Money & the meaning of life: Part 1

Over a 30-year career, worldly philosopher Jacob Needleman has counseled the rich and successful on matters of money and meaning. His conclusion: "Money is like a mirror to our culture. What we see tells us who we are."

What is more elusive or more compelling? More personal or more a part of society? More on everyone's lips or more difficult to talk about? More linked with success or more separate from it? Money takes some understanding. As a "worldly philosopher," Needleman has made a career out of talking honestly about a subject that eludes most people and listening thoughtfully to people talk about a subject that most find hard to discuss. In fact, says Needleman, "Money today has become like sex was to previous generations. It's damn hard, in fact nearly impossible, to think about money honestly. It has an immense influence on everything we do. Yet few people are able to acknowledge the power of money." He was, as always, opinionated, self-effacing, bawdy, and brilliant -- a down-to-earth intellectual who shares many traits of the successful businesspeople who have sought his advice.

How does money change people?

Having lots of money can be like a drug. It can make you feel powerful and giddy. It can convince you that everything's going to be okay. Years ago they asked the great fighter Joe Louis what he thought about money, and he said, "I don't like money very much, but it calms my nerves." Money makes us unjustifiably feel that we're better and more important than we really are. When money can make you feel humble, then I think it's really useful. But if it fattens your ego, which it often does, then look out.

That way lies madness. That's what all the Greek tragedies are about -- hubris -- and that's part of the problem with money. It is greatness, it is power, it is beauty. Money is about love and relationships. It has a wonderful power to bring people together as well as tear them apart. You can't escape money. If you run from it, it will chase you and catch you. Even Thoreau today would need a real estate agent to help him buy the cabin at Walden Pond.

If we don't understand our relationship to money in this culture, then I think we're doomed. If you don't know how you are toward money and really understand that relationship, you simply don't know yourself. Period.