Millionaire gives all his money to an organization

[Sheila]

Karl Rabeder, the Austrian businessman who last year decided to give away his large fortune, because he realized money didn’t make him happy, now lives on just $1,350 a month.

…a millionaire from Telfs, Austria, [he] announced he was in the process of selling his luxury properties and businesses because he had realized money is counterproductive and actually prevented him from being happy. His goal was to “have nothing left, absolutely nothing”. Mr Rabeder, who came from a poor family where the rules were to work more and achieve material things, confessed that for a long time he believed more wealth automatically brings more happiness. But lately he kept hearing a voice telling him to stop what he was doing and begin his real life. He started to feel like a slave working for things he didn’t actually want or need.

For a while he didn’t have the courage to give up all the wealth he and his family had become used to, but he finally made the big decision during a holiday in Hawaii. Karl and his wife spent all the money they could actually spend, but realized they hadn’t met a single real person throughout their stay. They felt like they were all actors; “the staff played the role of being friendly and the guests played the role of being important and nobody was real,” the former businessman remembers thinking. He also experienced feelings of guilt on gliding trips over African and South American countries and says he began feeling like there was “a connection between our wealth and their poverty”….

Rabeder raffled his beautiful Alpine home, selling 21,999 lottery tickets for €99 ($134) each, to people who hoped to once live in such a luxurious home, sold his vacation house in the Provence, his collection of gliders, an Audi A8, and the interior decoration business that helped him make his fortune. He set up an organization called MyMicroCredit, which helps people in third world countries, and transferred all the money in its accounts.

But this all happened last year, and I wondered how the former millionaire was getting along these days, after renouncing all his material possessions. Luckily, I came across an interview the 48-year-old gave for German newspaper Spiegel-Online, in which he explains how his life has improved since he adopted a more frugal lifestyle. Asked if his new life is as good as he imagined it, Karl Rabeder said it’s “better”. Looking at a photo of him, taken last year, standing in front of his old home, he says he looked ten years older, sadder and more tired than he does now.

Rabeder admits money is a great thing in the beginning, because it offers real freedom. It allowed him to pursue his passion for gliding and pay for his studies, which his parents could not afford. However, he now realizes he made the mistake of thinking that having ten times an amount of money would make him ten times happier, which simply wasn’t true. When focusing only on financial success, one lacks the very thing that makes him human, the former millionaire believes….Asked if there was anything he missed from his former life, Rabeder answered “time”. He spent 20 years living a life that didn’t really fit him.

Karl Rabeder used to live in a 321 square-meter house in the Tyrolean Telfs, but has now moved in a 19 square-meter wooden cabin, and lives on just €1,000 ($1350) a month. He is a lifestyle coach and gives seminars on themes like “Happiness can be learned” or “Enough money to be happy” to people willing to listen to his arguments, and has even published a book called “He who has nothing can give everything”. He doesn’t make as much money as before, but some would say there is still something left from the businessman he used to be. They would be wrong, because while Rabeder feels good about pursuing a career that’s fun and good for him, instead of sitting on the terrace every day with his feet in the sun, he donates all excess funds to his MyMicroCredit organization.

Although he has done what other businessmen perceive as unthinkable, Karl Rabeder says he doesn’t judge those who decide to keep their wealth. ”I do not have the right to give any other person advice. I was just listening to the voice of my heart and soul,” he said.


http://www.mymicrocredit.org/mymicro...ex.php/en/home

See nice photos that accompany story here --

http://www.odditycentral.com/news/mi...0-a-month.html

[Samsara]

I have only quickly scanned this but I'd love to come back to read more thoroughly since, I simply adore such stories!! They make my spirit well up with such incredible warmth! I'm very passionate about such subject matter but I can hardly share all that I feel within a short post.

The "Less is More" philosophy seems to be the route to happiness since, the more one owns the more stressors one has.

Also agree with the superficiality of it all. Truly, it has always sickened me to witness opulent and excessive lifestyles. It's beyond ridiculous and in many cases, utter insanity.......nothing to be envious about IMHO. In fact, it's to be pitied more than anything else.

To witness extreme wealth while the so many people must live in extreme poverty has always been too big for my soul to comprehend. I remember noticing such vast inequities as a young child. They were blantantly obvious but everyone was walking around in denial, with blinders pretending that such did not exist, even within my own community.

