The Siddhi these days is dominance more than pleasure. It is a display of masculine power and is the instinctive need to build one's harem and render the other males impotent. Dominance also means controlling one's territory and war is one way of establishing ones strategic dominance as well as controlling wealth. We as a species need to limit some of these instinctive roots of selfish actions because in wholistic systems one cannot dominate without someone else being in submission. They will continue to try to usurp the dominate one any way possible even by blowing themselves up. Military and World Trade are 2 forms of dominance we have encountered resistance too recently. So much so that we may go bankrupt trying to maintain them.

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Yes Uma, "medium" is a better description of money. It has more depth, and the energy of the "medium" of money is more complex than a symbol. Thanks for the discernment.

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Well put Lynn: the only difference I feel with you here is that it is not a symbol but the universal medium. I hope that doesn't sound too nit-picky but I think the difference is important as the difference between a word and the item itself.

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Money is a symbol of an exchange of energy. This exchange of energy could take the form of any object we choose as has been done in the past with salt for example. It is not the symbol that is "evil" but the way the symbol is shared and exchanged that causes the problems we see in the world today. Those who consciously or unconsciously feel a lack of energy also feel the need to accumulate and hoard this object (greed comes out of the belief that one can never have enough, and one will be left powerless without it, the object). However, the hoarder will never feel satisfied because they are only filling the emptiness with the object, not the energy. There are many on this planet who accumulate a lot of this object and some feel such inner lack that they have to hoard it, while others know that it is not the object that satisfies but the energy it took to receive it. I get money when I give a client a massage, but my joy comes from helping that person heal. If I have many clients, thus a lot of money, I feel no need to inflate my prices just to hoard more money. I am simply grateful that I am able to share my energy with as many people as possible. Some may believe that those doing “spiritual” work should not ask for money. However, if there is no energy exchange, there is no value to the “work”. Some energy needs to be exchanged and money is the symbol set up today, however it could be anything, a loaf of bread or 10 gallons of gasoline for example.

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If you're interested in this topic I suggest reading the book, "Even Mystics Have Bills to Pay". Really worthwhile and wonderful.

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When one works at what one loves success is always the result. Like siddhis (powers ) from spiritual growth , one must never seek them for themselves because that would wind up being totally delusional and self-limiting.Siddhis are the natural expression of one's understanding and perception of their place in the universe. So also with prosperity. Money is energy. Period.That's all. A medium of exchange with which one can choose to use for whatever is needed and desired. Abundance is part of nature and so are we . When we act according to our natures , doing what we love well because we love doing it and thus inspiring all around to want some too, like siddhis, the results of our life works bring what the quest for them on their own would never. Money and power are the results of standing in ones own place and making of it what we will. People who search for those things always come up hungry because they are effects and intrinsically empty on their own. How we spend the money and how we earn it, what we do with that power are what counts. People give these words which are empty on their own too much power because they mistake their meaning. Is it power to steal as much as you can or to stay put in your own space without being moved out from it. The insatiable greed for more comes from mistaking what will nourish and satisfy. When one eats what nourishes one is no longer hungry. Coming here to learn from the results of our choices is our path to spiritual growth.

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I find it a bit wierd though talking about spirituality and money but then again Spirituality has become a business for some so called "Gurus" The teachers I have found have not asked for money ...maybe a donation to help pay the rent for the dojo but basically they are mostely humble and not so well off people with a clear message. Mixing ideas about Spirituallity and money is like trying to make Irish Stew with all the wrong ingridients. It just doesnt taste right.
Money has no value only that which you give to it. one needs a roof over their head and bringing up a family is an expensive venture these days however every family must decide how they do it. Not let the world dictate how you live. The big generalizations come from the people with big bucks in their pockets and corporate bank accounts oozing with money. Its loosing its material value every day and thoes who have money are getting worried about it. And thoes who were greedy in the good times made enough to set themselves up for life. Money makes the world go round.

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I too agree withmoney is not necessary for happiness. At the same time it's a very hard concept to teach your children these days. We have every need met, but the kids are going through school and feel the daily competition to have "things". I don't want them to think that money and things will make their life better, but it sure helps get through middle school!

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My Take:

"It doesn't really matter what you do. It is your state of mind that matters."

There is nothing wrong or right with having money and other comforts. It all depends on your state of mind and how attached you are. Do not be attracted or repulsed by what is presented to you, only accept what comes naturally in life.

In other words you can have your cake and eat it too. Just be accepting of the size of cake that eternity is presenting to you at this moment; as things will surly change in the next.

Namaste

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The bottom line is that obsessing and over-indulging in something may, and usually does, become a negative element that causes suffering.

It isn't necessarily just money, it could be anything.

This is about finding a balance among all things while following your bliss in this one rare and beautiful life.

Steve Schlicht
Biloxi MS

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