Why?

Mao Zedong represents the attempt to change people's lives through material means. He shunned his Buddhist roots in favor of using revolution and economics to improve the lives of the Chinese people. In addition he chose action over words. This propelled him to the top of the heap. As with most people, power corrupted his thinking. Look at the world of today - we believe constant change (revolution) will improve our lives. Companies tell us new technology will make our lives better. Look at Bill Gates, first he wanted to improve life through technology, now he wants to control it. As much as people resist change, they constantly change everything in their lives thinking it will make them happier.

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Why are pictures of Mao Zedong, Homer Simpson, and Buddha included in the persona box? Mao and Buddha represent two sides of the quest for happiness, while Homer is the man in the middle.


	Mao Zedong represents the attempt to change people's lives through material means. He shunned his Buddhist roots in favor of using revolution and economics to improve the lives of the Chinese people. In addition he chose action over words. This propelled him to the top of the heap. As with most people, power corrupted his thinking. Look at the world of today - we believe constant change (revolution) will improve our lives. Companies tell us new technology will make our lives better. Look at Bill Gates, first he wanted to improve life through technology, now he wants to control it. As much as people resist change, they constantly change everything in their lives thinking it will make them happier.




	Buddha represents the other side of the coin. He shunned all materialism and focused on the self as a way to happiness. Buddha says that constant change and material desires are the cause of suffering and will never make us happy. Buddha's ideas are the antithesis of modern day concepts of happiness through material progress. When we can separate ourselves from materialism and look inward, then we can find happiness and improve life on Earth. In our fast-paced world of constant change, Buddha represents our desire to just "Be". Buddha also steps away from the desire to control anything but himself. He was willing to educate and advise, but not control.




	Doh! Yep, we are all to some extent like Homer; haplessly walking through life trying to find happiness, trying to get rich, etc, etc. We are all really trying to get through life the best way we can. In the process we find that sometimes we fall ass backwards into some bit of good luck or momentary sense of satisfaction or peace. Over the years Homer has had his fair share of financial and spiritual crises just like the rest of us. Ultimately he represents just how clueless we all are when it comes to the best way to live our lives. Many of us are guilty of living by one of Homer's personal creedos - if you don't like your job you don't strike. You just go in every day and do it really half-assed. Sound familiar?