Bärbel Mohr Millionaires’ Shopping Guide for Greater Inner Wealth
Bärbel Mohr Millionaires’ Shopping Guide for Greater Inner Wealth
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Until now, this book has only been available in German – even when other books by the author have been translated into 15 languages. This English version is the first book of the author that is available as a free download. You are wished a great deal of joy, happiness and inner wealth.
Who is Bärbel Mohr? 1998 saw the publishing of her first and hitherto most successful book “Bestellungen beim Universum” (English: The Cosmic Ordering Service). She has sold more than 1.5 million books. To date, she has had a total of 20 books published. The Cosmic Ordering Service has been translated into 14 languages so far. In April 2006, Noel Edmonds, one of the most successful TV presenters in England, said on his talkshow that he ordered his TV-comeback, his partner and his new house from the universe as described in the book by Bärbel Mohr. The demand has boomed in England as a result. For more information about her see at the end of the book.
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Prologue
Everyone wants to be a millionaire, but nobody tells you how to maintain your wealth and how to be happy with money For a new society – which we are gradually in need of – we need a new approach towards money. This is particularly true for those who have the most money and thus are also able to make the most impact. Without inner wealth it is hardly possible to deal with the external external wealth in a responsible way, on the one hand, and, on the other, to deal with it in such a way that you feel spiritually fulfilled in the process. However, anyone who is spiritually fulfilled fundamentally invests and makes purchases very differently to someone who attempts to fulfil their inner void through shopping. My original intention was to publish this book with a small print-run as a shopping guide for millionaires, and to sell it via my website. I didn’t think that so many millionaires exist. However, my publisher enlightened me: according to “The Financial Times”, the number of millionaires in Germany is currently estimated to be 798,000. By 2016, the newspaper even expected a rise to 1.02 million German millionaires. This doesn’t even take the Austrians and Swiss into account. If just 10 percent of the current German millionaires were interested in internal wealth, this would already amount to 80,000 potential readers. I therefore decided to entrust the book to Konrad and the Koha publishing group. Books about dealing with money or how to become a millionaire are already ten a penny (“The path to becoming a millionaire” by Kurt Tepperwein or “The law of getting rich” by Wallace Wattles). Everyone wants to become a millionaire, but when you have succeeded there are no more guides about what to do. However, wealth doesn’t automatically provide the wisdom of how to be happy with it. It was life that gave me a nudge to write something on the subject (see introduction). More than 60 percent of lottery winners lose their money again within the shortest time. Incidentally – just in case some readers have crept in, who do not belong to the target group and who perhaps want to prepare themselves for their life as a millionaire, so that they do not immediately lose their ordered, won, inherited or earned money (as is the case with 60 percent of all lottery millionaires!!) – here is a small additional tip for you:
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Be conscious of how you feel when you spend money. Do you feel good? Do you think: “Dear money, I am happily returning you to the circulation of energy. I ask you to spread loving awareness and that you are dealt with holistically by all those who get hold of you. And you are welcome to return to me with many brothers and sisters.” If you think differently, then I would suggest changing your approach towards money. What is it like when you receive money? How does it make you think and feel? Is it something like this: “Dear money, regardless of whether you are a lot or a little, I warmly welcome you and hereby give you all of my love and good energy in order to make my contribution to the healing of the money awareness on the planet.” Again – if you think think something something very different different to this, then then I would suggest changing your approach towards money. For two reasons:
Firstly, if you have a bad feeling each time you have something to do with money – irrespective of whether it is as a result of spending it or receiving it, then your subconsciousness automatically wants to protect you from this “bad money”, which causes you so many bad feelings, and keep it away from you!! This is one of the reasons why more than 60 percent of all lottery millionaires ruin themselves again within one year. Their subconsciousness goes into a state of alarm and wants to save them from the evil money. If you constantly associate it with bad feelings, how is your subconscious automatism to know that you want to keep the money that you have either won or acquired in some other way?! And, secondly, secondly, if you hav have e bad feelings feelings when you you spend or receive receive money, then you pass bad energy onto all money that comes into your hands or flows onto your bank account. You are then energetically contributing if the world doesn’t learn to employ money in a sensible way and to the benefit of everyone. There are sufficient good examples (I only have to think of Yunus from the Grameen Bank and of Götz Werner Werner with his his suggestions of of a basic income income for every everyone). one). I wish you an enjoyable read! Bärbel Mohr
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Contents
Prologue Introduction
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Eac Each and and every ery mil milli lion onai airre rul rules es the the wor world ld a lit littl tlee bit bit – whe wheth ther er the they lik likee it it or or no not
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The pop star syndrome among billionaires
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Find yourself – then you will automatically find the rest
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Follow your vocation and your soul plan
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Internal and external wealth
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The ad advantages of of een nvy an and ho how to to pr protect yo yourself ag against it its di disadvantages
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What to buy and how? how?
