What if there was no such thing as “being selfish”?

I recently started really thinking about the word “selfish” after watching a discussion between entrepreneur guru Danielle LaPorte and Dyana Valentine in Danielle’s brilliant virtual video/book entrepreneurial rock-star experience, The Fire Starter Sessions. The two were discussing “when do you feel selfish” and “should you feel selfish” in regards to business and family. This got me thinking…

After all, I have had my own internal battle with selfishness. When you go from being a people pleaser for the first 29 years of your life and suddenly start living life for yourself, you get labeled “selfish.” By whom? Those people who benefited from your pleasing, of course. But, doesn’t that make them selfish for calling me selfish? (Oh wait, I’m not going to use that label anymore.)

How did the word “selfish” gain so much power?  In the English language, this word has really become a big deal and gets a bad rap.  What is so bad about focusing on yourself? In our society, it is a really bad thing to be selfish. It breeds the word “should” (which according to Louise Hay, should be abolished).  And the worst part is that it turns into the most powerful and damaging emotion in our current psyche: guilt.

Down here in the Bible belt, guilt is an emotion that is second nature. I thought I had worked through all of my guilt issues until the recent flood in Nashville. For those of us who were not victimized by the flood, we were instead left sitting in a big pool of guilt. There were so many people in need of emotional and physical support.

Finding a balance between helping folks and keeping my own life in check was difficult. I would feel guilty when I would sit down at a computer to do some work.  But then again, I knew the best thing that I could offer was that which I do best – and it’s not pulling out insulation and mold.   After about two weeks of this, I finally found some peace by finding a balance of doing light physical labor and deep energy healing for the city.

So what if the word “selfish” simply didn’t exist in our language?

Would we turn into a self-centered society never reaching out and helping our friends, family, neighbors, and strangers? Do we need to judge ourselves or others as being selfish to wake us up to the plight of others. Of course not! Instead, we could just be ourself. That’s right, we could just be our Self! Wouldn’t that be nice. And when we are our Self (with a capital “S”) we naturally do what’s right for ourself and the rest of the world. The word “selfish” implies that we are not good enough. And I just don’t believe that.

There are of course extreme cases in which people are just plain rude acting out of the plight of their suffering ego. But that is a mental illness and there is a word for that: Narcissism. In fact, according to Websters, Narcissism is defined as “the personality trait of egotism denoting vanity, conceit, or simple selfishness.” So from now on I am abolishing the word “selfish” from my vocabulary. And I hope you will join me. After all, at the end of the day, we are all just trying to get through the day the best we can, making the best decisions we can, and being the best we can be.

This reminds me of my favorite quote by Ghandi of course, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” This implies if we take care of ourself and be the best person we can be, that is the best thing we can do for our World.

Now go be Selfish… the World needs you!

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Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, yoga instructor, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing).  For more information, visit www.mindbodyom.com.

It seems like lately everything I read stresses the importance of ‘being’.  What used to be words of only the enlightened masters has crept into all areas, including the business world.   The “do, do, do” mentality of the 80s and 90s has become “be, be, be” of the 2000s.

While I can sit and ‘be’ with the best of them, my practical side eventually rears its head saying, “with all this ‘being’, how do you ever get anything done?”  And so I pondered this question.

On an energetic level, ‘doing’ is an active, masculine energy, while ‘being’ is a passive, feminine energy.  Ultimately it is a balance (yin/yang) of these two energies that is optimal.  As a society, we are needing to balance as a whole and thus more feminine energies are permeating up from Mother Earth.

Putting the energy stuff aside for a second, I started to think back at all of the most pivotal times in my life… people, jobs, and situations.  I realized all of them just came to me or fell into my lap as opposed to my seeking it out.

Afterall, it is only when you are ‘being’ still that something can fall into your lap.”

Here is a personal example.

