Building Real Abundance

How soon will you realize that the only thing you don’t have is the direct experience that there’s nothing you need that you don’t have?" --Ken Keyes, Jr., Handbook to Higher Consciousness 

Too often we believe that if we had "a little more of this" or "a little more of that," our lives would be better. But would they really? Real abundance comes not from without, but from deep within. Recognizing that we are already rich—rich in spirit—is where genuine abundance dwells. 

A Course in Miracles teaches us that whenever we are looking outside ourselves for anything, we will only feel more incomplete. This is referred to as "the scarcity principle" which is based upon the common belief that somehow we are incomplete and not whole just the way we are. 

And in order to fill this "hole," our insidious ego believes it must grab onto certain things and hold on for dear life: people, resources, recognition, approval, and so forth. This leads us to taking action under the ego’s direction. But since the action is based on superficial intention, it produces insignificant results leading to an even greater sense of lack. 

The ego’s doctrine is "seek but do not find," a perfect example of how glutinous the ego is and how futile its’ endless chase for seeking outside one’s self. This scenario reminds me of a book I once bought for my daughter when she was a very young girl called the "Greedy Python." The python was so greedy that he ate everything in sight, including his own tail, which inevitably led to eating himself! 

Abundance, on the other hand, is the love inside of us—that infinite wellspring where our fulfillment and peace of mind exists; the source of love within us where our genuine inspiration lives; the channel that allows our creativity to burst forth and our love to pour outward. It’s not what we do or create that matters as much as the intention behind it. 

For example, when I’m writing or painting I feel like I’m on "overflow" because joy and contentment bubble up from deep within. The finished article or painting is rewarding, but that’s not from where my real gratification comes. 

My creation is only an effect of my true creative source; it’s merely the results of the heartfelt energy I’m extending. It’s the expression of my love and creative inspiration that fulfills me. That’s why giving and receiving are the same. 

Diane Berke, author of The Gentle Smile: Practicing Oneness in Everyday Life, states, "Giving and receiving are complementary aspects of a single movement, a single process, like breathing in and breathing out." 

Whenever you are giving a part of yourself via a creative endeavor, discussion with your child, business accomplishment or anything else, you are also the receiver of your energy. Since we are all one, whatever you give to another, you are by definition, giving to yourself. 

In Buddhism being compassionately generous to all people is the basis for living a genuine and fulfilling spiritual life. In this same spirit of wisdom, the Buddhist teachings remind us that all of our suffering occurs from having an attachment to something outside ourselves. 

These "somethings" are what keeps us on the "wheel of suffering," the merry-go-round of external attachments that all human beings must come to terms with during their evolutionary journey. As we practice giving we are reminded that we need nothing outside ourselves, that everything we will ever need is already within. 

Some practical ways to build real abundance in your life include: 

1. Increase your willingness to give. A Course in Miracles teaches us, "Give a little more than you think you can, a little more than you feel comfortable with." The key here, is "a little more." 

Throughout each day we have numerous opportunities to give, and we grow in abundance as we act on those opportunities. Just a little stretch is all that’s required in order for us to experience a sense of true giving. 

2. Keep your intentions pure. Remember that you are always the giver and receiver. Most people unconsciously give to get something in return: appreciation, recognition, payment, etc. Be willing to give to others in a way that you would want to be given to. 

Before you give, ask yourself, What am I doing this for?" If the answer is "Because I want to give, just to give, and I expect nothing in return," and you mean it, then trust that your intention is pure of heart. 

3. Practice receiving with graciousness. So many times, we discount compliments or refuse to receive what another wants to give. Low self-worth convinces us we don’t deserve the compliment or gift, or distrust tells us that if we receive something, we’ll be obligated. 

It’s important to remember that you cannot truly give if you’re unwilling to receive, for they compliment each other like a hand and glove. All of us are connected with every living thing and our interdependence is the sacred web of life we exist within. 

4. Give in those situations where you feel the most lack. In what area of your life do you feel the most scarcity? For some it’s money, recognition or approval, for others it’s time, and still for others it is love, affection or companionship. Determine where you feel the greatest lack then allow it to come fully into your awareness. 