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How to deal with incompetent friends in your business life
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How to give away money: difficult, but possible
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Crossing red lines
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Children, children
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Uncover scandals or dissolve them in unity consciousness?
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Be daring!
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Transform the external into the internal
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Interviews with happy millionaires
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Individual energisation sessions with Thomaz Green Morton in Brazil
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You You are light light and love love
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A compulsive compulsive spending spree - or making a free decision to buy?
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Exercises
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Epilogue
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Appendix: The next next steps, steps, tips and contact contact addresses
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Introduction
As a child child I was was taught taught that that books are something something precious precious and and that that they they are not to be scribbled over. I have never adhered to this because I see books as work tools, and I take special pleasure in making colourful drawings in them and highlighting things that I particularly like and that I want to take note of. I would like to invite you to do the same. Underline as much as you like so that it is easy to find again afterwards. It is quite possible that you will want to put one or more of the ideas into effect. It is therefore good if you are able to find them again without difficulty.
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How this handbook came about
Soros – Forwards and Backwards
During our annual Christmas carolling, Michael, a traditional healer, suggested to me: “Why don’t you write a shopping guide for millionaires?” It was meant as a joke.
Soon after our carolling session, someone sent me an article on George Soros (he made his billions on the stock market). I used to read about him regularly and it seemed to me as if he said: “Guys, take your funds out of the stock market, that is all nonsense – or else I will take it myself.” When people don’t take it out, he finds a way to take it, and then everyone curses him.
We We were were four couples singing singing our favourite favourite carols carols in the house of a doctor couple, who owned a wonderful grand piano and organ. We were reinventing the lyrics to make them more contemporary. During a break, we discussed all and sundry, going from one subject to the next. Someone mentioned two millionaires who, despite all their money – or maybe because of it - were more frustrated than anything else. They apparently wanted to use some of their wealth sensibly, but they had no idea how to go about it. At this moment moment Michael Michael said to me that that I should write a shopping guide for millionaires. “Nice idea. But you know I have a folder with around fifty great ideas. It is simply impossible to write a book about everything that comes to mind or about any ideas that come my way. If an idea is really full of energy then it will happen, otherwise it will not. And to tell you the truth, I do not think it will happen on this one.” This was my first impression, and all nodded in agreement. During the following weeks something unusual occurred. Almost all of my friends seemed to encounter millionaires and billionaires with the strangest stories, and some I got to meet personally. At least half of them who came into my environment had similar problems: they found it hard to deal with people’s envy; they were never sure who was a real friend and who was just a friend of their money; they fully identified themselves with their activities and their wealth; and they felt inwardly empty and torn just thinking about enjoying some peace and quiet without any following any particular goal - although that was exactly what they really desired! And most of them were not in the least bit healthy. It seemed as though the energies surrounding this shopping guide were already intensifying.
For conspiracy theorists he is of course the embodiment of evil. How can anyone force the Bank of England to devalue the pound and then proceed to make millions millio ns out of it themselves? Now that’s a thoroughly evil thing to do. And that was just the crowning touch in his infinite succession of misdeeds. Pundits write and talk about just how sick our system really is, and one person demonstrates this to us. It is as if he was holding an immense mirror directly under the nose of the world. The world then has the choice to learn something from the distorted reflection – or not to learn - and George Soros goes on earning money! Isn’t the world itself somehow in need of such an honest mirror? Otherwise we would never realise just how grotesque the system really is. Someone has to demonstrate it. Personally I would not want the job, but I do not harbour any ill feelings that would lead me to denounce his actions. One may view them from both sides – just as his name “Soros” reads the same from either side. And he is definitely definitely doing something right, since he is now 76 76 years old and seems to be highly content. This is in contrast to some of the other multimillionaires who started to appear in my immediate vicinity after the Christmas singing.
The millionaires’ illness Shortly after New Year, a friend told me that an exceedingly rich friend of her friend had died from frustration. Apparently, he could no longer bear that everyone he ever met had only one thing on his or her 7
mind: namely to somehow financially benefit from his millions, to tap him for money or similar. When the doctors told him he only had one more year to live, it got even worse: the heirs were elated and rubbed their hands with glee. He could sense it clearly and could no longer bear it. He did not wait out the year and died immediately – much to the joy of the heirs. Let’s see how long they will remain healthy! Here’s hoping for the best. His equally wealthy friend was so frightened by this that he started to dissolve his entire company empire in order to find new paths for himself. He simply did not want to end the same way! He knew first-hand what it was like to have the same gloomy attitude to life and the frustration experience by his friend. Similar stories kept swirling in my environment over the following weeks. I could hardly believe it. And, money alone cannot be responsible for illness. Apparently there is something rather important that you must know if you want to be happy with a lot of money.
