Today, as I opened my front door for a walk, I saw the fruit trees that dot the yard, now coming into their fullness. The word 'abundance' came to mind. Immediately in front of me was the largest of the yard's citrus fruit, the pomelo tree, the branches bending gracefully with the weight of over 60 pomelos. (I counted them in my wonder!) Behind me was an equally loaded grapefruit tree, not quite ripe, and the surrounding trees at various stages: tangerines, oranges, pomegranates and avocado. Nature's bounty, nourished by human intent, cultivation and care.
Abundance is the term used in New Thought, as well as other modern religious teachings that see God's grace and power not just in nature, but in material manifestation and prosperity. As we begin December, we enter a time of community celebrations, holy holidays, gift giving, fund raising efforts and the year's review. This year, we carry the weight of inflation with the usual financial pressure of December. Today, I encourage you to reflect on the spiritual aspect of your financial well-being and carry that exploration through the month. We all grow up with some sort of attitude and belief about money, expenses, earnings, giving, receiving and their roles in our well-being. Those early ideas form a foundational structure of expectations, attitudes, and if you are lucky, a skill set for managing finances and material needs and wants. As we mature, we have tangible experiences that re-enforce or challenge that structure as we manage situations as best we can. The sum total of all this composes what we term "prosperity consciousness." Your prosperity consciousness may have never had a direct link to your spiritual understanding, yet if you are pulled to living spiritually, sooner or later, the inner life wrestles with the material world to reconcile and integrate finances with the essential need for food, clothing, shelter, health care and the emotional need for stability, comfort, companionship and competency.
There is not one answer or methodology that speaks to everyone in this process; just like there is not one way of a spiritual life. New Thought interpretations of Eastern and Biblical traditions focus on consciousness--your thoughts, perceptions, and interpretations determine outcome and future events. Consciousness creates experience. Along with that principle is the principle of an abundant creation, sustained by Divine Love. All that supports life is available through a consciousness of acceptance. As Jesus put it, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32) What do you need? Fulfillment is "prosperity."
When I was first exposed to these principles, New Thought leaders and teachers used the phrase "opulence" to describe the fullness of creation and its prosperity. That word bothered me, because it seemed to confuse the idea of what is 'needed' with a need for extravagance, in a world where millions grapple daily for sustenance. As humanity begins to wrestle with the seriousness of environmental damage done by human extravagance, opulence is no longer appropriate. But recognition of the abundance of creation, its diversity and resilience on so many levels, opens our minds to new positive possibilities in a shared world. In this 21st Century world, prosperity may mean the Peace that comes in knowing, "We all have enough." Begin with you. (Susan Nettleton)
For Hillside's version of Prosperity Affirmations, follow the link: https://hillsidesource.com/prosperity-affirmations