Exploring Poverty in Spiritual Practices

Today, I want to explore a topic as old as time: poverty. Not the kind that’s forced upon us, but the kind we sometimes choose—even if just a little bit—to get closer to something bigger than ourselves.

I’m talking about “sacred scarcity” – a concept that spans centuries and cultures, finding its place in the hearts of spiritual seekers who believe that, sometimes, less truly is more.

What is Sacred Scarcity?

To put it simply, sacred scarcity is the idea of willingly giving up certain luxuries or even basic comforts to connect more deeply with the things that matter – like relationships, self-awareness, and spirituality.

You may have heard of people taking on “poverty vows” or living with just the essentials as a spiritual discipline.

This isn’t about deprivation for deprivation’s sake; it’s about stripping away distractions and getting closer to what’s sacred.

Why Would Anyone Want to Embrace Poverty?

It might seem crazy in today’s world of endless consumption and material obsession, but embracing poverty isn’t new.

Monks, yogis, saints, and seekers across different traditions have been doing this for centuries. Why? Because choosing scarcity helps break the cycle of wanting more, more, more.

When you let go of material attachments, you suddenly see things in a different light – gratitude becomes more straightforward, and everyday moments take on a richness that money can’t buy.

In a way, it’s about creating physical and mental space to focus on your values. Think of it as a “spiritual detox,” a way to reset your priorities and reimagine what makes life fulfilling.

Poverty as a Spiritual Tool in Different Faiths

Most spiritual traditions touch on the idea of living with less. Let’s take a quick look at how some of them incorporate it:

1. Christianity: The Christian tradition strongly emphasizes humility and simplicity. From the vow of poverty taken by monks and nuns to Jesus’s teachings about giving away wealth, scarcity is viewed as a path to spiritual purity.
2. Buddhism: Buddhists talk about letting go of attachment to material things. Many Buddhist monks own nothing more than a robe and a bowl, relying on the kindness of others for their food. For them, poverty isn’t a punishment – it’s a form of freedom from worldly desires.
3. Islam: In Islam, there’s the concept of zakat, which is charity given to the less fortunate and a sense of responsibility to live modestly. This isn’t about making yourself poor but rather about sharing wealth to promote equality and remind oneself that material abundance is fleeting.
4. Hinduism: Renunciants or “sadhus” in Hinduism give up their possessions to follow a path of spiritual enlightenment, viewing wealth as a potential distraction from achieving a deeper understanding of the self and the universe.
5. Minimalism: Even outside of formal religious contexts, modern-day minimalism is a form of sacred scarcity. People often feel more connected and at peace by reducing excess and focusing on essentials.

The Gifts of Choosing Scarcity

Living with less isn’t about suffering – but discovering what enriches your life. When you reduce your material load, you might find that:

• You’re more grateful: When you don’t have everything at your fingertips, life’s simple pleasures stand out. That morning coffee? Suddenly it tastes like a luxury.
• You’re more mindful: With fewer distractions, it’s easier to be present in the moment. You notice the little things and connect more deeply with your surroundings.
• You’re more connected: The less you rely on stuff for happiness, the more you rely on relationships and experiences – and those are the things that bring genuine joy.

Sacred Scarcity in Everyday Life

Most of us don’t plan to sell our belongings or live in a monastery. But there are small ways to bring a little sacred scarcity into our lives. Here are a few ideas to try:

• Practice gratitude: Every day, take a moment to reflect on what you’re grateful for. It’s a simple way to shift your focus from what you don’t have to what you do.
• Declutter your space: Start with one area, like your closet or your kitchen. Donate what you don’t use and keep only what brings you joy or serves a purpose.
• Give something up: It doesn’t have to be permanent! Maybe go a week without ordering takeout or a month without buying new clothes. Notice how you feel when you aren’t seeking convenience or new things.
• Simplify your meals: Sometimes, we get so caught up in food variety that we forget its purpose. Try eating simpler meals for a bit—you might appreciate flavors and nourishment in a new way.

Here are 10 historical figures who embraced poverty as a path to spirituality:

1. St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226)

• Biography: Born into a wealthy family in Italy, St. Francis abandoned his wealth to live a life of poverty, dedicating himself to serving the poor and preaching humility. He founded the Franciscan Order, emphasizing simplicity and renunciation of material goods.
• Quote: “I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.”

2. Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948)

• Biography: An Indian lawyer and leader of the Indian independence movement, Gandhi promoted nonviolent resistance and chose a life of voluntary poverty, dressing in simple clothes and living on basic means as an example of self-discipline and humility.
• Quote: “The world has enough for everyone’s need but not enough for everyone’s greed.”

3. Mother Teresa (1910–1997)

• Biography: Born in Albania, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in India, dedicating her life to helping the poorest of the poor. She took a vow of poverty and believed in the power of selfless service to connect with God.
• Quote: “If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are.”

4. Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) (circa 563–483 BCE)

• Biography: Born into luxury as a prince in ancient India, Siddhartha renounced his wealth for enlightenment. He practiced extreme asceticism before finding “the Middle Way,” emphasizing simplicity and the avoidance of material attachment.
• Quote: “The root of suffering is attachment.”

5. Laozi (circa 6th century BCE)

• Biography: Laozi, the founder of Taoism, advocated for simplicity and living in harmony with the Tao, or “Way.” He believed spiritual fulfillment comes from humility and simplicity rather than material wealth.
• Quote: “He who knows he has enough is rich.”

6. Rumi (1207–1273)

• Biography: A Persian Sufi mystic and poet, Rumi taught that spiritual wealth far surpasses material wealth. He lived simply, focusing on inner richness and the love of God as the ultimate wealth.
• Quote: “When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.”

7. St. Clare of Assisi (1194–1253)

• Biography: A contemporary and follower of St. Francis, St. Clare founded the Order of Poor Ladies, later known as the Poor Clares, which embraced strict poverty as a form of spiritual devotion and liberation.
• Quote: “We become what we love, and who we love shapes what we become.”

8. Thich Nhat Hanh (1926–2022)

• Biography: A Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, promoted mindfulness, peace, and simplicity. Living in modest conditions, he taught that material excess distracts from the present moment and inner peace.
• Quote: “Peace can exist only in the present moment. It is ridiculous to say, ‘Wait until I finish this, then I will be free to live in peace.’”

9. St. John of the Cross (1542–1591)

• Biography: A Spanish mystic, Carmelite friar, and poet, St. John of the Cross advocated for spiritual asceticism, believing that true union with God required renouncing earthly attachments. He emphasized “the dark night of the soul” as part of the path.
• Quote: “To reach satisfaction in all, desire its possession in nothing.”

10. Simone Weil (1909–1943)

• Biography: A French philosopher, mystic, and political activist, Simone Weil chose to live with minimal material wealth and often engaged in manual labor, believing that humility and simplicity connected her more deeply to the suffering of others and to God.
• Quote: “To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul.”

Each figure saw poverty not as a burden but as a tool to cultivate humility, compassion, and spiritual clarity. They understood that true wealth lies in the spirit’s richness, not material possessions.

Final Thoughts

Sacred scarcity is about redefining wealth and realizing that richness often lies in simplicity. It’s about finding peace with less and appreciating the things we sometimes take for granted. You don’t need to live in poverty to appreciate the value of scarcity; it’s really about tuning into what you need – and letting go of what you don’t.

So, next time you feel the pull to buy something new or fill your life with more stuff, take a breath and ask yourself, “Do I need this? Or could I find joy in having a little less?” It’s a powerful question that might lead you to a simpler, more fulfilling way of life.