Thursday, June 9, 2011

What is in your tog-bag?

Modern life is about the accumulation of material goods which translates into the precept of being well-off or of being seen as someone of means. In other words: material possessions, lots of them.

The challenge with the precept in question is that it is a precept rather than a tangible event. It relies on the visual appearance rather than the actual state of affairs. The challenge also relies on others falling for the illusion rather than accepting the actual reality.

The theory behind ‘what is in your tog bag’ is about unpacking the so-called tog bag until one is freed up from all the self-imposed material constraints that limit one’s ability to live and function as a human being.

The theory also relies on one’s ability to step-away from being a wage-slave; which is quite contrary to that which the fiduciary system calls for. What the theory does not call for is irresponsible reactive action while in the pursuit of unpacking the proverbial ‘tog bag.’

The ability to step-away from being a wage slave implies a pro-active action that will gradually lead to one being able to step-away from being caught up in a world where material possessions and living-the-high-life illusion reigns supreme.

Thus walking away from one’s self imposed fiduciary responsibilities is not what the theory calls for. Quite the contrary. One needs to step-away from the real world without the worry that debt-hounds will eventually rob one of the sought-after freedoms.

The first step towards understanding the ‘what is in your tog bag’ theory is to visualise an empty ‘tog bag’ lying on the floor full of emptiness. This visualisation process is an important one as the picture of an empty ‘tog bag’ must be fully understood and felt by the mind. If the visualisation process is executed correctly, one must be able to touch and smell the empty ‘tog bag’ lying on the floor.

The ensuing steps revolve around picking up the ‘tog bag’ and beginning to slowly start filling it with ‘stuff’ that one uses on a daily basis i.e. toothpaste, toothbrush, clothes, shoes, wallet, briefcase, etc. Feeling the weight of the ‘tog bag’ increasing becomes the paramount sensation in the continuing visualisation process.

Once all the ‘stuff’ that one uses on a daily basis are packed, one can progress to filling the ‘tog bag’ with electrical utensils i.e. kettle, microwave oven, coffee percolator, etc. Once all the utensils have been packed in the ‘tog bag,’ start filling it up with the rest of the possessions one has in the home i.e. bed, bed linen, desks, couches, TV, computers, etc.

When all these have been packed in the ‘tog bag,’ one can now place the last remaining items in the ‘tog bag’ i.e. car, bicycle, gym equipment, workshop tools, garden tools and equipment, etc.

Finally one can add the ‘home’ to the bag.

It must be ensured that after each step, the incremental weight increase is felt by the mind’s eye. Even if one understands that one cannot lift said bag from the floor, ensure that the exertion required is felt to its fullest extent. Again, the sensation of weight to the mind’s eye is of paramount importance.

To the final sensation, start asking the question: What can I do without and still retain the lifestyle that I want to live? Do not rush this step. Think about it carefully over the span of a few days, all-the-while recalling the weight-sensation of the full ‘tog bag’ every time the question is asked (recalled.)

Once one is comfortable with the realistic answer, visualise the items being removed from the ‘tog bag’ and the sensation of relief evident from the reduction in weight of the ‘tog bag.’ Feel this sensation to its fullest extent. Again, the relief must be felt by the mind’s eye.

The items in question must at first only be those items that are dragging one down or are of unnecessary bulk.

Once the items have been identified and accepted by the mind from amongst all the rationale imposed on the question asked, bit-by-bit, one can start implementing a physical plan-of-action with the view to getting rid of said items or reducing the obligatory debt associated with said items i.e. credit card debt, unused gym equipment, etc.

It must be emphasised that throughout the continuing process, the sensation of ‘weight’ must be visualised and fully felt by the mind’s eye. This includes the ‘relief’ felt when items are removed from the ‘tog bag.’

The whole exercise uses left vs. right brain activation processes as the means to achieving a goal. Being able to just positively think about overcoming a problem does not instinctively instigate the required actions for lightening of one’s material life burden.

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