Archive for Wealth & Abundance

The Holiness of Difference: Who is Your Tribe?

May 9, 2013Bamidbar/Numbers, Conscious Business, Inspiration!, Leadership, Meditation, Sales, Wealth & AbundanceLeave a comment

Choose your target and aim high…

These days, much is spoken of tribes. Business leaders talk about knowing your tribe, communities refer to themselves through tribal publishing. Earlier this week the English playwright and cultural commentator Kwame Kwei-Armah observed on BBC radio how American communities tend to live in tribes, whether it the neighbourhoods are white, black, Mexican, Korean or otherwise.

The question is, who is your tribe, and why does it matter anyway?

The Book of Numbers takes great pains to describe how the Children of Israel moved through the desert in formation, carefully camping around the holy meeting tent according to their tribes: “[they] shall encamp, each man at his division, according to the flags of their fathers’ house, at a distance surrounding the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 2:2). Each campsite was positioned in such a way that they were close to the others but still had privacy.

In a world of conflict we are often focused on unifying with one another at the expense of our own individuality. On the other hand, some people can express their individuality at the expense of being part of a community, and in doing so they lose all of the many benefits that come with joining the larger group.

This tribal formation has a deeper teaching; to be an individual but to have the deep confidence of knowing what your individuality means. To join with the larger community, but not to be afraid of losing yourself and your ideals in the process. To tap into a deeper confidence, knowing who you are and what you stand for, to be unafraid to wave your flag high, but still to be respectful of the other tribes nearby, and to live peacefully with them.

There is a huge benefit to knowing your tribe in the business world. Time and again we see that the companies who enjoy the greatest success are those who offer their product or service to a specific tribe (i.e. Apple), whereas those who fail or begin to fall over typically do so because they fail to be specific about who they are reaching out to.

Kabbalistic wisdom explains how each tribe corresponded to a different part of the body, a different sign of the Zodiac, a different letter in the Hebrew alphabet, a different sefirah (Divine quality) and so forth. The teachings go deeper and deeper but we will focus on just one today.

There is a cost to defining our tribe – knowing who we are, who we align with, what are values are, and what we stand for. The cost is that in making one decision, we cut off other options (the word ‘decide’ means to ‘kill off’ other routes, e.g. the ‘cide’ is also found in genocide/suicide/fratricide etc).

But what do you stand for? Who are you really? When you are clear about this, and fly your flag high, it is inevitable that others will follow.

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HOW TO APPLY THIS IN THE BOARDROOM: Who is your tribe when it comes to customers? How clear are you about the profile of your ideal customer? Who would you like to serve more than anyone else, and who is your product or service not appropriate for?

HOW TO APPLY THIS ON THE YOGA MAT/MEDITATION CUSHION: Where have you been hiding away from stepping into your true self? In a yoga pose, notice which positions you gravitate to – this could be standing poses, sitting poses or inversions. During an insight meditation (Zen-meditation style), hold the question; ‘Who am I?’ or ‘Where have I been holding back?’

FOOTNOTES
Based on Parshat Bamidbar. For more information on Tribes and Kabbalah, visit www.inner.org or read Aryeh Kaplan’s Meditation and Kabbalah.

The Four Hour Kabbalistic Work Week

March 7, 2013Efficiency, Exodus, Responsibility, Transformation, Uncategorized, Wealth & AbundanceLeave a comment

There was a story about a tech worker who outsourced his entire job, outperformed his entire department, and then got fired. If you asked me, which you didn’t, I think he deserves the workforce equivalent of an Academy Award.

There is an important Kabbalistic principle that we have to work for six days each week, but not work too hard. As soon as we get over-caught-up in the means of production, we can quickly turn our labour into a form of idolatory. We might believe that we are the creator and that we are totally responsible for all of our results, rather than attributing blessing and failure to a higher power(1). This also connects to the idea of ‘shefach’ or Divine Flow. Kabbalah means ‘receive’ and the aim is to be in a state of receiving blessing rather than having to work hard for it.

