Worldly Intoxicants

The three worldly intoxicants are possessions, power, and pleasure. They are not inherently evil, but when they are pursued in excess they can throw a person out of balance and damage their peace, integrity, and relationships.

Possessions – Power – Pleasure. Or in another expression, Money – Power – Sex. There is nothing wrong with making a good honest wage, exerting positive personal power to assist humanity, or enjoying yourself. But in order to have peace during your moments of self-reflection, you need to keep things in perspective.

Over indulgence of any of the above three worldly intoxicants can throw a person out of balance. What begins as a normal desire can become a controlling habit when a person is driven by image, control, or approval instead of wisdom and character.

How to determine if someone, including you, is over indulging in the three worldly intoxicants of possessions, power, and pleasure. The over indulger will talk negatively about other people behind their backs. Unless you are reporting a crime, or objectively notifying authorities of a person with a perceived dysfunction, do not talk negatively behind other people’s backs.

Talking negatively behind backs is often a reflection of self-doubt and insecurity. When people speak badly of others, they are often trying to feel better about themselves and their own wrongdoings. Their motto becomes, “They are worse than me, so that makes me better than them.” To alleviate stress and preserve your dignity, never talk negatively behind another person’s back. To do so is an exercise in self-destruction.

Fill your time with positive activities: exercise, school, employment, community service, and other constructive pursuits. A life built on purpose is much harder to destabilize than a life built on craving.

If you do not have something good to say about someone, then do not say it. The exception is when a child needs to inform a parent if their intuition tells them that a person makes them feel uncomfortable or has evil intent. Children need time to speak freely and safely.

“A balanced life is not built by chasing excess; it is built by keeping your values clear, your habits disciplined, and your conscience awake.”— MOTSHAC