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ONLINE COURSESRethinking “Abundance” Spirituality
As a yoga teacher in a decidedly alternative/new-agey community, I’ve had many encounters with folks who promote abundance or manifesting spirituality. It’s really common in the yoga world. “If you visualize it, you can manifest it!”, “The universe is infinitely abundant!”, “Your thoughts create your reality!” and my personal fave, “Just ask Lakshmi!”
The problem is … life doesn’t really work that way.
When you’re talking about the physical plane, there’s never a simple or straightforward connection between visualizing and making stuff manifest. There are karmic and/or genetic factors, samskaras, as well as psycho-social and geopolitical limitations to our individual access to physical resources.
Lakshmi is no fairy godmother.
It might be fun to fantasize, but Harry Pottering reality into existence is not that easy.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about thinking good thoughts – thoughts really do matter.
My mom, the reigning queen of the positive attitude, taught me to look on the bright side of everything. But optimism and looking for lemonade opportunities is a different skill-set than the ability to think physical stuff into existence.
This planet is in serious trouble. We have spent the greater part of the last 200 years squandering its abundance and our life-sustaining resources are rapidly and painfully dwindling. People are starving, being displaced, dying, and increasingly fighting wars over resources.
So, the idea that I can manifest any particular “thing” that I want into existence is not only inaccurate in terms of the physics/metaphysics of it – it’s simply unsustainable in terms of the resources available on this planet – not to mention somewhat heartless. You can’t possess a lot of resources without it directly impacting others’ access to them – whether it’s access to food, fossil fuel, water or anything else.
I believe that there are limitless resources – but they aren’t physical. They exist on the psycho-spiritual plane. Ideas, innovation and creativity are endless. The potential for friendship, community, compassion, human connection, and respect is vast. The deepening capacity to love and tap into the wellspring of spirituality is definitely limitless. These are all resources that can most certainly be manifested – both through top-down cognitive strategies and bottom-up embodiment practices.
And, when you have your basic needs met, these are the resources that the world most needs you to possess.
Recently I learned about an abundance business coach who has his students literally burn the bills in their wallets to prove that their potential to earn money is infinite.
Ouch.
Maybe he’s thinking that you have to be willing to lose it in order to make it? I don’t know. But I do think that the fear of poverty, pain and hunger lies at the root of much of the greed-tinged mental illness that has caused most of the problems in the world.
Nevertheless, burning or squandering physical resources like cash is horrifying at best.
If you want to overcome your money fears, then share the contents of your wallet with a homeless charity, a pet shelter, a food bank, or a refugee organization. Please don’t burn it. Despite the banking system’s penchant for creating money out of thin air, for most people, access to financial resources is not unlimited – and there are many in desperate need.
The niyama “tapas” is often translated as “burning” or “igniting.”
I think we can ignite the flames of compassion by offering or giving of ourselves in an almost infinite number of ways. Giving can be a little painful sometimes, but it is in that discomfort that we find a deeper sense of meaning and purpose – and this is the underlying spirit of tapas.
This is a great season for practicing tapas – instead of “What can I manifest?” perhaps a better questions is, “What can I let go of?” Or:
- What can I give?
- How can I stop clinging to…?
- Who can I help?
- How can I best serve someone who is struggling?
- How much stuff do I really need anyway?!
- What limitless positive qualities do I want to cultivate?
There are many ways to demonstrate to yourself that you are powerful and can accomplish much in this world. Particularly when you examine the possibility that once we have our needs met most of what we desire exists in the realms of the mind and the spirit.
What we really want is abundantly plentiful, simply waiting to be manifested.
Thank you so much for this article. I have felt this way for years, especially after being introduced to a film and book that horrified me in the same way. I do not believe we are here for our own selfish motivations and there are limitless possibilities to abundantly show loving kindness and actively care for this planet and all of it’s inhabitants in our own unique calling. Your article is not only timely but important and abundant with “selfless” motivation. 🙏
Thank you for your kind words Jo. Sometimes it’s unpopular to share ideas like this, nevertheless, I think it’s important to critique this thinking and help others think about it a little differently.
I just want to say how much I love your blog. It is always so timely and relevant and changes my thinking in the most intriguing ways. I’ve always been resistant to “abundance” mindset, mostly because you can have an abundance of literally anything, heartbreak, money problems, loss etc. Then to add “manifestation” has always seemed to come from a place of social and economic privilege. As always, your words are beautifully written and on point. Namaste
Aw, thanks so much Kat! You made my day. It’s nice to know that others connect with this stuff. I don’t want to disparage anyone for trying to manifest – particularly, as Alex said above, because our culture makes people feel ashamed when they have less stuff. Nevertheless, I think it’s important to point out the problems with this magical thinking. Not to mention the fact that some people look at others who try but can’t manifest as failures – so more shame. It’s a great point about having an abundance of anything – so true.