When I was graduating from law school and searching for my first law job, I sent out hundreds of resumes with not a single response. Then one evening at a law review reception, I saw my adjunct professor, who also happened to be a federal judge. Without even thinking about it, I walked up to him and asked if he knew of anyone hiring. He said, “Well, I am.” Within weeks, I was hired as his law clerk, which was far better than any of the jobs to which I had sent a resume. More importantly, he ended up being one of the most influential people in my life, which had nothing to do with law and everything to do with the meaning of life.

So you can see in my example where the delicate balance lies in ‘doing’ and ‘being’. I had enough active, doing energy to set an intention to get a law job (and to attend a boring law reception). From there, I was in a state of being waiting for the right opportunity and/or person to come along. And when it did, I listened to my inner voice and approached the Judge.

Sending out blind resumes was an example of too much ‘doing’. There is a huge difference between inspired action and busying yourself with activity to try to make things happen. Instead, by being present, you will be conscious and alert when those people or opportunities come along.

Think back on your most pivotal moments and use those as a template for finding your yin/yang balance point.

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As we head into Winter and the holiday season, what a great time to pick up some of those books you’ve been meaning to read. You’ve probably had many people recommend you many books, but don’t remember what they were. Or perhaps you just don’t know where to begin. That’s why I’m here! Simply put, I am a spiritual book junkie and have read about everything out there. If there were such a thing as a spiritual growth geek, it would be me.

I go through several books a month, but only a few get to stay on my shelves. These are the keepers! These books are my top 10 of all time (so far!)

10. Light on Life by B.K.S. Iyengar

This is THE book on yoga. The only other book that could be better is Light on Yoga by Iyengar. But if you are looking for the real purpose and meaning behind your downward facing dog, this is the book. If your yoga practice needs some inspiration, you will certainly hit the mat (not to mention the meditation cushion) after reading this.

 

9. The Intention Experiment by Lynne McTaggart

I must confess that the only D I ever made in school was in Science. I must have amended some karma however because I have entered into a new love affair with Science. The Intention Experiment is basically a scientific explanation of spirituality. Basically, I love being proven right when it comes to energy… you know when you just know something but can’t prove it and others think you’re crazy. After reading this book, I now see (and talk) to my plants in a whole new way.

8. The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer

There are now thousands of books on the Law of Attraction and intention, but what I like about this one is that it was one of the first. In other words, it came before The Secret and does a much better explanation on how to manifest what you want. I particularly appreciate his in-depth discussion on “will” versus surrender—a fine balance that is a constant struggle for myself.

7. The Book of Secrets by Deepak Chopra

Deepak (yes, we are on a first name basis—he feels like family) is the only author that appears twice on my list. Why? I think he is the most gifted spiritual writer of our current time. He has an amazing masculine/feminine balance in his writing. He finds the perfect balance between the right brain and left brain walking the tightrope between science and spirituality. Really, any of his books could be on this list, but this happens to be the one I most recently read.

6. The Western Guide to Feng Shui by Terah Collins

I always tell people that Feng Shui is one of those things that people know just enough to be dangerous with. So many people pick up a Feng Shui book to get a general understanding. Oftentimes however Feng Shui books can be very confusing. But not this one. Written by a westerner for westerners, this book is much more simple and user-friendly than most. When clients ask me if I recommend a Feng Shui book for them to read, this is the one!

5. Bringers of the Dawn by Barbara Marciniak

Warning: This book is not for the weak or weary, the skeptics, or those who want light reading. This is hard-core stuff and will rock your world! If it resonates with you, then it could end up being the only book you need on your shelf. If it doesn’t, then it will end up in your trash can. You be the judge!

4. Astrology for the Soul by Jan Spiller

This is an Astrology classic. I have learned SO much from this book about me, myself, and I. Just when you think you’ve figured out yourself, your path, and what you think your lessons are, this book will further enlighten you. (For even more fun, learn about family members!) Instead of using your Sun sign, it focuses solely on your North Node, which determines your path in this life.