Congratulations, Oprah
with joy, personal style, positive visions and cheerful aplomb. She personally interviewed the final 500 contenders for the school (from a total of 3,500) and selected 150. And the school looks as she wanted it: no compromises. At least that is what the media would have us believe. By the way, do you know that when social engagement is carried out with a happy heart – irrespective of whether you are poor or rich or anything in between – it increases health? It strengthens the immune system if you contribute positively to the whole. And physiologically that feeling translates directly into a more stable health condition.
Porsches and telephonists Today is January 4, 2007, by the way. The Christmas carolling is not so long ago. Nevertheless, around fifteen other millionaires have since cropped up. One of them said that the greatest feeling of his life was when, many years ago, he test drove a Porsche in the knowledge that he was soon going to buy it. The power under the hood, so dashing, so sporty! And it was his, how very gratifying!
Recently it was reported that Oprah Winfrey, probably the most famous talk show host in the USA, had set up a 30 million euro luxury boarding school for poor girls in South Africa. And what does the world do? It complains! Too much luxury for poor girls! There is a wellness centre, a yoga room and so on. The local architects did not initially grasp what Oprah wanted, presenting instead designs modelled after hen-coops, which did not get the boss’s approval!
That good feeling held up for exactly three days and then it abated. The beautiful Porsche was simply a means of transport again, just like any other car. And its owner is at a loss and looks around to see where he can get that elated feeling back again. I would have liked to prescribe a happiness seminar for him. I did not know then that I was going to write this little book. 1
For me, this just feels right. She wants to train the girls to become leaders, who are able to set new standards for their country at a later date. How can this succeed if they are educated in a hen-coop and retain their minority complexes towards the “great world”, which they are supposed to change in the future?
What was being shown on TV at this moment? A film about a millionaire, who left his long-time girlfriend for a telephonist. He was so happy with her that he made her his sole heir shortly before passing away. away. A friend of mine was telling me about this when my doorbell
I think Oprah is a good example of a millionaire who does it right. I don’t think she will need my shopping guide. It looks as if she approaches spending money 8
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Recommendations for happiness seminars in german and similar can be found on my website www.baerbelmohr.de under “wish projects”
rang. It was another friend, who proceeded to tell me of a millionaire who used his money to save drug addicts and to help them kick the habit. In contrast to his other business activities, activities, this fired his imagination i magination immensely. ly. Then the phone rang again and the friend from before was back on line and asked when the “Shopping guide for billionaires” would be ready. He had another friend who owned real estate all over the world. Nothing gave him joy anymore and he was as miserable as sin. However, he was a very decent guy and my friend wanted to give him the book as a gift.
That wasn't the last surprising call, but I think the examples are sufficient, because they were enough for me. I was certain that, in some way, there was more than enough energy in this project and that I would write as fast as I could! Never mind whether it will be for ten or a hundred readers. I trust the universe and that it knows why it does what it does. Furthermore, this project gives me a great deal of pleasure. Who then cares how many read it afterwards?
