10 Spiritual Ways to Approach Money: by Dr. Susan Corso
Prosperity. Abundance. Opulence. Plenty. Is your heart resonating "Yes"
to these words? How about moolah. Dough. Greenbacks. Bread. Cash. Is
your heart still saying "Yes," or are you having a more complicated
reaction? Money and fear tend to be intertwined--especially right now,
as the stock market flips and flops, and the word "subprime" gets
tossed around. In this gallery, Dr. Susan Corso offers counsel on what
we can focus on instead of the anxiety--like connecting with unlimited
abundance and prosperity, the ultimate Federal Reserve.
Make Peace with Your Financial Past
What is your money history? Take time to write about this in your
journal. Write whatever comes to mind, no censoring. Make time to
reflect on your past actions with money and make peace with it. No
matter what it is. Where you see flaws, forgive yourself. It is only
when you accept where you're starting from that you can begin to go
forward.
Ask God for Help:
One of divinity's traditional names is Providence, the all-provider.
God/Goddess/Spirit is intimately involved in all aspects of our lives,
and finances are no exception. If human economics hasn't worked for you
in the past, what do you have to lose? Try
spiritual
economics: where there is demand, supply will appear. Address your
request to God, let go, and joyfully expect an answer. Give thanks
every day and listen within: You'll be guided if there are actions to
take.
Remember that Debt is Trust:
First, think about what debt means: Someone (or some company)
trusted
you would be good for the money. Now turn within and from the place
inside you that knows what's so, look to Providence and give your trust
over to all provision, a.k.a. Spirit, God/dess, Nature, Wonder.
Clearing up debt is about learning to trust yourself and Providence.
Visualize the Flow:
There are two major modes for dealing with money in life: circulation
and congestion. Circulation is paying bills, tithing, giving to
charity. Congestion is hoarding, saving for a rainy day, being stingy.
It's no coincidence that one word for money is currency; it comes from
the word current, which means flow. When you congest around money, the
flow stops. Money, by its nature, flows. Picture yourself and your
money in the flow.
Set Your Intention:
Intention is everything when it comes to manifestation. What do you
want money for? Do you want a new pair of shoes to match your new suit?
Great. Do you want to start a foundation for homeless children? Great.
The wild thing is, it doesn't matter to God as long as you intend the
highest good for all. Tell yourself your intention, share it with God
through prayer, and listen for guidance.
Pray Your Bills:
Yes, of course, pay your bills, but first, PRAY your bills. Put them
all in your lap, sit quietly, and pray for each bill. Give thanks for
the service you received, and pray that you and your loved ones may
continue to enjoy what each bill represents. For example, your utility
bill can bring to mind a warm home in winter, hot meals, and clean
water to drink. While you're at it, send the same blessing to those who
helped provide for you.
Be Conscious of Your Judgments:
Okay, let's really get into it now: resentment, envy, finger-pointing.
Where you have judgments, you only hurt yourself! Try these on: Rich
people are miserly; the IRS is a dirty, rotten scoundrel, the oil
companies are greedy, money is the root of all evil (the misquote most
often used about money). It's really very simple to get clear around
money: Just wish for others what you would wish for yourself!
Bless Your Money:
Whatever you praise increases. Praise works to increase anything, both
the positive and the negative. Why? Because you are showing interest in
it. The activity of praising is blessing. Bless your money! Every penny
of it. Blessing is also a form of gratitude. You are thanking God for
the money you have in order to create more money.
Receive Graciously:
There is a cost to giving, dear one. The cost of giving is receiving.
Conversely, the cost of receiving is giving. It's a wondrous cycle of
circles where we all participate in all of its phases at all times.
Learn to receive graciously! You go to lunch with a friend who has just
gotten a raise. She offers to buy you lunch to celebrate. Do you let
her? You let money out, don't you? Now, let money in.
Share the Wealth:
You do not need to have a lot of money in order to give to others. Ask yourself,
Where
am I wealthy? Start your giving there. Do you have extra time? Give
time. Extra money? Give money. Extra talent? Give talent. The feelings
associated with genuine joyous giving are to be cultivated.
Secret: Wealth attracts wealth!
For the full version of Dr, Susan Corso's article:
Omnifaith Financial Surplus Practices