3. The Path to Love by Deepak Chopra

This book is simply beautiful! A must for anyone in a relationship or looking to be in a relationship, which is pretty much everyone. Chock full of practical information, inspiration, and even some exercises.

2. The Power of Now and The New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

I’ve put these two books together because the information is practically the same, but in slightly different formats. While Eckhart has received tons of props from teaming up with Oprah, he is worthy of the attention. These books are the quintessential spiritual thought of our present consciousness. Some people have found The New Earth to be difficult to read. For others, it reads like poetry. Either way, however, your consciousness will be raised just be holding the book. Really. The Power of Now reads a little more user-friendly in a Q&A format which some people find easier to understand. A great book to read during the holidays when it is the most difficult time to be present!

1.You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

This is by far my most often recommended book. If you are looking to make real, permanent changes in your life, this is the book. Note that this is not a page turner. Instead, it’s practically a workbook with successive Exercises used to extract old subconscious programming and to be replaced by new, desired thoughts. And it works! Also in the back of the book is a long list of mind/body associations that I often reference. The perfect book to read along with your New Year’s Resolutions.

I would love to hear about some of your all-time favorite books….!

One of my favorite books I recommend to clients is You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay. I absolutely love this book. If there was such a thing as a recipe for making permanent changes on either or all of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels, then this book would be it.

When I recommend this book, however, I can tell some people question whether they need to do something as extreme as “heal”, particularly those without a physical illness or disease. If I could read their mind, they would be saying, “Healing is for sick people. And I’m not sick.” But the word “heal” is synonymous with the word “change.” To heal is to change. And most everyone wants to change their life in some way or another. And, healers are essentially transformers, or instruments of change.

If you don’t have a physical illness, then why do you need to heal or change? Simple. So that you won’t get a physical illness or disease. All physical ailments start out on the emotional or mental levels way before they ever reach the physical body. The physical body is the outward manifestation of our mind. Thus, the body is the last resort, or the red flag, that lets us know that major changes are needed. So, ideally, we make the necessary changes, or heal, before the physical body ever gets involved. Oh, and did I mention another reason we want to heal… so that we can live the best and most fulfilling life we can.

What about genetic diseases? You might ask how someone is supposed to change something that they didn’t even create in the first place. When a genetic disease is passed down, what is passed down is the mental or emotional belief system that creates the disease, not the physical disease itself. It is scientifically proven that DNA can be changed with our mind. And when DNA is changed, genetic diseases are changed.

Why do you have to change to heal? We live in an ever expanding and evolving Universe. I am not saying this as a prophetic spiritual statement, but as a scientific fact. The common phrase “evolve or die” succinctly sums it up. You have also probably heard the phrase, “the only guarantee in life is change.” We are here on Earth to grow and evolve. It is impossible to improve your life, including health, without making some change. In extreme cases, the “change” may be surgery, which may as a result prompt one to make a change, i.e. pattern, belief. (For example, after having a minor, same-day surgery a few years ago, the experience was so undesirable for me that it awakened me to take preventative care steps to hopefully avoid ever having to be in a hospital again!)

If surgery is still not enough to prompt a change, then the problem will rearise somewhere else in the body—in some form at some point. We are living in a world where we are bombarded by messages of quick fixes and have grown to believe that we can change our life without making changes!

What prevents us from change? Fear. More specifically, we get caught up in old patterns (or ruts) because they are “safe” and “known”. Fear is of the unknown, even if the unknown could be heaven on earth. These patterns could be the result of inherited family patterns, unserving belief systems, and/or karma. When something finally becomes too painful to continue, either physically or emotionally, then one will finally make a change (or make a more dramatic transition from Earth). But why put yourself through the years of painful misery? Instead, make a conscious change, or, in other words, choose to heal.

