Stewardship
One of the more radical notions that I remember learning as a young zen student in my early 20’s was that the self we believe exists that “owns” things is a social agreement — a utility illusion that ultimately became a dominant cultural meme.
The implication of becoming free from this illusion is the realization that what we say we “have”, we only have as stewards. They are things given to us from the universe, every molecule and wave of which will return again to the universe for endless cycles of other people “having” these things. The breath I now breathe, the money I will today make and spend, the ideas I get and express, the things I enjoy and get and give, and every quantum inch of my being — all come and go … that I am steward of. They are as much mine as clouds are the property of the sky. And there is nothing else to know in order to have compassion and wisdom the size of the universe.
