A student once confessed, “The two worst years of my life were when I couldn’t afford a new silver Corvette convertible.”
The concept of “shiny stuff” was introduced by the Chinese Zen master Shitou Xiqian (700-790 CE) and is a metaphorical reference to distractions or things that captivate and entrance the mind, causing us to cling to our perceptions about desirability as Us, as who we are, drawing us away from understanding conditions and lightening our load.
Shitou used this metaphor to caution against the allure of things that seem attractive on the surface but do not contribute to long-term peacefulness.
“Shiny stuff” can represent material wealth, status, intellectual knowledge, or even spiritual achievements that, while seemingly valuable, can become obstacles if they lead to ego craving and clinging. Fundamentally, the shiny stuff concept encourages practitioners to look beyond the surface and focus on the realization nothing is inherently desirable or undesirable in the way we perceive it.
In other words, Shitou is suggesting that we not seek shiny stuff, stuff to which we have added a strong false value where none exists. Shitou is explaining that one should not seek stability based on external objects and surroundings, not seek our identity in externals., not define our Self by a thought or thing. Shitou is declaring that a comfortable, sturdy, peaceful life does not depend on possessions, whether they are material or immaterial.
“Shiny stuff” serves as a reminder that what glitters isn’t always gold, and true wisdom often lies beyond the obvious or the attractive.