Love – for ourself or others—is at the core of all change. And when we make a change that is in our highest and best interest it always comes from the heart. Think about major changes that you have made in your life that have been beneficial for your growth, evolution, and happiness. They all involved loving yourself or someone else. Perhaps, it was taking the risk to move across the country to be with someone you love, or breaking up with someone that you knew was not in your highest and best interest. Maybe it was loving yourself enough to take a risk with a job or school that was more in alignment with your life purpose. Or perhaps it was changing a belief system in order to tap into your unconditionally loving someone.

Heal = Change

Change = Love

Love = Heal

Love always comes from the heart.
Open your heart and you will heal or, vice versa, heal by opening your heart!

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If you’ve found yourself voraciously cleaning stuff out of your home lately, you’re not alone. Over the last few months, I have heard this repeatedly from friends and clients. There is an insatiable urge to clear things out of closets, basements, drawers, and in some cases, entire rooms. For many people, this urge is so pronounced and unlike anything ever experienced before. For those of you who are historically packrats, this feeling is very new and perhaps even confusing.

So what is going on? Afterall, it’s not even Spring!

Basically, we (in conjunction with Planet Earth) are going through a major purging. Looking at it in terms of the economic climate, we have all realized that we not only can live with less, but feel better with less. All of the stuff that we accumulated over the last couple of decades just doesn’t feel good anymore. Stuff feels like a big weight. Instead, space makes us feel good. We can breathe again (notice how your breath changes after you clear something out). This is all part of a return of living close and in harmony with the Earth, not in opposition like we as a collective have been doing. In fact, you may have noticed that when you are now drawn to purchase something, it is artisan-made, natural fibers, and/or organic products.

From a spiritual perspective, we have been and will continue to be (perhaps until 2012) on an accelerated course of evolution with this Summer (‘09) being in full force. As we evolve, we become less and less dense as different vibrations cannot co-exist. Matter is the highest form of density. Whereas, energy before it manifests into a physical form is a lighter density, but still some level of density. For example, a kidney stone would be emotional energy like anger that has manifested into a physical form. As we evolve, we purge this density (which could be the subject of numerous blog articles) on the physical, emotional, and mental levels. And, our home, which is an extension and reflection of ourself, needs to as well.

As you clean stuff out of your home, you are assisting in an important and necessary part of your spiritual growth, which is paramount to your physical and emotional well-being. You may even notice some resistance well up along the way. Be conscious and notice what the resistance is.

As you clean out your basement, you are cleaning out your subconscious mind. In other words, you are bringing things from the subconscious to the conscious mind in order to effectively deal with it and, if necessary, get rid of it. Prior to that, things were stuffed down there to avoid dealing with it or even having to see it.

What about closets? This is where we stuff things we don’t want others to see, perhaps including ourselves. As we clean out our closet, we are all “coming out of the closet” in some aspect. In your own unique way, it is allowing you to live more authentically. This again is a letting go or purging of anything dense, such as lies, fronts, and fakes. Even with regards to your clothing closet, perhaps there are clothes that no longer seem to fit who you are anymore.

We are all evolving to our highest vibration and most authentic selves, which is love. So, when you get the urge to purge your home, go with it.

With so much uncertainty in our economy, many people are turning to alternative ways to make money. Many are embracing their creative talents, while others are trying new marketing techniques. Ultimately, we are all being asked to change the way we do things and to become more creative in how we work and relate to others. If you look around at businesses right now – from restaurants to personal services — they are either failing or thriving. What is the secret behind those that are thriving?

I recently read the book, Think and Grow Rich, by Napolean Hill where he reports his findings of the secret behind the 500 most successful people, including Andrew Carnegie. Keep in mind: This book was written in 1937 during a similar economic downturn. What he found to be the commonality in all of their success was nothing that you would read in a business manual. Instead, it was the mental and emotional energy that each of these successful projected out.

