The Colossus of Maroussi

While reading this book by Henry miller, it had me thinking of a couple things. Henry miller mentions that life without money is impossible, and how in order for Americans to be happy they had to have clothes, a good home, and things that were more of want rather than a need. However, Henry miller discussed that he was completley happy without any of those things. So my question to you is, do you need any of those things that Henry miller discussed to be happy?

Another part of the text that caught my attention was, where Henry miller started to have an obsession of a glass of water and how everywhere he saw that glass of water. He also stated that he began to think of water as a new vital element of life. Why do you think that Henry miller began to have an obsession with the glass of water? What do you think the glass of water can symbolize?