Redefining Abundance
Redefining
Abundance
spiritual maturity = the
evolution from egocentrism to
interdependence
There has been a tremendous amount of buzz around the
recent film - and subsequent book - The
Secret. Upon
the initial launch of the law of attraction into the
mainstream, I was overjoyed. As a coach, I quite often
witness people caught in limited ways of thinking
(myself included... ah yes, we teach what we need to
learn!) and I was inspired by the thought that the law
of attraction invites us all to focus on choosing
thoughts/experiences that feel good. I know that the
ability to witness and own our beliefs and attitudes is
the first step to living more consciously. Surrendering
the Victim is essential for the Witness to step into
place.
The Secret teaches us that...
Feeling good is a natural outpicturing of conscious
choices.
In short, witness to know how you are vibrating... then
choose to feel good.
That I resonate with.
However, recently, I have begun to ponder terminology
that is thrown about liberally in metaphysical circles.
Namely, the idea of abundance.
Many teachers report that quantum physics tells us that
there is a limitless supply of resources available to
us. The only limitation that exists is our thoughts to
the contrary. Our experience of limitation in life is a
function of our vibrations (thoughts/beliefs/feelings).
Lack attracts lack. Abundance attracts abundance. Okay.
That sounds pretty straightforward, yes?
Yet, I am beginning to wonder. Are we not in the
egocentrism of our development as a spiritual culture?
In early child development, around 3 years old, a child
has a developed a sense of self. A sense that he or she
exists as a personality apart from the outside world.
They enter a stage marked by egocentrism - all that
exists in that which I see in front of me. The "I"
becomes the reference point for the world at large. If
I can see it, it is there. If not, then it must not be
there. Or, even if it is... who cares.
I am blessed with a wonderful man in my life, whose
family so generously invites us to enjoy their
beautiful home overlooking the Oregon Coast. Over
Mother's Day weekend, we spent some time there. As
always, my body and mind became spacious and calm in
the presence of the ocean's sounds. Perfectly content,
I spent some time journaling and flipping through books
and magazines of interest. I stumbled across an issue
of Vanity Fair... "The Green Issue"... that focused on
further educating the public about the environmental
issues. As I read about a culture in the Amazon, facing
extinction due to their shrinking landscapes and
drastic climate shifts, I realized (real eyes'd) that
if I focus on abundance as it is currently defined in
our culture, I may be doing a diservice to myself, my
clients, and my culture.
I am not one to watch the evening news and stew in the
negativity that I see onscreen. Nor would I suggest it.
However, maturing in our spiritual awareness asks that
we see the world at large - we can apply filters in
order to receive as much information as possible - so
that our personal choices in life are conscious and
contextual. It is an egocentric society that ignores
the world at large. I very much do agree that I must
find peace within before I can have a peaceful impact
on the whole. Absolutely. However, I am not an island
of energy. I am an integral piece that impacts the
collective on a scope we are only now beginning to
understand. The Green Movement is a brilliant example
of illumination. We now have a measurable experience
of interdependence.
The butterfly wings of one person's choices, being felt
in a small Amazonian village in South American. Ah ha!
The concept of "we are one" is no longer simply a
metaphysical musing... it is a reality!
I am beginning to see that to misrepresent a concept
such as abundance - framing it as a selfish freedom
without limits or implication in such a
consumption-driven society is ironic, naive, and
spiritually immature.
The issue: In our modern world, consumption is too often confused
with abundance. And abundance is confused with
wealth. Let us seek to redefine these concepts which
are, in their purity, holy and sacred responsibilities.
Do I want more money?... of course! How about
more
vacations?... and a best
seller?... or two?... Okay. Sign me up!!
Yet it is not the money, or the vacation, or the book
deals that will lead me to the wealth that I seek. At
best, these will all serve as distractions UNLESS I am
spiritually mature enough to handle the responsibility
that such luxuries afford me. If I consider myself an
island of energy that is... 1) uneffected by the
choices and consciousness of those around me, and 2)
who can will anything into being without consideration
for the whole... I may achieve a rich and abundant
lifestyle as it is promised. One that feeds my body
with pleasure, and my emotions with a sense of
satisfaction.
However, each passing day teaches me that the abundance
that I want more than anything else is a sense of
spiritual satisfaction. A deep and pure experience of
Love. Fulfillment. Purpose. And, in essence, Heaven on
Earth.
We do not have to surrender one for the other.
We can have the joys of the physical world as well as
the bliss of that which connects us to something larger
than ourselves. Paradoxically, I believe that it is the
investment in spiritual assets that brings us a wealth
that nurtures us for a lifetime.
Since I have begun to challenge the narcissism of The
Secret - and what has become near-mainstream acceptance
of the Law of Attraction - I have been asked the
question:
"Candice, are you
saying that you no longer believe in The
Secret?!"
Yes, I believe in The Secret. I believe that the Law of
Attraction does indeed exist.
But I believe in The Force behind it more. And that my
highest good is in the hands of an intelligence that
far exceeds anything that my hands, my head, or my
heart can hold.
And it
feels good. Really, really
good.