Whether you are conscious of it or not, you are projecting your future through your conscious and subconscious thoughts. Thus, the best way to bring in abundance is exactly this way.  Here are eight ways to use your energy positively to bring about wealth and properity:

1. Helping Others

If you have ever been around really successful people (and by “successful” I mean prosperous in wealth and happiness), then you will quickly notice that they are always happy and willing to help others with their business. Many people think that to succeed, you must be competitive when, in fact, the opposite is true (even towards your “competitors”). Someone who is competitive and cut-throat is simply saying that they don’t trust in their own skills and talents.

If you are willing to help someone promote their business, they will do the same for you. In other words, what you put out you will get back in return. This principle has really been put to use in the new social networking world of Twitter. It is an example of the more you help others, the more you will receive in return.

There are so many ways in which we can help and encourage others. Here are some examples: a simple compliment, such as “Your ad in the paper looked great” or “I love your website”, making positive comments on others’ blog posts, offering others resources that were helpful to you, volunteering your services for free to a good cause, referring people, and being a patron of other people’s services. Helping others says that you are confident in yourself…and not to mention nice!

1. Gratitude
   

Being grateful for what you already have is the Number One way to bring in more of it. Say “Thank You” to yourself, others, mentors, angels, God, Universe, Source, and/or whoever you believe is a part of what has helped you to get and achieve what you have thus far. By doing so, more will come your way. This is essentially a high vibration affirmation.

1. Being Present
   

Living in the present moment is a phrase often used by those seeking a more zen way of life and/or enlightenment. But it is also a really great business practice. Your power is always in the present moment. When you align yourself with the present moment you have complete and total access to your own power. By “power” I mean your best skills, talents, and creativity. It is only when we look into the future that we become stressed, anxious, and fearful. For all that is meant for us to deal with in the present moment is just that…the present moment.

Because it is each small step (or moment) along our journey that makes up our life, the destination will only be as good as each of the moments that it encompasses. Eckhart Tolle profoundly describes this concept in A New Earth as follows:

“Everybody’s life really consists of small things. Greatness is a mental abstraction and a favorite fantasy of the ego. The paradox is that the foundation for greatness is honoring the small things of the present moment instead of pursuing the idea of greatness. The present moment is always small in the sense that it is always simple, but concealed within it lies the greatest power.”

So, try being present in each moment of your day, from sending emails to talking to prospective clients. You will be amazed at how much better your focus and productivity is.

1. Use Feng Shui
   

Many may think that the ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui is only used in Eastern cultures, but major U.S. businesses and business executives such Donald Trump are applying its 3,000-year-old principles in their daily business dealings.

By simply rearranging your office space, you are energizing your business in a new way. The shifts of earth energy in conjunction with your own mental intention can change your business quickly and dramatically. The position and arrangement of your desk can make a profound impact. Read my article, Feng Shui Your Desk, for more information.

And for businesses with a store-front, feng shui can make the difference between attracting customers and deterring them. Simply do a google search for a wealth of free information.

1. Affirmations
   

An affirmation is a set of positive words or phrases repeated out loud, to yourself, or just set out in visual sight. The more the affirmation is repeated consecutively and over time, the more the subconscious is being programmed to believe it. For example, if you repeat an affirmation such as, “I attract abundance in all areas of my life,” your subconscious mind will take it as truth (as it has no filter) and the law of attraction will begin to bring you abundance.
You could consciously want more money, but your subconscious mind may be working on a different agenda, potentially sabotaged by old belief systems, implanted societal fear, or simple unworthiness. This is why it is so important to be conscious of our subconscious.

Using affirmations is a great way to re-program the subconscious mind to be more in alignment with what you consciously want in your life. The amount of time it takes will depend on how engrained the current belief system being re-programmed is in your subconscious.

For specific affirmations for abundance, read my article, 8 Affirmations for Abundance.

1. Being Receptive
   

We are often our own worst enemy. As much as we would like to blame others or the economy, the truth is we oftentimes just get in our own way. Many of us have belief systems that prevent us from abundance. For example, some believe that they don’t deserve abundance, that wealth is only reserved for certain people, or that money is the root of all evil. If you consciously choose to have any of these belief systems, then so be it. But some of you may unconsciously have these thoughts while, at the same time, confused as to why money isn’t coming your way.

