New techniques are continually being introduced in our society; new books are constantly brought out. You think the books might tell you how to become a better person, a happier person. You want to be happy forever, permanently and independently. This also seems to be the idea that many people have of freedom, but this is a misunderstanding of what genuine freedom is. You are being entertained by the idea of freedom rather than truly becoming spiritually free. Once you are free, you think, you will be able to indulge in your spiritual achievement. You will have power over others. Something in you thinks that you might take over the whole world. Becoming a spiritual emperor is the essential idea of this kind of spiritual materialism.

There might be some wisdom in that approach, but it has been said that it is not only wisdom that is important but also compassion. Compassion makes the difference between the materialistic approach to spirituality and the natural, genuine quality of spirituality. The spiritual approach without spiritual materialism is based on compassion.

From “The Myth of Happiness,” in Work, Sex, Money: Real Life on the Path of Mindfulness, condensed from pages 78 to 79.