Every time I asked too many relevant questions based on my observations I was given, what I believed to be, unacceptable responses. I knew I wasn't misinterpreting the world around me and I KNEW deep down in side that I was seeing reality but but no one would acknowledge it. .....the majority were in denial......not willing to discuss nor do anything about it and/or provided me with such unintelligent answers that hardly made any sense at all.

Shocking how a child could view the denial being lived by the adults in their lives and their community. I truly remember not having faith due to the blantant and vivid hypocracies displayed all around me day in and day out. I also felt a sense of alienation and began to question IF what I was seeing was real because no one would confirm what I saw.

It does a real number on a child's mind..........leading them to believe that they are somehow living in a state of unreality. BTW, I've never had any form of mental illness. Rather, just a child who never really felt connected to her world despite being very popular. However, I was never comfortable with my popularity and the constant attention I received since, I wanted people to see ME .........the core of who I was and not the exterior.

Consequently, I always sought to find people's hearts, their souls........wanted to feel WHO they were, connect in meaningful ways since I had little interest the exterior. Unfortunately, many people weren't interested in such connections and thus, despite my popularity I felt very lonely............like I was viewing life as a spectator even though I was actively engaged in so many acitivies and had many friends ..........countless opportunites to date etc.

Once again, I just didn't feel CONNECTED to the superficiality, madness and hypocracies nor willing to buy into them too deeply.

Anyway, my response may be a bit off-topic and presented in a disjointed fashion since, I haven't read the whole post (above) but rather the first section, not to mention my mind is fading.

I will likely regret constructing this post and writing about my childhood but it's gettting late and thus, I will have let it go.

Thanks for posting this Sheila. I will definitely come back to this thread.


Samsara

[Luc]

I suggest that we clone Karl Rabeder. And in as many carbon copies as possible.

[Sheila]

Thanks for sharing what you did, Samsara. I suspect a lot of people here were the observant children who were sensitive to the pain of others, and reading your post will really resonate for them.

It's great that you have been able to come back to your own vision of the world and trust it more, despite the lack of mirroring early on.

I have also come to believe that the obstacles in our early lives will serve a purpose in helping us fulfill our missions. And, I don't just mean the obvious things like how overcoming them makes us stronger -- although that's certainly true. But I mean something that may not be obvious yet. And I don't know what it is!

[Samsara]

Thanks for sharing what you did, Samsara.

Oh Sheila, you are always the sweetest, most supportive person to everyone and always put in SO MUCH CARING EFFORT. I often wonder WHO is nurturing HER? Thank you so much for being just so darn incredible to everyone, in so many ways, not to mention so brilliant!

With all that said, I actually wish I didn't post my thoughts (lol). I got off track and it actually made me feel too exposed (lol). But in another way that's good thing. I'm into freeing myself and to not care what anyone thinks however, it is a journey of taking small risks one at a time isn't it?


I suspect a lot of people here were the observant children who were sensitive to the pain of others, and reading your post will really resonate for them.

I have no doubt. Many of us our born sensitive and intuitive from from the get-go (nature). In regard to the Nurture aspect, IF we are not nurtured in a sensitive way it creates confusion and further sensitivities and an alienation from self. Anyway, as you know, there's so much to discuss about that subject.

It's great that you have been able to come back to your own vision of the world and trust it more, despite the lack of mirroring early on.

Now, you have presented the correct "word" that I was struggling so hard to find. TRUST is the key word indeed as well as one's OWN vision. Thank you for highlighting the essential theme of my post. Wish I could have done so but, as you know, this cognitive stuff really makes it difficult to articulate oneself during WD.

In any case, I really value you feedback.

I have also come to believe that the obstacles in our early lives will serve a purpose in helping us fulfill our missions.

Very much so!

And, I don't just mean the obvious things like how overcoming them makes us stronger -- although that's certainly true. But I mean something that may not be obvious yet. And I don't know what it is!

Yes, I can understand what you are saying. I believe that our greatest discoveries are usually never in the obvious range but rather, are come upon, unexpectedly............unanticipated and when they do reveal, it is a life altering experience.

This has occurred to me several times years ago. As you know, our greatest struggles push us into places we would never go otherwise and we usually enter those places with great fear which takes great courage but usually results in great clarity, discovering parts of ourself that we never knew existed. Great empowerment comes from such and thus, greater freedom from the past as well as a great respect and love for oneself and towards others.

