Quips and Tips for Spiritual Seekers

Did you know that your financial health is determined by your relationship to money? It makes sense, think about it – everything we interact with on a regular basis is a relationship. In every relationship there is an exchange of ideas and energy. The only difference between a relationship with people and a relationship with money is that people bring their personalities, beliefs, experiences and expectations to the exchange. Money in itself is completely neutral; it takes on the qualities people project on to it, which can change at any time.

How you view money and how you interact with it determines whether you experience financial health or money problems. As Aristodemus once said, “Money is a good servant but a bad master.” Do you give your power away to money, do you control it, or do you have a healthy give and take relationship? To gain a better understanding of financial health and your relationship to money, read on. And for holistic financial advice from a Buddhist perspective, you might enjoy the book, It’s Not About the Money: Unlock Your Money Type to Achieve Spiritual and Financial Abundance, pictured above.

Financial Health and Financial Abundance

What is financial health for you? It’s different for each person, but overall most people describe it as having enough financial abundance to easily cover all the monthly expenses and accrue savings for such things as vacations, retirement, charity, education, hobbies, and so forth. I view it as an important part of being spiritually healthy - operating from a state of ease and freedom, allowing money to flow into and out of my life in a balanced way, trusting that there is enough to go around, and making purchases from a place of wisdom, not craving.

What creates this financial abundance? A healthy relationship with money. A relationship where you feel positive when you think of money. Where you don’t give your power away to it; you don’t beg for its attention. You enjoy what you do as an exchange for money and welcome it into your life. There’s no need to bend over backwards for it because you have a respectful relationship. You don’t need to hoard it because you trust it is there for you. There is no begrudging its absence when it temporarily leaves to cover expenses as you know it will easily return. You are grateful for the role it plays as an exchange for goods and services you fully enjoy.

Money Problems as a Sign of an Unhealthy Money Relationship

There are two basic money personalities – the spenders and the savers.

Taken to extremes, neither personality is healthy. A balance where you can earn, spend and save money creates a healthy relationship with money. You know you have an unhealthy relationship with money if you experience money problems such as these:

• Not enough money coming in to cover basic needs so you go without.
• Growing debt issues with more money going out than coming in.
• Just enough to cover basic needs, but nothing for fun or savings.
• Enough money coming in, but insecurities create hoarding and prevent healthy spending.

These are symptoms of an unhealthy money relationship. Underneath are judgments and beliefs about money and the ability to have it. Here are some money views from people with financial problems:

• People with lots of money are snobs.
• You have to be sneaky or dishonest to be wealthy.
• Earning money is hard work and takes effort.
• Money is evil and makes people greedy.
• Money is for materialists, not for spiritual people.
• I don’t deserve financial abundance.
• There isn’t enough so I have to hoard.
• If I have money, I’ll have to share it with others.
• Money causes people pain.

Do you have any others to add to the list? Remember, these are only ideas, thoughts, and perspectives that become real for those who believe in them. Money is neutral energy – we give it a persona and create a relationship that reflects our views and beliefs. How would you like to view money? Change your beliefs, change your life!

If you’d like to play with exercises for changing your money beliefs and tuning into financial abundance, read the article, Empowering Ways to Improve Financial Health and Heal Your Money Relationship.

Do you have any questions or comments on financial health or money relationships? Please leave a reply below.