So explore to see what belief systems you have surrounding money. You may be surprised. In order to receive, your must be open. For a clinched fist will never be able to receive anything. And don’t forget to be present… for something to fall into your lap, you must be still.

Also be open to where the sources of abundance may come. While your energies may be in one direction, the fruits of your labor may return to you from another direction. Be open. Be receptive. And, again, be present.

1. Make a Vision Board
   

A vision board is a powerful visualization tool that activates the Law of Attraction to begin manifesting your dreams into reality. The concept of the vision board, also known as a goal board or treasure map, has been around for generations, but has gained a renewed interest and popularity from the documentary, The Secret.

A vision board is a visual collage of the things that you want to have, be, or do in your life. To make one, simply get a poster, cardboard, or foam board, magazines, glue and/or tape, scissors, and a desire. Cut out images either exact or symbolic representations of the things that you want in your life or the things that you want to become. Paste them on your board and display it, preferably somewhere visible to you. In no time, you will be amazed at what you will attract into your life!

1. Use the Number “8″
   

It is no coincidence that I used the number “8″ for this article. Numbers are one of the oldest symbols in our collective conscious. Each number carries its own meaning, frequency, and energy. The number “8″ is the number for abundance.

In Numerology, anytime you have double or triple digits, add them up until you come to a single digit. For example, 107 = 8; 44 = 8, and 800 = 8. So take advantage of this built-in power. Incorporate it into your life. For example, price your services or products using this auspicious number. I even once lived in an 8-house that made me lots of money when I sold it. Be creative with it!

Conclusion

If you are not bringing in as much wealth and prosperity as you would like, then try incorporating some of these concepts into your daily practice. Sometimes there is no need to spend a fortune on advertising or expensive classes. Invest in your own personal power first. Afterall, you are your most important asset.

Over the years as the East has met the West there has been an influx of spiritual teachings from Eastern religions and thought.  With this emergence, the idea of a guru has become more and more commonplace in our language and culture.   And it has predominantly been the Eastern gurus that have introduced to the West the ideas of enlightenment, self-realization, meditation, and zen.   Likewise, many have followed the guidance of a guru, i.e. become a student, in order to take a faster track towards enlightenment.   In fact, the Sanskrit word guru means “that which dispels darkness.”

When you imagine a guru, you may think of an 87-year old, bearded man with a thick accent.  But your guru may look very different.  Your guru may be your yoga instructor, therapist, minister, healer, or even a non-physical angel or guide.  Or your guru may be someone you’ve never even met, such as Eckhart Tolle or Deepak Chopra.   Either way, it is those people that have helped us along our journey of dispelling the dark to find the light.  And to them we say Thank You.

But there comes a time when we simply outgrow our guru.  For our guru is simply an outer reflection of that which already resides within us.   In other words, we have what they have and need their help in finding it within us.  That could simply be finding our “light” or “true essence” buried beneath the layers of darkness.  Or it could be a specific missing aspect of ourselves that we are seeking.   In fact, it is not unusual to unconsciously seek out a guru that represents something  that we are seemingly missing within ourselves similar to the way we attract romantic relationships into our life.  Thus the actual relationship with the guru can be as important as the teachings themselves. 

Once that aspect has been healed or one has reached a point where the inner guru is a match to the external guru, there is no longer a need for the external guru.  Continuing the teacher-student relationship beyond this point can actually become a hindrance to one’s growth.  Likewise, ending the relationship can be the most difficult and rewarding opportunity for personal growth (for the teacher and student).  At that point it is time to find a new guru that is a new match, or to simply become your own guru.  In fact, our true guru is not a person but a principle that resides in your own heart.  This inner guru will guide you to the person to whom will assist you on your journey and/or it will simply guide you.  In Sanskrit, this principle is called the upaguru, or “the teacher within.” 

