In a variety of religions there is an understanding to the nature of the physical world. It is depicted as a transitory space, a place perhaps of learning, but certainly not a place to store treasure or hope. In Hinduism the physical universe is described as Maya (Illusion), in Christianity Jesus said that “my kingdom is not of this world,” as well as depicting the ruler of earth being Satan himself and in Eckankar the physical universe is under the authority of Kal.

When we try and make a powerbase in this world of scarcity, conflict is sure to result. Resources in this world are scarce. There is no endless supply of drinkable water, food, oil, gold and so on. The scarcity of these items make them valuable in various regions where the lack is greater. This is the basis of the economic theory of supply and demand.

Attempting to build a “kingdom of God,” in a world of lack, is to build unto a false god — the god of the physical world. It may wear the mask of “Jesus,” but it isn’t Jesus, as the power of the world is directly regulated by negative force. The seduction of world building, is in personal power and enrichment.

As humans in a world of scarcity, we can easily become ruled by fear. Fear is a powerful motivator. We fear for our safety, the safety of our families, and the safety of others like ourselves. We attempt to secure safety through power and money. But this is a double edged sword. On one hand it is beneficial for ourselves, but sometimes there is a cost. If we push beyond the tipping point, we are no longer just meeting our needs, we are taking from others so that we might gain.

This story of taking from others is the basis of economic theory today. Greed, they say, moves the market. Taking from one, to feed another is the basis for American history. Taking from the Native Americans. Taking from the African continent. Taking from Asia. All for securing personal security, through kingdom building.

It’s great that we have a country that is able to provide for so many, but we must not get caught up in the sway of the world’s allure. This world is not our kingdom. If it was, it would be directly ruled by the Sugmad, and not the Kal force. The negative forces that rule this world do not win through control, but through seduction.

Do not waiver. The power of the world is a great seduction. It is a great illusion. It holds a myriad of pleasures, and promises of protection from pain. It is a great sedative to it’s own self-generative caustic environment. Nothing of this world will truly bring the realization of such seduction. They are but transitory pleasures that lack permanence that either perish in their own timeline, or are lost when we leave the body.

Analogy

Asking for needs met, is not wrong. Having gratitude for one’s home, job, family is very spiritual. The problem is when the need blends into a desire and the desire in a world of scarcity, takes from others in order to enrich itself.

Consider a classroom of 10 children, and 10 cookies on a back table. One cookie per child. One child though, takes 4 cookies, he eats one for himself and saves 3 of the cookies for his friends in a different class. His motive is based on giving cookies to his friends, and from his perspective he is helping “others,” but he is doing this through by taking from others.

Worse yet is the child who takes 3 extra for themselves.

On a larger scale, this behavior leads to conflict, hostilities, war, inhumane reactions and so on.

This is why the physical world can not be a spiritual kingdom. It is based in a world of scarcity, and any great effort will ultimately take from another, to a point of unfairness and greed.