The main reason for inordinate desire for enjoying and
possessing external things is the inner emptiness we feel. We somehow try to
ignore this inner emptiness by outer possessions. We substitute the inner loss
by outer gains. The main cause for this inner emptiness is the want of
fulfillment. If our inner being is suffused with the sense of fulfillment, we
do not hanker for external things; for name, fame, power, and position.
In fact, it is unwise to think that the inner emptiness can
be filled by the possession of external things. Spiritual resources alone can
do this. When we are in touch with this resource, inner emptiness will take to
its heels. Then the loss and gain of external matters will not unsettle us.
To give an illustration, a reservoir remains full always, if
the springs at the bottom are open and discharging water unceasingly. We cannot
expect it to be full always by feeding it with water from outside.
Source - The Psychological Aspects of Spiritual
Life by Swami Nityasthananda – From Prabuddha Bharata Feb 2016