Okay, I'm getting very lost in my own mind and I better stop right now. I'm usually half out of mind when I post (lol). BTW, I'm not joking.

There is so much that can be relayed but I better keep this short since, I tend to post too much and then pay a price afterwards. (lol) So, so many great topics here at IAWP but trying to discuss in written form is a huge challenge.

As always, thank you for being such a cheerleader, coach for everyone. You still have your own recovery to content with and I do hope that you are nurturing yourself.

Sincerely wish you complete recovery in the very near future and in the meantime, sending healing light/energy your way.


Samsara

[Samsara]

I suggest that we clone Karl Rabeder. And in as many carbon copies as possible.

I just re-read the article short time ago and I very much agree with you Luc.

I guess the point that I failed to articulate was...... IF I had been exposed to such people earlier in life I would have felt more connected to this world rather than disconnected. I would have had something to relate to that felt in alignment with my spirit.

People like him are such strong role models for children. Anyway, not seeking any type of response BTW.

Samsara

[Sheila]

Gosh, thanks for the kind words, Samsara! Made me feel g-r-e-a-t!!!

And I was struggling earlier this morning with something I'm trying to understand and write, and you wrote something that really helped me get unstuck --

Yes, I can understand what you are saying. I believe that our greatest discoveries are usually never in the obvious range but rather, are come upon, unexpectedly............unanticipated and when they do reveal, it is a life altering experience.

This has occurred to me several times years ago. As you know, our greatest struggles push us into places we would never go otherwise and we usually enter those places with great fear which takes great courage but usually results in great clarity, discovering parts of ourself that we never knew existed. Great empowerment comes from such and thus, greater freedom from the past as well as a great respect and love for oneself and towards others.

You know...why does evolution of the individual and the whole have to be so damn hard? You bring up a really good point here -- we discover parts of ourself that we never knew existed. Clearly, that's not something you can plan to do. So it makes sense that it would have to kind of be thrust upon us!

You will be seeing this soon in some writing of mine, and I will credit you!

[Samsara]

[QUOTE=Sheila;1001]Gosh, thanks for the kind words, Samsara! Made me feel g-r-e-a-t!!!

It truly was my pleasure Sheila! Believe me, you DO DESERVE the praise since, it has been well earned!

And I was struggling earlier this morning with something I'm trying to understand and write, and you wrote something that really helped me get unstuck --

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for letting me know this Sheila. It feels like a spiritual moment and thus, an unanticipated blessing to hear this!

[Samsara]

[QUOTE=Sheila;1001]Gosh, thanks for the kind words, Samsara! Made me feel g-r-e-a-t!!!

And I was struggling earlier this morning with something I'm trying to understand and write, and you wrote something that really helped me get unstuck --


sorrry to post another thought about this but I messed up something in my last post and accidentally deleted some thoughts. In regard to someone saying something to provoke a breakthrough of some kind. A short time ago, someone said something to me that I did not anticipate and TBH, it hit me with great force, so much so that I could NOT respond to it EVEN though it shook the core of my being and provoked such a deep revelation ...........a revelation that was at the core of my deepest losss and pain in life. Even more powerful is the intention behind the words etc.

I was so moved by it but at the same time it deepened my trauma and losses in life however, also at the same time it felt VERY HEALING to me. This person is still unaware of the impact of their statement since, I've been unable to deliver my thoughts without becoming quite emotional. I guess what I wish to say is that sometimes, someone can say something that would seem so ordinary or expected (what most people woudl take for granted and/or regualrly receive) but to someone who is pain, the same "something" can feel like the most powerful and/or meaningful word/phrase that they have ever received in their life to date. Oh gosh, I better stop talking about it now since, it is shaking me up as I write this.

BTW, I better clarify, I'm not suggesting that MY words has this intense of an impact on you. I'm just sharing an experience of mine that has occurred recently that has changed THIS MOMENT in life but also has brought a clarity about something that I was very conscious/aware about however, this person (without knowing it) had given me something very meaningful to hold on to and to work with. You know, I'm starting to dart off in a different direction I think and there is so much I could write about this but my mind is not in the greatest shape to do so. I hope some of this makes some sense.

You know...why does evolution of the individual and the whole have to be so damn hard?

