Money! Money! Money! It has unfortunately become an obsession for most of us in so many ways. Some of us are obsessed for survival reasons, and some of us are obsessed to acquire even more. No matter what our particular motivation is concerning money, it has become a problem more than a solution. Our obsessions arise out of a misunderstanding about what it actually is and what its actual intended purpose is. It is appropriate for us to understand it from a universal perspective in order for us to understand its true meaning and subsequent value. We are then in a position to find a means for its practical application in our daily lives. Let’s take a look.
Per our recent discussions, we touched upon the various aspects of divinity and how they are actually quite applicable in our everyday experience. “As above, so below” is very true, for it helps us understand that we are indeed part of God and all things. So, we have the 1st divine aspect of “Will and Power” – this is the “Father” aspect from the viewpoint of Christian theology, the 2nd divine aspect of “Love and Wisdom” – the “Son” and the 3rd divine aspect of “Active Intelligence” or the “Holy Spirit”. It is the 3rd divine aspect of active intelligence that concerns our discussion today. This energy encapsulates a full one-third of our entire experience in the physical world. It involves not only our physical bodies, but our thoughts and feelings as well. In essence, “Active Intelligence” contains within it the entirety of universal creative expression. We are always creating something in some form in every moment. We can also see how creativity implies some action or activity. This is what divine intelligence is all about. Intelligence is the energy that underlies all that we touch and feel and all that we see and know. So how does money fit into all of this?
If we consider all things we experience to be part of this divine intelligence, money is no exception. It’s first important for us to recognize that money is only one tiny portion of this vast system of creative energy. Humanity’s problem is that too much attention has been placed on one single element of our creative potential. It has been said by the spiritual masters that as much as 90% of this available energy is channeled into the acquisition and distribution, or lack thereof, of money. We can see how this might inhibit much of our potential creative expression! To understand the intended purpose of money and resources, we can simply view them as an exchange of energy. We all make our necessary contribution to the world through our work, for example. We all perform a certain function, if you will, in order to make the system work for all of us. We’re all involved in creating certain products or services and then proceed to purchase these same products and services. This is energy in motion. This is the exchange. This is the basic intended purpose of money and nothing more. So, what has created our misunderstanding and subsequent misuse of this basic resource, then? Let’s consider a few contributing factors:
Misconception and Misunderstanding
We, unfortunately, lack the higher understanding that physical things, including money, are temporary and therefore subject to change. There is nothing about money that is permanent, no matter what our ego leads us to believe. “You cannot take it with you” is very true in this regard. The universe and all life within it are in a constant state of motion and change. As human beings, we have a tendency to fear change and therefore make many futile attempts to keep things as they are. Money is simply another form of energy, just like everything else, and cannot remain static. Our attachment to money does not allow the possibility for it to be used as a means to a greater end, the benefit of all humanity.
Improper Identification
We have a tendency to believe that money is part of the identification of who and what we are. We have placed value and purpose where it does not belong. The reality is that money does not define us and must be viewed as simply a tool to help us function in the world. It’s merely another form of exchange.
Significance and Relevance
Because we have given money a level of importance it doesn’t deserve, we have allowed it to become the primary purpose of our existence and almost the entire motivating factor underlying all our actions. Our creative potential has unfortunately become severely limited. An inability to express ourselves in a loving manner is but one result.
Lasting Purpose
All of us are in the process of defining ourselves with a sense of purpose. It’s critical for us to find something that is more permanent or long-lasting. The emptiness or void we sense inside ourselves needs to be replaced with something larger. We unfortunately still seek this from the outside. The acquisition of money and resources is the typical way in which many of us are doing this. If we were honest with ourselves, we would notice that having money and material things doesn’t really change anything. It certainly doesn’t help us feel better, nor does it fill the void with a lasting sense of purpose.
Power and Control
When we choose to let money define us and are fortunate enough to have acquired some, or even an obscene amount of it in many cases, something much more devastating can happen. We have given it power. We now have the ability to control the lives of others. We are then in a position to use money to suppress and oppress. In our attempt to be more special and important than we really are, we have made it possible to define the value and importance of other human beings through the withholding of money and resources. I would remind those engaged in these activities that their feeling of power and being special is also temporary. The effects of such practices are not so temporary. The disastrous results of this improper identification with, and misuse of, this very basic energy is clearly evident in the world today.
Equal and Appropriate Distribution
The unequal distribution of money and resources happens through a valuing of certain jobs and positions over others. The universal reality is that no individual has any higher purpose than another because of the job or function they perform. Certain individuals receive enormous salaries or incomes because of the importance we give to them. A much-needed re-evaluation of our values has become necessary in order for the system to work better for all of us.
Higher Education
The idea that a person has to obtain a formal education in order to have the money and resources to survive is not a workable philosophy. There are clearly many benefits to higher education, but we must consider its practical application in the real world. Much of the curriculum is geared toward the development of social skills and experience to help an individual become “well-rounded”. This is indeed important, but not very efficient in terms of cost. It might be appropriate to separate these courses out and focus on the coursework that will provide the necessary training to perform certain skills. The reality is that in many cases, most of what a person needs to learn is acquired “on the job” anyway. The other major problem with the pursuit of formal education is that the false assumption of a higher income, or even a job at all, is guaranteed upon completion. This is clearly not the case. Many young people enter the workforce with huge debt and nowhere to go. Seeking a high income through various means is not possible for everyone, no matter their level of education. What is forgotten by most is that the money and resources of the world have already been allocated to the very few at the top. Just because a person has a substantial education or background doesn’t mean those at the top would be willing to share. It would be much more efficient to have all jobs pay a living wage at least. All jobs should be valued and understood as integral parts of one working whole. There is plenty of work for everyone, after all. The fair and equal distribution of money and resources must be understood within this context.
A proper understanding of the intended purpose of money will greatly help improve world conditions. The hoarding of money and resources as a means to help define an individual with a sense of purpose or power has created many of the problems humanity faces today. Money serves no real spiritual or universal purpose if it cannot be used to benefit the greater whole. Our level of understanding concerning these matters is improving and changing. Resolution to these challenges can be found in our willingness to share. We can all do our part by giving what we can. We’ll be much more successful if we adopt an attitude of inclusiveness in our approach as well. The fuller creative expression of humanity involves a “loving awareness” of necessary action.
All my love and support, stay safe and be well