Prosperity Now! is called that because it reminds us that we live, work, play, exist and have power only in the Now! The present moment is the only place we can truly be. It is where we can decide, and act. It is where everything happens.
But our minds, our egos frequently can — and do — roam into the past or into the future where we have no power! This is one of the traps of our existence. We ruminate (or reminisce) about what was or fear (or anticipate) what will be and we can literally waste a lifetime living in our minds in those to places, which are wholly imaginary.
Prosperity Now! teaches us to stay in the moment — make sure that our head is in the same place as our feet — and “Begin it now...” as the famous quote goes.
On page 74 of Prosperity Now! I write:
Philosopher Johann von Goethe is rumored to have written, “Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it now. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now!”
We may be inclined to worry, hesitate, question, or balk. We may want to know how things will end. That kind of thinking can paralyze us before we start. Those magical words attributed to Goethe urge us to commit—with faith, to trust the benevolent Universe to move with and for us in the direction of our dreams. We only need take the first step.
Why wait for the Universe to pull you out of your comfort zone? Choose to change! You have the power to choose the path.
The entire quote, originally credited to Scotsman William Hutchison Murray, an early mountaineer and author of many inspirational books, deserves to be repeated in full:
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineff
ectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings, and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream, you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.
A different way to express this comes from English essayist Joseph Addison, “He who hesitates is lost.”
Trust the innate wisdom that resides in you. Let go and let God!
A pithy shorthand for the idea is: “Begin it now, and don’t ask how.”
Our minds need to be trained to focus on the present moment. This is easier than it sounds. Many people find joy, serenity, calm and peaceful energy in meditation. But many others balk at the idea. Maybe they’ve tried it and it was uncomfortable. They cannot sit still. Their mind fairly shouts at them, “Get up! Do something!”
Totally understandable. I often have that reaction, even today. Yet being “too anxious to meditate” is like saying, “I’m too hungry to eat!” It makes no sense. Meditation is one effective antidote to anxiety, depression and loss of energy.
It is exactly the same with tithing, which is the heart of “Prosperity Now!” Saying, “I’m too poor to tithe,” is right in line with the upside-down thinking that makes us lose years - decades - of life in ineffective fantasy. Tithing, meditation and other spiritual tools are practical ways to “Live the Life of Your Dreams!”
One way that works for me to meditate easily and with joy is to use Mindfulness Meditations as taught by Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, who lives in Plum Village in Thénac, France. As it says on their website, Plum Village is, “a global community of mindfulness practice centres offering retreats and teachings on engaged Buddhism and the art of mindful living.”
Thich Nhat Hanh teaches that anything, any activity can be used to train the mind to stay active in the present moment, and not drift away into the past and future. Washing dishes, taking a shower, walking, eating are wonderful ways to practice mindfulness.
All one has to do is stop and notice. When washing dishes, be focused on what’s going on: feel the water. Feel the soap. Feel the plate. Hear the running water. Notice your hands, your fingers. Quietly narrate what is happening, without judgment of expectation. It just is what it is, here. Now!
Pay attention to the muscles in your forearm as they move to do the work; the muscles and bones in your hands and fingers. Notice the sink. Smell the fresh scent of the dishwashing liquid. Stay in the activity.
This is meditation!
And on top of it all, you have a clean sink and a pile of clean dishes!
Stay in the Now! Your place of power, peace and Presence.
More about Mindfulness Meditations can be found here https://plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/
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