We live in an era of unprecedented material abundance. Yet it has come at great cost to our planet and society. Perhaps it’s time to re-examine the very notion of ownership underpinning modern consumerism.
This ingrained concept that we can possess things permanently and absolutely now threatens ecological sustainability and human dignity. Our assumed dominion over the material world has led to over-extraction, waste, and gross inequality.
As we step into the 21st century, we need a new story about our relationship with objects and nature. One based on stewardship over ownership. Caretaking over domination. This paradigm shift starts with recognizing that no one ever truly owns anything. Our time of custody is fleeting.

Here are some examples of how ownership is an illusion existing only in the mind:

You plant flowers in your garden. You tend to them, and watch them bloom through the seasons. It feels like those flowers are yours.

But objectively, you don’t own their essence. The seeds or bulbs predate you. The sunlight, rain and soil enabling their growth are shared natural resources. In time the flowers will wither and transform, indifferent to your sense of possession.

You cannot make those flowers yours permanently. They will die and return to the earth, just as you will. Their temporary presence is a gift, not a possession. Your perception of owning their beauty is fleeting, an experience not a property right enforceable by nature.

Example # 2

You feel your car belongs to you permanently. But it does not.

The car is composed of materials extracted from the earth, and fueled by ancient biomass – it is intrinsically shared and temporary.

You cannot control the car indefinitely. It will deteriorate and be discarded within years.

Owning a car obscures its connection to environment and community. Choices impact others.

Leasing acknowledges cars’ impermanence. It incentivizes responsible usage for a defined period.

Perceiving our brief custody rather than outright ownership of cars could inspire more thoughtful usage.

The notion of car ownership is fleeting and socially constructed. Recognizing this illusion allows us to use vehicles sustainably.

This reveals the concept of ownership as transitory and subjective – a story we tell ourselves, not a real force intrinsic to the world’s workings. Mistaking it as absolute leads to suffering. Accepting the illusion allows joy in each ephemeral blossom.

The mirage of ownership obscures our temporary custody of objects and spaces. It blinds us to the impermanence of all things. This illusion of permanence is the root of attachment, greed, and callous disregard for the future.

Example # 3

Ownership is commonly understood as having legal possession and control over something, like a house you own. This implies personal responsibility, certain rights, and a sense that what you own fundamentally belongs to you permanently.
The concept of ownership is important in our society and the law. It allows people to have control over their lives and property within a system of rules.

However, I believe the concept of ownership is actually something of an illusion. No one truly owns anything outright. We are more like managers caring for spaces and objects temporarily rather than owners in the traditional sense.

This view suggests we are stewards, not owners, carefully looking after resources during our brief time with them. It leads to taking better care without exploitation.

There is a sense of personal connection, responsibility and control associated with owning something. When you own something, it is yours to do with as you please within legal limits.

Owning confers certain rights over the thing owned, like the right to use it, modify it, sell it, etc. But it also comes with responsibilities like taking care of it.

Ownership implies a personal connection to and responsibility for something, along with certain rights over it.
The traditional notion of ownership, which implies more permanence and absolute rights over something.  My point about home ownership actually should be a real estate investor, managing the property that you may or may not live in.  It frames home ownership as more of a custodial role rather than outright ownership in the traditional sense.

My view seems to discount the idea that anything can be truly owned forever. It suggests we are more like stewards or custodians for the things currently in our possession. This could potentially lead to a worldview of taking better care of our resources, spaces and objects while we have the privilege of using them, rather than exploiting them carelessly.

Ownership – Implies exclusive rights and control, permanence, dominance over a resource. Centered on the property holder’s interests primarily.
Guardianship – More of a custodial relationship of stewardship. Focused on responsible care and maintenance rather than control. Acknowledges impermanence.

With ownership, there is a stronger sense that the owned object or property fundamentally belongs to the owner. Guardianship, in contrast, carries an understanding that we are caretakers for a limited time rather than forever owners.

Ownership tends to lead to an exploitative relationship with the “owned” item, since the owner feels entitled to use it however they please. Guardianship encourages a more conservation-minded approach valuing sustainability.

No one can truly possess or control anything permanently – our time of custody is temporary.

Legal ownership confers only limited rights, with restrictions and responsibilities.

The concept of ownership is an illusion because:
Shared natural resources like air and water cannot be owned, only borrowed.
The meaning and value we ascribe to possessions come from our minds, not the objects themselves.

Ownership assumes an inflated sense of dominance over others and nature that is unrealistic.

Material objects are impermanent – they will inevitably deteriorate over time.

Clinging to the notion of ownership breeds attachment, greed, and ignorance of reality.

The illusion is the perception of permanent control and exclusivity that ownership implies. In truth, we are but temporary stewards caring for possessions during our brief lifespan.

Summary:

The notion of ownership – having permanent, total control of possessions – is an illusion. We are but temporary caretakers of objects, spaces, and shared natural resources.

Conclusion:

Rather than an ownership mentality, we must adopt a stewardship mindset. This means focusing on responsible use and care of resourcing our brief time with them. By recognizing the impermanence of our custodianship, we can relate to possessions sustainably rather than exploitatively. What we call ownership is fleeting – our time of caretaking is short. But it is vital we make it meaningful by using this period wisely, not claiming false dominion.

Finally, what do you own?

Think about it before answering question. 🤔