The Economics of the Present Moment

I have some thoughts around the economics of the present moment. We spend money either to take care of our necessities or it is to experience the present moment. 

Allow me to illustrate this with examples.  Food, shelter and clothing are necessities of our lives if you can do away with a cheaper jeans. But why do people go for Armani and Gucci? Because they look good. It boosts their ego, they feel pampered, they feel nice about themselves and then in that state if you closely observe mind is completely in that moment. Then mind is not pondering on past or worried about future. That high state of awareness brings mind in that present moment. 

Similarly for food, we can spend money on simple dal chawal. But what drives the restaurant business? It's present moment. When people come there, Experience the ambience the delicious food, mind goes in a 'wow' expression. That's when we experience present moment. Yes we do chit chat talk about the past and the future, but that blissful state happens when you say Wow! And mind comes to present moment.

I often wondered why do we spend money. And my conclusion is that it is to experience the present moment. Let me explain this with another example. After doing in depth analysis of the past data and drawing future projections, mind gets tired at work. After that when you come home and fix yourself your favourite drink, sit on a cozy balcony chair that faces the sea. Cool breeze is brushing your face and your favourite music is being played around. You go in that wow feeling. At that moment, if you notice, your mind is completely in present moment. So to buy a sea facing apartment and spending money on such luxuries simply enables mind to come in present moment. 

The entire economy runs to bring people in this moment. And then every mind is different. Some find their present moment in a concert, some find it in a thrilling ride, some find it on the mountain top while some find it while some find it while renting a sleek black Mercedes. 

Why do we spend on a movie? Some would say for entertainment. But what does entertainment do to you? When you are charged with all those emotions that the movie is triggering in you, you feel alive. Whether it's thrill, horror, comedy, drama you are hooked on. In that moment you are not thinking about the grocery list that you have to buy. You are fully engrossed in that moment. So you might feel that you are spending on your friend's birthday cake so that he or she would be happy. But you are really spending that money so that your friend experiences that present moment. Imagine while cutting cake the friend is thinking about yesterday's exams. Would you still consider it as money well spent?

Yes there are certain essential things where you have to spend money. Like basic food, clothing, shelter, education, travel etc . They need not necessarily bring you to the present moment. But apart from these necessities, all of the money spent is to experience the present moment. 

Now imagine you are in present moment all the time. You wouldn't need money at all. You would use all your money in only bringing others to the present moment.

What are your thoughts on this? Whether you agree or disagree, I would love to hear from you. Please do comment.