Game time
12/08/2011

What gives?

Have I abandoned my spiritual commitment for that second-oldest temptation in the book—money? 

Have I given into that most primitive fear—for survival?

Have I lost my faith in God?

Am I unwilling to live within the means Spirit provides for me?

Am I falling for the superficial seductions of The Secret?

I hope none of the above.

It took me weeks to determine whether this Conference was right for me—and costing what it does and occurring when it does—10 days before Christmas, the busiest time of the year—it still feels as if I am completely over-extended to take it on.

Yet at the same time it feels as if this is the other half of a balanced equation.  As if investing in business skills—particularly financial skills—is the grounding portion of creating heaven on Earth that is the next step in my evolution.  That it is the way I will develop the personal means to create the resources that will enable me to do the most good. 

Yes, there are those spiritual masters who can create substance out of thin air, and I may yet get there.  In the meantime, knowing how to conduct business successfully, on a larger scale than I’ve ever felt comfortable, may be the means I am to use to accomplish good now. 

I’ve dreamed that Creator is supporting me.  I’ve even dreamed that a certain dollar figure is mine.  And though I’ve learned that this sum may well arrive through miraculous means that I had absolutely nothing to do with, I’ve nonetheless accepted that acquiring the skills so that I could have created it are somehow an essential part of the process of my own unfolding.  Perhaps it is part of increasing my capacity for such Spiritual largesse.  Perhaps Spirit is telling me that there are things that I must learn—things about being and working in this world—in order to have the results that I desire. 

Or perhaps there is knowledge I must acquire in order to help all of my partners on the spiritual path who have their priorities right, yet don’t understand why they are perennially sidelined, or playing in the minor leagues, waiting on the financial means to contribute all they would like to contribute.  I’m talking about nonprofits, spiritual centers, authors, activists, people of the highest moral caliber and public service who, like me, feel stuck in first gear, waiting on Spirit to manifest.

I’ve said on more than one occasion, “Either our consciousness is lacking, or our teachings are.”  

So, if my consciousness is lacking, why am I not going into a cave to pray until I am able to manifest the necessary means? 

Perhaps for a successful businessman that would be the prescription.  I certainly believe it would work.  But for me, right here, right now, I feel as if my next step is in this world—this physical world of bills and debts and capitalism.  This world it is my intention to transform.  I feel as if I must enter that world and learn its secrets, so that I may use them for other ends—to fulfill my purpose in being here—to create a world that works for everyone. 

According to Carlos Barrios, a Mayan elder published in the Fall 2011 issue of Space of Love magazine (http://www.spaceoflovemagazine.com/images/SOL_11_pages12_13.pdf), “Meditation and spiritual practice are good, but also action.” To assist humanity through the enormous transition culminating in 2012, we must act in alignment with our vision. We dream the new world into being, but then we must act in accordance with that vision.

Like West African shaman Malidoma Some, whose elders sent him into the white world "to be swallowed up," I'm going to drop like a pebble into a pond, trusting the ripples I create.  I also know that this group of people I'll be meeting with and learning from are on the enlightened end of the business spectrum.  Their motto is "collaborative capitalism," rather than competitive capitalism.  Their slogan is "Learn, earn, and return."  Among their graduates are Jack Canfield, Lisa Nichols, Les Brown, and others whose goal is to broadcast the good news of a transforming planet.

It’s game time.  Time to carry our vision into the world.  I'm off tomorrow.

I’ll keep you posted.