The benefits of the teacher-student relationship can be extremely beneficial to our personal growth and cannot be understated.  For this reason, it has become entrenched in the Eastern spiritual traditions and spreading through the West.   But it is important to note that even in such a case it is the upaguru at work guiding one to find that teacher.   And a true spiritual teacher knows that the upaguru is our ultimate guide to which we should ultimately and permanently connect, not them.  So honor and be grateful for the teachers that come into your life.  But know that your greatest teacher is your inner guru.  And so honor and be grateful to yourself as well. 

Namaste.

The most common identity attachment is to our jobs whether it be in sports, law, banking, arts, medicine, or any other identifiable category. Typically, the more time and/or energy one puts into it, the greater the attachment to that identity. Take sports figures, for example. They have dedicated their entire life to that sport with an incredible intensity. The same could be true for someone who acquired lots of education in a particular field. Also the amount of income received can bolster one’s attachment to the identity. And, of course, society’s perception of the value of that job weighs heavily.

In addition to attaching to an identity in the workplace, we also identify with certain role identities. For example, being a mom, being rich, having a great portfolio, driving a jag, being the homecoming queen, being spiritual, being vegan, being a Steelers fan, being the frat guy, and the list goes on. We will find any possible identity to hang on. Why? We don’t know who we would we be without it. Our mind won’t let us just ‘be’.

The mind, or ego, attaches to an identity in order to categorize, separate, and, ultimately, to survive. The problem is that these illusory labels are only temporary. The athletic body fades away, the kids grow up, you get laid off, your portfolio loses its value, or you finally retire. How many times have you seen this? A man works his entire life with hardly ever taking a sick day, he retires, and then suddenly his health deteriorates and/or he just dies. Jack Nicholson’s character in About Schmidt went through a similar experience. Upon retiring from the insurance business, he had no idea who he was, let alone his wife or daughter.

The word “identification” is derived from the Latin word idem, which means “same” and facere, which means “to make.” Therefore, when we identify with something, we are attempting to make it the same as our Self. But the only thing that we can really “be” is our Self. The job, object, person, or role is just a temporary, illusive substitute which becomes a bottomless pit of seeking happiness.

In the Introduction of Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now, he gives a personal testimony of going from suicidal to enlightenment literally overnight. He attributes this dramatic shift to the loss of identification with anything. He describes this experience of nonattachment as follows: “A time came when, for a while, I was left with nothing on the physical plane. I had no relationships, no job, no home, no socially defined identity. I spent almost two years sitting on park benches in a state of the most intense joy.”

While it is unlikely that most of us will experience such a dramatic loss of identification, many are currently grappling with a loss of identity either voluntarily or involuntarily. Many people are voluntarily changing careers after working their way up the ladder for years only to start back at the bottom in a new career. Although it is by choice, it can still be challenging to shed the former identity. In fact, I would guess that loss of identity unconsciously prevents many people from moving out of a career that is not satisfying.

I remember my own experience with this a few years ago. I was transitioning from practicing law to a more fulfilling career of yoga and energy healing. One day, my legal contracting clients suddenly dried up before I got my new career underway. I felt like I had fallen into a crack between two worlds. I suddenly had no identity. And no income. After making decent money ever since entering the workforce, I had not realized how much “making good money” was part of my identity until it wasn’t there. Even with the ability to meet my expenses through savings, my identity as a money-making attorney was gone and my ego was blown. After a week of mourning, I began to dig deep within myself trying to find something with which to identify. The only thing left was my Soul. I realized that my permanent, inner Light is in fact my most valuable asset.

With the current state of the economy, many people are experiencing this same loss of identity either from the loss of their job, stock portfolio, or home. Unable to get another job, it can leave one wondering who they are. Like an artist facing a blank canvas, it can be daunting. But this opportunity can be freeing at the same time. Shedding these egoic identifications can be liberating. And when one accesses the core essence of the Soul, a portal opens that leads to finding one’s Soul Purpose. Or to finding an inner joy never experienced before. The involuntarily loss of identifications are forcing people to dig deep and find their true Self. And what they are finding is a well of creativity.

