“To Have or to Be” is a book by famed German psychologist Erich Fromm which delves into the true meaning of what it means to live dominated by a having mode of operation when compared to simply being. There is a quote from Master Eckhart near the beginning that sums of the intent of the book quite well:
“People should not consider so much what they are to do, as what they are.”
Fromm basically addresses how individuals can live a life with significant meaning and positive environmental impact by focusing on their authentic self as opposed to external possessions whether they are material or immaterial. Fromm provides an interesting statement concerning being:
“By being I refer to the mode of existence in which one neither has anything nor craves to have something, but is joyous, employs one’s faculties productively, is oned to the world.”
On the surface Fromm discusses the regular activities associated with having, for example the accumulation of material goods, but also goes into much greater detail concerning other not so obvious areas such as the possessive quality often demonstrated within relationships and the accumulation of knowledge for the sake of solely possessing it.
Concerning the material aspect of having, Fromm provides a fascinating example of two individuals - Tennyson and Basho and their approach to viewing a flower in nature. Tennyson plucks the flower to possess it, whereas Basho simply views the flower:
“Tennyson, as we see him in his poem, may be compared to the Western scientist who seeks the truth by means of dismembering life. Basho’s reaction to the flower is entirely different. He does not want to pluck it; he does not even touch it. All he does is “look carefully” to “see” it.”
What is most fascinating is the result of each approach. Plucking the flower kills it and therefore it is no longer available for others to observe. On the other hand, Basho appreciates the beauty of the flower, but leaves it to further grow and to allow others to view the flower. Basho could have actually returned to visit the flower over time, whereas by removing the flower, Tennyson had destroyed its present form both for himself and for others.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect when comparing the having and being modes is the non-material aspect, mainly the use of language and knowledge. First consider the use of language as described by Fromm:
“Some decades ago, instead of ‘I have a problem,’ the patient probably would have said, ‘I am troubled,’ instead of ‘I have insomnia,’ ‘I cannot sleep”; instead of ‘I have a happy marriage,’ ‘I am happily married.”
The preceding may appear like simple distinctions, but Fromm argues that these nuances in language have a much more profound meaning, the drifting of society from a oneness with nature and the world to a more individualized, possessive relationship with others and nature:
“The more recent speech style indicates the prevailing high degree of alienation. By saying “I have a problem’ instead of ‘I am troubled,’ subjective experience is eliminated: the I of experience is replaced by the it of possession.”
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the non-material aspects of the having and being modes is that in the acquiring and use of knowledge. Fromm describes those with a having mode as follows:
“Students in the having mode have but one aim: to hold onto what they ‘learned,’ either by entrusting it firmly to their memories or by carefully guarding their notes. They do not have to produce or create something new.”
Compare this approach to those receiving knowledge within the being mode:
“They do not simply acquire knowledge that they can take home and memorize. Each student has been affected and has changed: each is different after the lecture than he or she was before it.”
This is an important distinction - the first approach deals with acquisition and holding on to that which was acquired without the creation of anything new, or possibly any action whatsoever. The second approach concerns letting the new knowledge enter your stream of consciousness and then acting upon this knowledge is some way, ideally in the creation of something new.
To further reinforce this act an individual may consider the following questions while learning:
- What is this for?
- What am I to do with this?
There is much more within “To Have or to Be?” and this was really just a few of the highlights taken away from my reading. “To Have or to Be?” is one of those classic books where different people will receive different insights depending on what level of consciousness they are operating from. Actually, I suspect that I will be revisiting this book sometime in the future, perhaps even many times.
“To Have or to Be?” may be purchased in the Celestial Source shop.