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Store Up Virtue, Not Stuff

5/31/10 at 9:30 am | 20 Comments   by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

You’ve often heard me say that the Tao is filled with paradox. In the 59th verse of the Tao Te Ching, for example, we find what looks like the paradoxical idea that a no-limits life begins with self-control, moderation, and thrift. Living in thrift and moderation means being in harmony with the world through your generous nature. Be one who accumulates a warehouse full of virtue by living in accordance with the Tao. When virtue is what you have to give away, you’ll naturally be more moderate, humble, and less demanding. Feel joyful knowing that the example you’re setting is helping others make the right choices, too. Practice living without limits by gathering virtue.

For years I practiced gathering virtue without realizing it. I sent hundreds of thousands of books to individuals and organizations at my own expense, getting into the habit of beginning each day with this act of love. I spent a great deal of time giving away much of what I earned, almost all of it anonymously. I didn’t realize it at the time, but what I was doing was accumulating virtue, or what I facetiously call “God points.”

I then found that not all of my life was to be peaks and mountaintops. Yet when I succeeded in getting out from under what felt like a mountain, I was virtually unscathed. This is because I was so deeply rooted and firmly planted in the Tao that my original vision was to be a lasting one, impervious to external circumstances.

Change the way you look at your life by moderating your ego. See yourself as a being who gives rather than collects, and live on what you need rather than practicing conspicuous consumption. You’ll begin to see that your purpose has more to do with Tao consciousness than ego directives. When you moderate your demands and use only what you and your family require, you’ll gather virtue points by serving rather than accumulating. Lao-tzu reminds us that this is “the secret of long life and lasting vision.”

Make a commitment to gather five virtue points today. Imagine how the Divine Source must be operating in order to maintain the creation cycles of life, and do five things that match up to it. Pick up a piece of someone else’s trash, which is an example of excess; anonymously give a gift to someone in need; or perform any other actions that help you accumulate virtue and remain deeply rooted in the Tao.

FILED UNDER: wayne dyer, lao-tzu, tao te ching, moderation, virtue, thrift, ego, no-limits life

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Comments (20)

  • 1.
    May 31, 2010
    8:20 am

    great as you are ever time you express Knowing others is intelligence knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich. Tao Te Ching quote namaste

    - Mucunda
  • 2.
    May 31, 2010
    8:32 am

    I can write orthographical sign , sorry

    - Mucunda
  • 3.
    May 31, 2010
    9:06 am

    Lack of self-control, over-indulgence, conspicuous consumption - all harbor an underlying belief in scarcity, engendering a "get-it-now" mentality. Dennis ______

    - Dennis
  • 4.
    May 31, 2010
    10:04 am

    I "recycle God's blessings". I've never been one for material possessions and choose to own very litte. I give away the gifts God has given me: knowledge, wisdon, talent, etc. Professionally or personally, if there is a need, I honor it seeking nothing in return. No hidden motives. Pure Love. The Blessings always return.

    - Janet Pfeiffer, The Secret Side of Anger
  • 5.
    May 31, 2010
    11:09 am

    Wonderful message, simple and easiily do-able, and the beginning is to, in your words, "See yourself as a being who gives rather than collects." First be, then do, you can know you're on the right track through your feelings; being in harmony with God is to feel peaceful.

    - Valerie Curcuro, Life Coach
  • 6.
    May 31, 2010
    11:42 am

    Good advice, Dr. Dyer! It reminds me of something I heard once before that said, "the more I have, the more I can give away. The more I give away, the more I have."

    - Jacques
  • 7.
    May 31, 2010
    1:56 pm

    Hello Dr. Dyer, thank you so much for your words, lately you dont have the idea how your lessons have impacted on my today life. The idea of serving is something that sometimes is not so easy, but I must say that I am doing my very best to everyday ask myself how can I serve. may God be with you always. Joao from Salvador Brazil

    - Joao
  • 8.
    May 31, 2010
    2:26 pm

    Thank you.

    - Vikki
  • 9.
    June 1, 2010
    1:58 am

    I would love to send you a copy of the book I contributed to (or perhaps I can give it to you in person when I attend the Carribean Cruise and hear you speak in person). Thank you for continually sharing your wisdom Dr. Dyer!

    - Helene
  • 10.
    June 1, 2010
    9:49 am

    I developed a family/friends blog from Dr. Dyer teachings I have used for a year now. Can visibly see life changes - friends (they definitely changed) and the way I approach others. It includes monthly theme, daily affirmations, intentions, mediation/prayer focus and thought patterns to use in the rebuilding of my thoughts. Advise it for you.

    - Jim
  • 11.
    June 1, 2010
    10:35 am

    Dr. Dyer as always: Words of Wisdom. The more we give in all aspects, the more we grow as human beings. Collecting is cluttering our world, giving is expanding it. And is always what we collect on the inside not on the outside; as you always thought me. Thank you :0)

    - Diana, Health Life Coach
  • 12.
    June 1, 2010
    10:42 am

    Finally have the oportunity to say hi and thanks to you Dr Wayne Dyer. I happened to see you on tv about 5 years ago and since then i've been following your teachings, you will always be there in my mind, hope you can read my message thanks again

    - josher
  • 13.
    June 1, 2010
    4:40 pm

    Dr. Dyer, I have been reading your books for about ten years now and love this opportunity to be with you online. Thank you for helping me move forward in my life. catherine

    - catherine
  • 14.
    June 3, 2010
    10:43 am

    You are a blessing, such a blessing! A living example of the Tao.

    - Pratik T. Dabhi
  • 15.
    June 4, 2010
    4:15 pm

    Gracias por estar ahi

    - MariaJosep
  • 16.
    June 4, 2010
    8:36 pm

    Dr. Dyer, Just a simplistic little note to tell you how very loved you are! Reading your words, absorbing your humble gifts, I am touched by God to my very core! Anna in the Desert of Phoenix

    - anna
  • 17.
    June 5, 2010
    6:01 pm

    Thank you Dr. Dyer, espically in these tighter economic times its a great reminder that less is actually so very much more! - Julie

    - Julie
  • 18.
    June 7, 2010
    11:50 pm

    Namaste Dr. Dyer, Your movie 'The Shift' has been a Great Motivation and leading to a Shift in the life of many members in our Organisation. We are doing Satsang daily here in Aligarh, India. Thank you so much for motivating us and uplifting our Souls. Our Positive IMAGING- Being in your company here in India.

    - Siddharth Bhaiyaji
  • 19.
    June 9, 2010
    7:04 am

    A challenge would be to practice virtue on those who harm you, or try to. You build up gold bridges to your "enemies" , that`s really a virtue, isn't it? Good work, but they continue to show up. Maybe the bridge?Anyway, healthy and great amounts of divine sense of humor will come to you accross the golden bridge. God laughs with you

    - ROSSANA
  • 20.
    June 10, 2010
    1:07 pm

    As a former compusive "collector" (of too many types of things to list), I can say how freeing it is to what is popularly called "downsizing".. I had previously thought I needed to learn to let go of the need for the stuff, THEN let go of the stuff, but getting rid of all the stuff, got rid of the need for it,

    - Rebecca

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