These areas are your greatest opportunities for practicing abundance because the place you most need to give is the area in which you are feeling the most lack. The initial reaction, of course, is to grab on even harder and faster, but that will only take you further into the quicksand of emptiness. Ask Spirit for guidance, then be willing to give. 

The results are truly miraculous. As you begin giving in situations where you once felt lack, your giving will fill you up until there’s no more room for anything but a sense of completion and abundance. Be gentle with yourself and validate yourself for reaching out instead of pulling back. 

© Copyright Laura V. Hyde. All Rights Reserved. 

To read the complete article go to http://getmotivation.com/prosperity/abundance-lhyde.htm

Two Forms of Imagination

The imaginative faculty functions in two forms. One is known as “synthetic imagination,” and the other as “creative imagination.”

Synthetic Imagination:- Through this faculty, one may arrange old concepts, ideas, or plans into new combinations. This faculty creates nothing. It merely works with the material of experience, education, and observation with which it is fed. It is the faculty used most by the inventor, with the exception of the who draws upon the creative imagination, when he cannot solve his problem through synthetic imagination.

Creative Imagination:-Through the faculty of creative imagination, the finite mind of man has direct communication with Infinite Intelligence. It is the faculty through which “hunches” and “inspirations” are received. It is by this faculty that all basic, or new ideas are handed over to man.

It is through this faculty that thought vibrations from the minds of others are received. It is through this faculty that one individual may “tune in,” or communicate with the subconscious minds of other men.

The creative imagination works automatically, in the manner described in subsequent pages. This faculty functions ONLY when the conscious mind is vibrating at an exceedingly rapid rate, as for example, when the conscious mind is stimulated through the emotion of a strong desire.

The creative faculty becomes more alert, more receptive to vibrations from the sources mentioned, in proportion to its development through USE. This statement is significant! Ponder over it before passing on.

The great leaders of business, industry, finance, and the great artists, musicians, poets, and writers became great, because they developed the faculty of creative imagination.

Both the synthetic and creative faculties of imagination become more alert with use, just as any muscle or organ of the body develops through use.

Desire is only a thought, an impulse. It is nebulous and ephemeral. It is abstract. and of no value, until it has been transformed into its physical counterpart. While the synthetic imagination is the one which will be used most frequently, in the process of transforming the impulse of DESIRE into money, you must keep in mind the fact, that you may face circumstances and situations which demand use of the creative imagination as well.

Your imagination faculty may have become weak through inaction. It can be revived and made alert through USE. This faculty does not die, though it may become quiescent through lack of use. Center your attention for the time being on the development of the synthetic imagination, because this is the faculty which you will use more often in the process of converting desire into money.

Transformation of the intangible impulse of DESIRE into the tangible reality of MONEY calls for the use of a plan or plans. These plans must be formed with the aid of imagination and mainly, with the synthetic faculty.

This is an excerpt from the book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Go to http://www.successconsciousness.com/blog/creative-visualization/two-forms-of-imagination/

Year End Review

Some American motivational speakers have a phrase. They refer to their ‘warm fuzzy file’. This may seem a trifle unacceptable to our ears, but the philosophy behind it is certainly sound.

It seems to be human nature to dwell on mistakes and the negative aspects of life. This is really sad because we all, without exception, have some achievements that are worth rewarding ourselves for.

Create a strategy for getting to where you want to be and define the actions that will produce the desired results.  Even small achievements can create the motivation to raise personal goal posts and to aim higher.

It seems to be a natural reaction to focus on what you have not done rather on what you have done. This is enough to prevent some people from even attempting anything new if it is allowed to pass unchallenged.

What is a warm, fuzzy file.? This is simply a list of all the good things that you have done since you last did a personal review. These may be as simple as having a daily ‘To Do’ list and then actually doing everything that is on it. They can be as simple as spending some time with someone who is lonely – or smiling at a shop assistant.  This does not exclude the big things too, but if you focus on these it is all too easy to lose sight of hose little things that make a big difference to someone else.

As this years draws to a close, now is the ideal time to undertake your own warm fuzzy list. You will be surprised how helpful it can be when you are having a day when things seem to be out of kilter. If you maintain your list regularly you will be amazed at what you have achieved and this will spur you on to do even more”.

Copyright The Coaching Academy