Material

Material is any physical substance used in production, costs, and pricing or manufacturing. Raw materials are first extracted or harvested from the earth and made into a form that can be easily transported and stored, then processed to produce "semi-finished materials". These can be input into a new cycle of production and finishing processes to create "finished materials", ready for distribution and consumption.

An example of a raw material is cotton, which can be processed into thread or used in the making of paper; further processing can yield garments or books respectively. Steelmaking is another example—raw materials are mined, refined and processed into steel, a semi-finished material. Steel is then used in many other industries to make finished products.

Quote

Your material life is the whetstone upon which you sharpen your spiritual nature. Sometimes there are “sparks.” Know that when great pressure is applied, you will grow and you will become sharpened, and you will be able to cut through the difficulties of material living more easily.[1]