Preface:
I read a book recently by this title and took a lot away from it. His title (and mine) are intentionally provocative but we are not talking about any of the non-materialistic / spiritual tenets of the religion (to be honest I don't much about them). We are referencing psychology that can be tested through experience that Buddhism claims as truths.
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# 1 Expelling the myth that obtaining contentment can come through obtaining the object(s) of desire(s).
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The idea...
It is more than an idea. It a large part of what propels thoughts and actions.
If big or long held desires are fulfilled happiness, contentment, or piece of mind will come. The voice whispering "NOW SUCKS" will stop.
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Even my very non-Buddhist aunt explained that this was a myth in an example or absurd proportion.
Now I have clearly experienced it.
One of my longest held desires, the noun at the end of "If I only had X", has been obtained.
I am very great-full, but contentment has not replaced in full the space previously occupied by desire. It has simply been filled with other desires.
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The problem is treating in (like I do) the objects of desire as if, well, as if they were more than objects - the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
But perhaps the objects of our desires are just that - objects.
The problem is not that we have desires, it is that we believe the implicit promises they carry.
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'The Minimalists' mantra: "Love people, use things [aka the objects of our desires]. Because the reverse never works."
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