If you are someone who has recently lost or losing an identity, either voluntarily or involuntarily, don’t just search for the next one. Instead, use this as an opportunity to find your true Light. And let it guide you to your Soul’s inner joy.

 photo by exfordy

I was recently reading Napolean Hill’s classic, Think and Grow Rich, and was instantly struck by the fact that it was written in 1937…a time not to unlike our current economic landscape. Napolean Hill wrote this book as a result of studying and interviewing the 500 richest men at that time. He found that they all had one thing in common. That one thing became known as The Secret. The Secret, which has reinvented itself into the mainstream via New Age proponents, is the Law of Attraction.

While the Law of Attraction is based upon the conscious mind in knowing what you desire, the subconscious mind plays an equal, if not more important, role. You could consciously want more money, but your subconscious mind may be working on a different agenda, potentially sabotaged by old belief systems, implanted societal fear, or simple unworthiness. This is why it is so important to be conscious of our subconscious. Using affirmations is a great way to re-program the subconscious mind is to be more in alignment with what you consciously want in your life.

An affirmation is a set of positive words or phrases repeated out loud, to yourself, or just set out in visual sight. The more the affirmation is repeated consecutively and over time, the more the subconscious is being programmed to believe it. For example, if you repeat an affirmation such as, “I attract abundance in all areas of my life,” your subconscious mind will take it as truth (as it has no filter) and the law of attraction will begin to bring you abundance. The amount of time it takes will depend on how engrained the current belief system being re-programmed is in your subconscious. Setting aside a specific time each day to repeat the affirmation, thereby making it a priority, is all the better since the Law of Attraction is steadily at work.

In Ancient Hindu practices, an affirmation, called a Mantra in Sanskrit, is repeated 108 times at least daily. This practice can be extremely powerful because of its ancient roots having been performed for thousands of years. Prayer, or mala, beads are often used to count the mantra 108 times. Furthermore, the language of Sanskrit was based more on energy than meaning so that each word carries a specific vibration or energy with it making even more powerful as it vibrates from and out of the body. Again, the Law of Attraction is always at work bringing to you that which you project out. So, for this reason, I have included a few Sanskrit mantras.

1. My Income is Increasing.
   

   Note: You always want each and every word of an affirmation to be positive. For example, “I will be rid of debt” only reinforces “debt”.
   

2. Om Shrim Maha Lakshmiyei Swaha (pron. OM SHREEM MAH-HA LAKSH-MEE-YEI SHAH-HA).
   

   This is the quintessential Sanskrit mantra for abundance! Shrim is the seed sound for abundance along with the goddess Lakshmi. Swaha is the divine feminine which is representative of receiving.
   

3. I am Open and Receptive to New Avenues of Income.
   

   This affirmation allows us to open our minds from becoming too tunnel-visioned. There are so many opportunites awaiting us if we just step outside our patterned ways of thinking.
   

4. Everything I Touch is a Success.
   

   Perfect for someone who is insecure about being self-employed or if you just want to boost sales!
   

5. Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha (pron. OM GUM GUH-NUH-PUH-TUH-YEI NAHM-AH-HA).
   

   This mantra is based around Ganesha, who in Vedic texts is known as the remover of obstacles. Thus, this is a powerful mantra in removing obstacles that may be preventing you from bringing in abundance.
   

6. There is Plenty for Everyone, Including Me.
   

   Note: The subconscious takes everything as truth. So, even if you don’t believe an affirmation it is still working. Given enough time, you will start to believe it.
   

7. I Now Create a Wonderful New Job.
   

   This is perfect for someone between jobs or someone seeking a better job.
   

8. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
   

   Nothing brings more to you than gratitude. Gratitude is the most powerful emotion in the Law of Attraction.