wealthiest people are the biggest donators to charity, but come on! Instead of the superpowers gathering together at an annual summit to try and save our planet, why don’t the aforementioned 103 tycoons get together and do the right thing? Sounds easy, but it would be like trying to convince an overweight child that too many sweets can be bad for you.

So what’s the answer, then? Should we all give up everything we own and send it to the Third World? Of course not! Each and every one of us has to decide the best way forward for our own life and we shall be judged on our own choices when the time comes. Extravagance can be tolerated, but overindulgence should always be carefully monitored. When we return to the spirit realm the same question will always be asked – could I have done more for my fellow human being? The answer must be truthful and can often be tinged with great shame and remorse. There are sure to be at least 103 of them falling into this category. Nevertheless, that’s why we are here in the physical world. We are here to learn from our mistakes and we cannot blame anyone else for these misgivings as it is our sole responsibility to live our lives as individuals.

I am the first to acknowledge that I could do more in the way of helping my fellow human being. I could give more money to charity; I could offer my therapy sessions for free; I could spend more time with people who are struggling to cope with addiction; I could even stop writing right now and go and spend more time with my family. All of these declarations, in their own way, would keep the spiritual boot from my ass for just a little while longer. Realistically, we don’t need to be saints to make a difference in this world – we just have to care enough to want to see a difference, and that is all I am asking you to consider.

As we found out from our last endeavour through New Mediumship , the great burden of extreme materialism can ignite a passion within any man that is often determined by a spiritual force called the ego. Whereas our brain feeds off stimulation, the ego feeds off energy forged by unconstructive spiritual activity, and the effects of this manifestation can even be felt long after physical death. The battle with one’s ego is the greatest test of our eternal life journey. Even the most spiritually advanced individuals on this physical plane still strive to keep this monster under control. It is inevitable that the more wealth or power an individual accrues, then the greater the task of keeping the ego in check.

It is not my personal goal to sell millions of books worldwide and become a best-selling author, but if it were then I would have a major problem restraining my ego from basking in its self-proclaimed glory. We cannot escape from the ego until we are at a highly advanced state of consciousness, similar to that of Mr Chung and SiBir. So, it is crucial that we work closely with the ego and learn from the many challenges it sets us.

Our ego is fundamentally manifested from all of our past lives, and in addition contains elements of our behavioural characteristics from each former incarnation. In theory, if you have previously lived a life of extreme wealth or power then you should have learned how to control your ego accordingly. However, the potential is still there to let it slip out of control and under strict spiritual laws your spirit guide cannot interfere with this predicament. The task then is firmly set at our own door. This is why materialism should only be tolerated in moderation and not overindulged, since regaining control of an exorbitant ego can be immensely difficult to achieve, with the after effects being felt throughout endless incarnations.

Okay then, it’s clear that we shouldn’t try and amass a mountain of money as it might just go straight to our head! Sounds easy, doesn’t it? But how many of us play the National Lottery? How many of us work excessive hours till we can hardly think straight? How many of us would invest in the stock market if we knew we couldn’t lose? Most of us – correct? We dream of a lifestyle that gives us a plethora of choices without worrying about where these choices will leave us. We yearn for the opportunity to indulge in excessive behaviour because we see others enjoying that very dream. We strive to create an environment that is befitting of elegance and extravagance. And it may only be a dream for most us, but would you truthfully turn down an opportunity to sample this abundant lifestyle if it was presented to you on a plate tomorrow? Even for just a few moments? No, neither would I, despite the fact that my ego is fairly well shackled, and I don’t play the National Lottery. Bah humbug! But we can always dream…

The point being that most of us would like to know if the grass really is greener on the other side and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this most ‘human’ form of curiosity. Because that’s why we are here in the physical world – to experience changes in our self and in those of us who we love. We cannot condemn those who seek material gain unless we find out for ourselves just how such a fallacy affects the human soul.

If I were to ask you if you would willingly give up every single material possession that you owned if it helped to save the life of your child then I know that you would do it in a heartbeat, and so would I. Indeed, the importance of being in a position of wealth where your range of choices is huge is without doubt a tempting entrée for any palette. However, once you dine at the table of Caligula, you may never again wish to cook in the kitchen of humility.

How much is that doggy in the window?

One day, in a fishing village not too far away, a small shop displayed an interesting item in its front window. The item looked completely harmless, yet, from this day forth, this one item would change the life of everyone who set eyes upon it. Many of the villagers actually passed by this shop as they made their way to and from the quaint little harbour where most of them worked. Life was simple in this small village and for the most part the villagers were content with this rudimentary lifestyle. Everyone contributed to this caring community and no one ever went without. That is, until the day when something quite extraordinary happened.

A large crowd had gathered at the shop window to gaze in wonder at the valuable commodity, yet no one seemed to possess the courage to enter the shop. A handmade sign innocuously sat beside the item – ‘To be sold to the highest bidder’. The villagers noticed this sign and its effect made them reluctant to venture inside. They mumbled to each other and smiled nervously. Curiosity had systematically encompassed them, yet naivety held them back.