One of my favourite business books is the The Four Hour Workweek. Tim Ferris’ masterpiece breaks down systems and methodologies for outsourcing every menial task in your life, and – if you are sufficiently creative – some of the not-so-menial ones. Why slog your guts out doing administration when you can outsource it to a perfectly capable English-speaker in Bangladesh? We are truly living in a global economy where it is easier than ever to send your scans and dictation files across the seas, so why not keep the money flowing and maintain your own Kabbalistic balance.

The benefit of a six-day work week – or a four-hour one if you can manage it – is that there is time off to recognise a Higher Power. The purpose of every yoga and meditation practice is to realign ourselves with the source of the universe, and to remind ourselves that there is more to life than the next deadline that our boss or client has created.

We are a soul, a spirit, and as such we are capable of infinitely great things. Sometimes all we need is the time to remember and to remind ourselves of what is truly possible. Why not start now? Head over to odesk.com, hire your first Virtual Assistant, and start getting creative.

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HOW TO USE THIS IN THE BOARDROOM: Consider where you can be more efficient at work and where you have been a slave to deadlines. Are there tasks that you can outsource? Are there opportunities to connect more to your source and/or a Higher Power? What is your ultimate mission here on the planet?

HOW TO USE THIS IN ON THE YOGA MAT: Consider whether you can be more efficient when getting into your next yoga pose. Where can you work less and focus more?

FOOTNOTES
Based on Parshat Vayakhel, Exodus 25:2. Teaching from the Lubavitcher Rebbe in Likutei Sichot, vol 1., p187-190 as retold in Chumash Shemot (Kehot), p271: “Work may be done for six days: the use of the passive voice (“work shall be done”) to describe work teaches us that we must not invest all our energies in doing it; we should so to speak, almost allow it to happen ‘by itself'”. A beautiful teaching!

Conscious Business

February 7, 2013Conscious Business, Exodus, Inspiration!, Transformation, Wealth & AbundanceLeave a comment

The beast goes wild…unless we tame it.

Another week goes by and there’s another corporate banking scandal. This time a UK organisation is due to pay over £300m ($471m) in fines to a US bank. We can respond in a variety of ways – whether it is to complain, criticise or otherwise – but I would like to elevate our discussion to the area of Conscious Business.

There are more and more people who are striving towards a conscious, mindful or enlightened approach to their work activities. These words all point in the same direction, that is, taking what was previously the exclusive domain of yoga and meditation, and applying it in their business life.

Most people are familiar with the basic Biblical laws of damages, i.e. an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth (Exodus 21:24), even if they aren’t fully aware that the legislation referred to monetary compensation rather than retaliating with physical punishment. Later in the same passage is a group of laws about how a farmer must pay costs for damages caused by their unruly ox (Ex. 21:28-36). According to the mystics, this is our gateway to mindfulness.

On a surface level, this reminds us that we are responsible for the impact our actions. If our business (e.g. our ox) creates damage for somebody else’s wellbeing or livelihood, then we must deal with the consequences (whether it is libel costs for reputation damages, or workers’ compensation for physical damages).

The Kabbalists teach that the ox represents our inner ‘wild beast’, or the ‘animal’ within each of us. However refined the person, we all have an animalistic aspect to our inner being that just wants to consume or go wild. Corporate Finance scandals have often shown us what happens when a person’s inner beast tramples across the marketplace, taking what they would like and wreaking wreckage in the lives of others.

A truly enlightened business person is someone who is able to listen to the needs of others – employees, colleagues and clients – and strives to act with care and mindfulness even when executing difficult decisions.

We have the opportunity to elevate our work life on a daily basis. Spread the light!

