When I talk about object obsession I know the problem.
I have been known to push aside little old ladies to get at the oatmeal raisin cookies after church, and one of these days I’m going to have that pickup/jeep.
But like a lot of people I worry about advent season becoming a season of wants and gotta-have’s.
I think like most parents and grandparents we shake our heads in dismay when we watch children obsess over their iPhone, iPad, etc. Do they ever look up?
However we would make a mistake if we thought this focus on objects is a selfish act, when in fact it is the opposite.
When one’s activity and efforts are totally focused an object such as a video game or one’s twitter account, the self is neglected.
The individual is far removed from seeking universal knowledge or true enlightenment. Instead the obsession is a surrender to the inanimate.
Suzy and I belong to a group in Charlotte that gets together once a month to talk about issues of the day, but one person’s suggestion was we put aside current events.
Instead we were all asked to tell the group something about ourselves that might provide insights into who we are, and it was one of the best gatherings we ever had.
Object obsession enables one to shut out contact with our fellow humans, when what we need right now is more contact and understanding.
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