When most of us think of the words abundance and prosperity, we think about the acquisition of material things. Perhaps a broader definition of abundance and prosperity would be more empowering to those of us on a spiritual path. Because my lovely friend Rev. Carmen J. Day asked me to be her guest on her radio show to discuss abundance and prosperity, I was encouraged to reflect on these concepts.
When I was a little girl living in Highland, California, I knew what “having it all” meant. True abundance was having brown skin like Adam Orozco (what a dream boat), having a big loving family, and being able to participate in the Mexican Hat Dance on Cinco de Mayo. As it turned out, I was the only white kid in my class and I had to sit in the audience with the only African American kid in my class (which wasn’t bad at all because he looked like Michael Jackson from the Jackson 5—which at that time was a VERY cool thing!) and watch the dancers on stage gleefully performing the Mexican Hat Dance. While my friend and I did a mean-seated hat dance, we knew we were out of the prosperity loop.
Later my family moved to Orange County, California (now known as the OC!). Prosperity meant owning a track mansion close to the ocean, having designer label clothes, attending private college prep schools, and driving high priced cars. Overnight, the Mexican Hat Dance lost its value. While I enjoyed some of the fruits of financial abundance, I could clearly see that money would not make you happy. Money was just an energy which could be used to heal through generosity or to hurt through avarice. I recognized that money in and of itself is a neutral energy. Clearly, it seemed to me, there is nothing wrong at all with appreciating things. However, I recognized that finding your identity, worth, salvation, or happiness in material things can be a lonely prison of one’s own making. The image of Jay Gatsby from Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby comes to mind.
As an adult, I realize much of abundance is about appreciating what you already have and can experience. Once I bought a new car and I was super psyched about owning a BRAND NEW car. I felt I was on top of the world. Later, my friend bought the same exact car and she called it a cheap piece of junk. We had a laugh about our very different perceptions. In that situation, I had an abundance consciousness and she was coming from a lack consciousness. What we think about expands. Moreover, if thoughts really are things, not a metaphor, what are we creating when we focus on lack?
When we shift our thoughts to gratitude, we can begin to embrace more of what we desire in our lives, which is laying latent within. In Dr. Wayne Dyer’s Manifest Your Destiny, he suggests meditating to the sound of creation.
First the sound of creation “aaaahh” is chanted for a period of time. Then “ommmm” is chanted in gratitude for what has been created. There are also other ways to connect with the sacred state of gratitude. Oprah suggests keeping a daily gratitude journal. The music of Sean Owen may help bring us into a state of thanks. Prayer connects us to thankfulness. Before my children go to sleep at night, I ask them, “What are you thankful about today?”
I adore the book, The Tao of Abundance: Eight Ancient Principle for Abundant Living by Laurence G. Boldt. The eight principles are:
1.) Recognizing the unity of all things starts you on the path to true abundance
2.) Learning to receive opens the door to your greatest good.
3.) Following the path of least resistance brings success with ease.
4.) Circulating the energy in your life strengthens health, deepens relationships, and generates wealth.
5.) Honoring your innate dignity and actualizing your inborn abilities is the road to authentic power.
6.) Balancing yin and yang eliminates stress and brings peace of mind.
7.) Taking time to be, to grow, and to nurture your relationships gives you the strength to persevere.
8.) Achieving your destiny is a matter of trusting and embracing the organic pattern of your life.
I also highly recommend The Abundance Book by John Randolph Price, and the classics Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clayson.
(c) 2007 Jeanine Marie Austin, Ph.D., C.Ht.
Doctor of Life Coaching, Certified Hypnotherapist
Simply Divine Solutions
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