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Have you ever wondered if spiritual teachings about avoiding greed mean you're supposed to live an unfulfilling life? Our latest exploration of "Depraved Happiness" tackles this common misconception head-on.

When Zen philosophy identifies greed as one of the three poisons (alongside anger and ignorance), many practitioners mistakenly conclude they must embrace material lack or deprivation. This episode unravels this misunderstanding, revealing that Zen doesn't aim to deprive you of joy or fulfillment—rather, it seeks to free you from the gullibility that makes us chase after temporary satisfactions that never truly satisfy.

We examine the stark difference between forced contentment—those half-hearted "I'm okay, I guess" responses—and genuine contentment that celebrates life without comparison. True contentment isn't settling for less because "things could be worse" or because you don't deserve better. Instead, it's recognizing what is as the foundation for what can become. We challenge toxic positivity phrases like "beggars can't be choosers," affirming that human dignity doesn't diminish with circumstance.

By the end, we arrive at a powerful realization: contentment isn't the end goal but the bedrock upon which fulfillment is built. When we stop comparing our reality to imagined alternatives, we discover a deeper satisfaction that transcends our usual metrics of happiness. Join us in exploring how accepting what is becomes the solid platform from which authentic joy emerges.

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Dr. Ruben Lambert can be found at wisdomspring.com

Ven. MyongAhn Sunim can be found at soshimsa.org