Austerity is often mistaken for poverty or self-denial. It is neither. Austerity comes out of maturity. It is a sign of social health. People who practice austerity are often resentful of richness. This is a very pitiable state. Such austerity is not born out of maturity but out of compulsion. True austerity has tolerance for richness and is never resentful. In fact, one who is mature will have pity for one who is not austere. Vanity is poverty of the spirit and austerity brings freedom from the pride of vanity. But taking pride in austerity is also vanity.
Austerity is not opposed to celebration and vanity alone cannot be celebration. Celebration dawns in the spirit. Only one who is rich in spirit can practice austerity. One may be rich materially but if he is poor in spirit, he can neither celebrate nor evolve.
Austerity comes out of abundance, and austerity brings abundance. If you feel a lack in any area of life, immediately start austerity. Austerity not only brings freedom but nurtures sharing and caring.