HOW TO APPLY THIS IN THE BOARDROOM: Consider where you or your company has acted with a less-than-conscious mindset. Is there a culture of rudeness within your business community? Are there opportunities to pay more attention to the needs of others (colleagues or clients)? Make a list of three areas where you can be more conscious in your work arena.

HOW TO APPLY THIS ON THE YOGA MAT/MEDITATION CUSHION: The beast goes wild…unless we tame it.[/caption] Become aware of the animalistic aspect of your inner self; where you want to binge on foods or physicality, and where you would like to go wild without regard for others. Meditate on the question; where can I be more mindful in life?

FOOTNOTES

Based on Parshat Mishpatim,
The essential teaching is inspired by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in Likutei Sichot, Vol 36, pp106-108., as recorded in the Interpolated Chumash Shmot, p155 (Kehot, NY:2011)

Kickstarting Happiness

January 24, 2013Exodus, Fear, Inspiration!, Transformation, Wealth & Abundance2 Comments

What’s your story? Slavery or freedom?

Today’s Freedthinker will empower you with how to take a negative situation and transform it into optimism. We’d better get started.

Human beings love stories and we tell them the entire time. We have stories about our businesses, relationships and the economy. If somebody gives us a strange look on the street, we make it mean something and instantly create a story (i.e. “they are going to mug me!”, “they are going to hit on me”, “they are going to hit me”, “they are the world’s biggest loser”). Here’s the thing that most of us were never told; if we change the story that we are telling about life, we have the power to transform and enhance the very quality of our life.

Take a look at the world’s top three current news stories. If you took an average of newspaper headlines during the last thirty years, chances are that the most recurring themes include recessions, negative economic news and war (although if you read the UK broadsheet The Daily Mail, then the Top 10 stories will include the Royal Family). Now take a moment to consider the top three ‘news’ stories in your career and personal life. Are the highest-occuring themes positive or negative? If it’s the latter, then would you like to change things…RIGHT NOW?

In his powerful book The Uses of Enchantment, the Holocaust survivor Bruno Bettleheim wrote about childrens’ need for fairytales. Bettleheim recognised that we learn more effectively through stories, and these tales teach us important lessons about hope, courage, bravery and our ability to navigate the scarier parts of life. Subconsciously a child understands that she has characteristics in common with Cinderella and however overwhelming life appears to be, there is always hope. Jack and the Beanstalk reinforces the belief that however small you are, it is possible to defeat giants, and Hansel and Gretel implies that we will all lose our way at times but we also have the power to overcome the fear and eventually find our way back home.

When the Children of Israel escaped the slavery and torture of Egypt, they quickly told a new story about their life. It involved complaining about their fear of dying in the desert (Exodus 14:11), dying of thirst (15:20), dying of hunger (16:3) and more. Despite being instantly presented with an incredible solution in the form of heavenly food, this still wasn’t enough for most of them. No wonder Moses got angry and depressed at times – do you enjoy being around people who are continually complaining?

Today, I’d recommend identifying a negative story in your life (e.g. “my relationship stinks!”, “my business is down the tubes!”, “I’m having the fifth bad hair day in a row and my life is awful”) and then do the following; consciously retell the story out loud to somebody, and retell the story five times in a row until you have ironed out the negative aspect of the story and purely focus on the facts. Finally, add in a positive spin to the story and be creative! Here’s an example:

Story Version 1 – “My car broke down and needs $1000 of repairs. Life is awful and I can’t afford it”
Story Version 2 – “My car broke down and needs $1000 of repairs.” (e.g. cut the negative story and just focus on the facts of what happened).
Story Version 3 – “My car broke down, needs some work done and I’ll have it running better than ever before” (rewrite a new ending to your story and focus on the positive aspects).

It’s as simple as that. This technique takes some practice at the start but it can change your life. So whether your life feels wobbly or you’re lost in the desert being chased by Egyptians, you too can Kickstart Happiness.

