The Illusion of Ownership

Reasons Why We Don't Own Anything in This Life

By Museli Mulaima

Have you ever wondered what you truly own in this life? What are the things that you can claim as yours, and what are the things that you merely borrow or rent? In this blog post, I will challenge the common notion of ownership and show you why we don't own anything in this life.

What is ownership?

Ownership is the state or fact of having exclusive rights and control over something. It implies that you have the power to use, dispose, or transfer something as you wish. Ownership also implies that you have the responsibility to take care of something and protect it from harm or loss.

But how do we acquire ownership? How do we know that something belongs to us? The answer is not so simple. In most cases, we rely on social conventions, legal systems, or moral principles to determine ownership. For example, we may say that we own a piece of land because we have a title deed, or we own a car because we have a registration certificate, or we own a spouse because we have a marriage contract. But these are just human-made rules and agreements that can change or be challenged at any time. They do not reflect the true nature of reality.

The reality of ownership

The reality is that we do not own anything in this life. Everything that we think we own is either temporary, conditional, or illusory. Let me explain why.

Temporary: Everything that we own has an expiration date. Whether it is a material object, a living being, or a concept, nothing lasts forever. Everything is subject to decay, deterioration, or destruction. Even our own bodies and lives are finite and fragile. We do not know when we will die, or when we will lose the things that we cherish. Therefore, we cannot claim that we own anything for good. We only have temporary access or possession of something for a limited period of time.

Conditional: Everything that we own is dependent on external factors. Whether it is a physical condition, a social circumstance, or a personal preference, nothing is absolute or independent. Everything is subject to change, variation, or modification. Even our own thoughts and feelings are influenced by our environment, our experiences, or our mood. We do not have full control or freedom over anything. We only have conditional use or enjoyment of something for a specific situation or purpose.

Illusory: Everything that we own is a mental construct. Whether it is a name, a label, or a value, nothing is inherent or essential. Everything is subject to interpretation, perception, or evaluation. Even our own identity and selfhood are based on our beliefs, our memories, or our expectations. We do not have a clear or objective understanding of anything. We only have illusory attachment or identification with something for a subjective reason or meaning.

The implications of ownership

If we do not own anything in this life, what does that mean for us? How should we live our lives? Here are some possible implications:

Gratitude: If we do not own anything in this life, we should be grateful for everything that we have. We should appreciate the things that we have access to, the things that we can use, and the things that we can enjoy. We should not take anything for granted, or feel entitled to anything. We should acknowledge that everything is a gift, a blessing, or a privilege.

Generosity: If we do not own anything in this life, we should be generous with everything that we have. We should share the things that we have possession of, the things that we can dispose of, and the things that we can transfer. We should not hoard anything, or be greedy for anything. We should recognize that everything is a resource, a service, or a contribution.

Detachment: If we do not own anything in this life, we should be detached from everything that we have. We should not cling to the things that we have attachment to, the things that we identify with, or the things that we value. We should not fear losing anything, or be attached to anything. We should realize that everything is a phenomenon, a manifestation, or a expression.

The conclusion of ownership

In conclusion, we do not own anything in this life. Everything that we think we own is either temporary, conditional, or illusory. Therefore, we should not be afraid of losing anything in this life, because we do not own anything here. Instead, we should be grateful, generous, and detached from everything that we have. This way, we can live a more peaceful, joyful, and meaningful life. 🙏

I hope this blog post helps you understand the illusion of ownership and how to overcome it. Thank you for reading. 😊