Thank you SO much for your your words! I feel blessed to be part of this community ✨🙏💫💕✨
Thanks Gitte! It’s lovely to have you here! Happy holidays. ❤️🙏
I could not agree more. The human spirit is abundant – not our resources. And most of us asking to manifest abundance already are in the sense that our basic needs are met. It is a culture of always wanting more of the external to fill the void inside. We live in a culture where not having resources makes you invisible and brings shame. It really is about what can we let go of and how can we give to those who are less fortunate in anyway, shape or form.
Thanks so much for your article that acknowledges the invisible and our propensity for greed. It’s very humbling. I’m passing it on!
Such important points Alex – yes, why are we subjected to shame for not having material wealth? It’s so heartless. Thank you for passing it on Alex, I really appreciate it. ❤️
What a wonderful article. I have often pondered the idea of abundance and found it difficult to believe we can manifest physical wealth when so many in the world have so little. Why should I be able to if they can’t? You answered many of the questions I have had around this subject. Thank you for your wisdom. Namaste.
Thanks Jane, I can’t tell you how much your comment means to me! Happy holidays. ❤️
You write on this important topic with great clarity. Thanks!
Thanks Joann! Happy Holidays to you and yours. ❤️
Wouldn’t it be great if the mega wealth that is in the hands of the few would spread to people in the yoga community! We’d just give it all away 😉 <3
LOL! I love this Lea! Yes, let’s figure out how to hijack the system and spread it around!
As a yoga teacher and a witch of the not so “white lighter” variety, THANK YOU! There have always been these types of wishful thinking and prosperity gospel types of currents in ALL religions. I certainly appreciate your reminder of Tapas here.
Thanks Kimberly! Witches are not all about granting wishes are they!
Thank you Kristine for the reality check on the idea of manifesting physical resources. There are so many people who struggle week to week, and day to day simply to eat, not to mention, find decent shelter. I also believe that when your basic need for food, shelter and clothing are met, then it’s time to share the wealth. Developing a spiritual sense of abundance and attempting to spread peace in the world is a worthy effort, but the imbalance of material wealth in our country is ridiculous. One has to ask themselves, how much is enough?
I so agree Susan. I recently read an article called “The Life Changing Magic of Making Do” https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-life-changing-magic-of-making-do/ I remember a time when making do was considered wise and thrifty. Now we live in such a conspicuous consumption culture and we are shopping ourselves into extinction. I agree, we have to keep asking ourselves your question.
May I will embroider the Sanskrit tapas on my favourite shopping bag…thanks for pointing the way.
🤣🤣🤣
What a beautifully articulated reflection on the current dilemma of the consumption culture! Thank you.
Thank you Gretchen! I can’t tell you how much that means to me. ❤️
What a beautiful message, especially at this time of year. I too have studied all the “manifesting” ideologies but find them a little shallow. There is truth in them, but not depth. Thanks for putting into words a little more depth to the subject. Perhaps if we were all totally selfless we could manifest a world where people took care of each other and the planet’s resources in a way that would create balance, harmony and abundance for everyone – but we’re a long way from that. As long as people keep applying the idea, “Thoughts Become Things”, to their own personal desires we will continue to perpetuate imbalance in the universe. I find that slow yoga is a beautiful way to rebalance my priorities, but you already know that.
Thanks so much Cheryl. I wholeheartedly agree!
As a long-time yoga teacher, I salute the courage it takes to put this message in print. Not only does it accurately reflect the truth of the material reality we live in, but hones in on the teachings of Pantanjali, the Bhagavad Gita and every other enduring teaching of the science of Yoga. It’s difficult to pop that magical thinking bubble without the possibility of alienating some of our students. The reminder of the great teachers always is that this truth is not going to bring us suffering, rather it will liberate us from it if only we pay attention. Thanks for the great skill with which you conveyed this powerful truth.
Thanks so much Caroline. The irony is that, when you think about it, it’s a completely nonsensical worldview and yet one needs to walk on eggshells while dismantling it. I believe that is because we’ve been so brainwashed by materialism, consumerism, and capitalism in general. These are not normal human epistemologies, they are imposed by a mentally ill culture/society and have deeply effected all of us – which is why it’s so difficult to not alienate students when we “pop the magical thinking bubble.” I have the honor of having a wise and compassionate student base both in person and online, therefore I spent a lot of time unraveling my need to be liked in order to speak my mind, as someone who has been gifted quite early in life with these tremendous perennial teachings. I am so grateful and humbled and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your kind thoughts and support. ❤️
Yes!! Tosha Silver is an author who talks about this all the time. Manifesting ignores laws of Karma, and what the soul may be meant to learn this go round.
I think that’s an important point. Thanks for sharing Amy!
Thank you for your observations. This “abundance” theory also implies that folks who do not have the resources they need to thrive must be at fault. It’s a backdoor version of shaming.
Yes, I completely agree. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kathy
Great insights. I think your words are powerful enough to stand on their own without the GIFs. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much Marianne – that’s 2 votes for no gifs!
I like and appreciate your thoughts. I do not like all the gifs. To me they are distracting. Perhaps just one or two next time?
they’re just for fun – some like them, others don’t! It’s hard to please everyone.