RESOURCES
HOW TO USE THIS IN THE BOARDROOM: Consider the negative stories plaguing your business. What is holding you back? What have you been collectively complaining about for the last few weeks/months/years? Rewrite your story and change your reality.

HOW TO USE THIS ON THE YOGA MAT/MEDITATION CUSHION: Be aware of negative stories as they arise within. Notice when things come up during the day, whether it is complaining about physical ailments or emotional dramas. Aim to focus on the facts, drop the unhelpful story, and create a new space with a positive outlook.

FOOTNOTES
Based on Parsha Beshallach.

Les Miserables or Loadsamoney?

December 27, 2012Genesis, Wealth & AbundanceLeave a comment

A 1980’s throwback to the days of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher when the cash did flow forth. Comedian Harry Enfield’s character ‘Loadsamoney’ had us rolling in the aisles…

Much has been said around the subject of abundance. We hear of being abundant, attracting abundance into our lives, abundant ways of tapping into abundance. I would like to approach this from a different perspective; looking at how we can apply a ‘Kung Fu of the mind’, choosing our thoughts with the rigor of an advanced yogi and martial artist.

Let us begin.

When people talk of attracting abundance and wealth, they are usually coming from a mindset of poverty. They have been focusing on what they do not have, thinking about the income that is missing, the sports car that they cannot buy or the expensive jewellery that they are not able to give to their spouse.

Instead, we can place ourselves in a much stronger position by focusing on all of the things that we do have. We all know the phrase ‘count your blessings’, but I am suggesting that we take the approach of an ‘internal Kung Fu’, namely we rigorously train our mind on the wealth that is already within our possession.

Why Kung Fu? Why this language that suggests an inner fight? Because we have opponents all around. To begin with, entire advertising industry is attacking our mind during the holiday season with continual messages about the things we need to buy and how our lives would be better if only we bought Product X and Service Y.

This week’s Biblical extract is packed with talk of abundance. The greatest recipient is Joseph, whose father blesses him with “Blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that couches below, Blessings of the breast and womb. the blessings of your father surpass the blessings of my ancestors to the utmost bounds of the eternal hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph..”(1). All of Joseph’s other brothers receive blessings as well.

At times of stress it is hard to focus on our blessings. When our neighbour is away on a ski trip and we are stuck at home, we can choose to feel depressed. When the gas bill comes in and our savings account is in the doldrums, we can choose to be miserable. But these are all choices and today’s lesson is that we have the internal power to focus our mind and literally rewrite the story all around us.

I have spent many years earning part of my keep as a writer. Writing plays, articles, newspaper columns, opinion pieces. When we write, we choose the story we need to tell. Unfortunately I would also regularly tell myself stories about my own life. Sometimes it would be negative stories about everything I am missing, and sometimes it would be positive stories about everything that is going right. Either way it is all just stories, and we have the choice at every point along the way.

The Internal Kung Fu begins with a strong meditation. Whether you have a seated meditation practice or you are doing it within yoga asana (yoga posture), the aim is to continually choose where you a placing your thoughts. The longer you keep your mind focused on one point – what the yogis called ekagrata – the more you strengthen your mind and increase your ability to keep this focus at the times you really need it.

Fight the good fight and focus on your blessings for a healthy and wealthy 2013.

RESOURCES

==>HOW TO USE THIS IN THE BOARDROOM: Where are you focusing on a negative story in your business? What is going well? What is going really well? What are the GREAT resources that you have but aren’t using? Where is there INCREDIBLE potential that you haven’t yet brought to fruition? Act on it!

==>HOW TO USE THIS FOR YOGA/MEDITATION: Notice any pain or restriction in your body but then focus on what is feeling good. Which parts of your body are feeling strongest, healthiest and the most free? In your yoga practice, focus on the what you are able to do rather than where you are feeling held back.

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FOOTNOTES
Based on Parsha Vayechi

(1) Genesis 50:25-26. The entire section of Vayechi is a tremendous overview of blessings and well worth studying closely.