Hard and extremely painful isn't it? The "why"? Because we are confused humans (all of us). Humans are doomed to experience pain since, we are not born psychic and we are all struggling to survive and in that struggle we hurt, harm and destroy each other, intentionally and unintentionally and thus, we are not only constantly trying to heal from the past hurts but also from the present hurts that come into our life unexpectedly.

Of course present pains excavate past pains and past traumas and pains always influence the pain of the present. Consequently, we can easily become one big mixed up buddle of emotions. Trying to sort it all out is, as you know, a painful and difficult process even for the most skilled and educated person since, OUR pain is too close.....too personal sometimes and we can't see the forest for the trees. Of course, WD intensifies all of these psycholgocial dyamics to the extreme as well as the confusion and fear factor which intenfies ruminations, traumas, obsessions etc.

This is why we all need outside help, support and/or feedback. Most of all, sometimes I think we just need to be in the physical presence of someone who can silently understand (someone who has been through exactly what we've been through). This simple thing IMHO could provide such powerful healing in many ways without having to work anything out. But that's a whole other subject that I could write, at length about. (lol)

Sadly, it's taken me a long time to learn this. I've tried so hard for too long to be as emotionally independent as possible (which is a good thing but only to a certain degree)However, and I know you already know this re: reflected in your posts, that great possibilities emerge from these incredible times IF we are open to it and we are only open to if via TRUST. This trust, I believe, hinges upon a strong desire and interested in personal evolution. Some people choose this route while other choose to self-destruct even further by becoming bitter or by choosing to remain bonded to their trauma/victimization (which is an unintentional form of self-abuse IMHO).

Wish to clarify something here: when we are in the throws of WD the "bonding to our past traumas" becomes very intense (through no fault of our own BTW). I just don't wish for anyone to believe that I am blaming them for this. I myself am currently deeply bonded to my past traumas despite the fact that I have a strong desire for personal evolution. but it's due to WD (although it is a bit more complicated than that)

I guess those who believe in evolution will evolve and those who don't will not evolve. For example, there are many people who go through life altering events who do not evolve. I've seen it many times and continue to witness such and then I witness others who emerge with miraculous evolution and yet, others with moderate forms of empowerment. There are varying degrees of evolution that occur and they occur based on necessity and thus, not necessariy based on the traumatic experience that one has encountered.

Some are literally born again to the max while others just quit the drug but continued on without experiencing any huge insights etc.

You bring up a really good point here -- we discover parts of ourself that we never knew existed. Clearly, that's not something you can plan to do. So it makes sense that it would have to kind of be thrust upon us!

And we have to TRUST THE THRUST because it is trust that is going to shake us out of self-delusion and/or remove illusions that we so badly wish to hold onto.

If I may add another quick point re: part of ourself that we never knew existed........when they are revealed and/or when we choose to walk down unfamiliar roads in order to discover them, we can actually become SHOCKED by what we discover about ourselves since, it can be SO FAR from what we ever thought we had within our grasp or capability. In fact, self-fascination can occur (without it being ego based). Rather, a humble but truly deep peaceful self-fascination and IMHO, this is when we no longer have to prove anything to anyone. this is when we truly begin to love ourselves and when we do, we stopped comparing ourselves to others and rather, we are at peace and comfort with ourselves, but also keenly aware and at peace with our liimitations. This is when we truly are able to celebrate the beauty in others since, life is no longer a competitiion. Our egos have been tamed by our spirit.

Oh, as usual I've got lost in the subject matter and have likely gone off topic a bit. (lol)

You will be seeing this soon in some writing of mine, and I will credit you!

I look forward to reading your post and thank you for being generous to offer credit to me! Not everyone would do so, and thus, I truly appreciate!

I better post this now. Here's to getting "unstuck" (lol) I've been in the depths of the Descent Experience and have been very stuck but I do trust in the process because I've been down this road before.

[Samsara]

Need to corect a typo in my above post.

I wrote: And we have to TRUST THE THRUST because it is trust that is going to shake us out of self-delusion and/or remove illusions that we so badly wish to hold onto.


This is the corrected version:

"We have to TRUST IN THE THRUST because it is the THRUST that is going to shake us out of self-delusion and/or remove illusions that we so badly wish to hold onto. We can't get real with ourselves, nor with life, let alone with anyone else, if we insist on hanging onto delusions and elusions.