“Hmm,” I said, “I will tell you if anything comes of it.” Next day, another call: “Tell me, this shopping guide for multi-millionaires, are you really going to write it now? I need it urgently for about ten of my clients.” “Alright, OK, I will write a little bit, tomorrow.” There was no waiting for tomorrow. I lay awake all night and my thoughts circled around my earlier experiences in show business and about what millionaires have in common with pop stars. About twenty years ago I was working among the rank and file of showbiz and noticed that there were happy superstars and conversely distressed ones. And it was very obvious what the ones did right and the others did wrong. At first I kept switching switching on the light to tak takee notes. notes. But then it got the better of me and I got up in the middle of the night and wrote the first ten pages of the Guide! And by then it was somehow clear that I would write the remainder. The next morning there was another phone call from a friend who told me that a friend of his was interested in distributing the “Shopping guide for millionaires” in America. So what what was I to do? It was apparently apparently a sign to continue the writing. Just to make sure life was sending the necessary messages, another millionaire called who wanted to meet me for some brainstorming. She planned to give several million for a children’s project. Never before had I been approached with such a request! 9
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Each and every millionaire rules the world a little bit – like it or not Multi-millionaires and billionaires always rule the world a little bit – whether they like it or not. This seems like simple logic – at least to me - and for several reasons. Consider your average politician, whose income compared to the takings of an industrialist – is minimal, but is nevertheless resented by the majority of citizens. A few years years back back I met a gentleman who once once made 17 million euro. He said at the time that it seemed quite simple to him. When he got into the flow, the money seemed to come on its own. Then he sold the enterprise for a huge sum and it continues to be successful today. He, in turn, handed his money to several investors and – what a surprise – today he is completely bankrupt! It didn’t matter how often he changed the investment advisors, each one cost him a couple of million. Before he realised that he could not hand over responsibility in money matters to so-called experts, he had lost it all. I have experienced the same thing several times, but only within the scope of my personal “play money”, so the losses were annoying rather than dramatic. The more I earn, the more I realise that the money forces me to learn how to handle it better. Otherwise it will leave me again. So I have long understood why TV personalities unabashedly advertise the most peculiar things for sale on television. They would like to make as much money as everyone thinks they already have. :-) I am now convinced that managing money requires special talents and a structured and clear way of thinking. No matter what you are doing with the money – good or bad – you have to be on top of it, or it is all gone in a flash. Yes, you can develop these talents, but very few are born with it. Sure, I am not telling you anything new here. A tax consultant once told me that 98% of people who suddenly acquire wealth (inheritance, sudden windfall profit, unexpected business success) are broke within a year and have less than before. Many have even accumulated debt in that year.
Governing a country clearly also involves administering large sums of money: much larger sums of money than they have ever learnt to administer privately. Aha! Here we get to the critical point. If the billions of government money administered by politicians were transferred to their private accounts, it follows that 98% of them would most probably be bankrupt after one year! Why? Well, Well, after all they are only ordinary people like you and I and are equally unable to manage it on their own. However, they are now elected to a position of responsibility and have to deal with these enormous sums in their professional lives. Whilst there are also masterminds in politics, who are able to deal with it, there is a great chance that they are doomed to failure because of the system. The world is made up of so many jigsaw pieces. I believe the ailing financial system more to be the symptom rather than the disease itself, and I have never cared a lot about its nuts and bolts. To be fallen from grace, to be fallen out of the unity of all being, that to me is the disease (please see chapter “Transform the external into the interna i nternal”). l”). Most problems would simply vanish into thin air once humanity could achieve the consciousness of true unity. They are merely a symptom of the delusion of separation. But who is able to handle such sums? Well, you as a millionaire it seems, or else you would not be one. Apparently Apparently you have already acquired a certain structure and clarity of thought, as well as the ability to control even huge sums of money. If I were a nouveau riche billionaire (one single million would no longer be sufficient for the project), I would probably donate training courses on how to deal with money for all those whose knowledge in this area is important for society – along the lines of the Grameen Bank2 in Bangladesh. In 2000, I visited Muhammad Yunus, the founder and owner of the Grameen Bank, for a video interview at his bank in Bangladesh. I was delighted for him when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006! He only gives out loans under the condition that the borrowers first participate in a course about handling money. The 98.82% pay back rate (status December 2006, see http://www.grameen-info.org/bank/GBGlance.htm) corroborates his belief! 2
The problem was always that they got rich too quickly and did not have enough time to learn how to deal with wealth.
On my homepage, you’ll find an article about the Grameen Bank in the free online magazine – if the details interest you. Muhammad
Yunus meanwhile makes turnovers of billions and is a charming, self-contained, creative individual.
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The Bangladesh Industrial Bank has, according to Yunus, a pay back rate rate of only 10%! Yunus refuses refuses to keep calling it a bank. He calls it a “charity-for-the-rich” institution… When asked for an explanation of his success, Mr Yunus simply states: “I have looked at what a normal bank does and did everything in the exact opposite way.” way.” Now back to the actual subject of this chapter: millionaires have a part in governing the world – even those who don’t want to. In summary: • Millionaires are able to handle millions, or even billions, where few others can. • They have the structure, clarity and the overview to handle these sums without getting bogged down. Only a fraction of the population can do this. • And they do – mostly – do with the money as they please, rather than the money dictating to them. If it were different, they would soon be broke like most other people. Apparently Apparently more than 90% 90% of all capital capital in the world world is controlled by only 2% of the people. (The figures you can read on that only vary slightly). This is like lottery winners: only a few percent it seems, are able to handle their windfall sensibly. If you are one of the 2% controlling more than 90% of the world’s capital, you leave an imprint on the world with everything you do. Sometimes more than a politician can. Normally, millionaires and CEOs of large corporations are not elected every four years and have little interest in re-starting their professional lives every four years as politicians are forced to do. As a millionaire you keep your position in the economy much longer as compared to a politician. It’s simple logic that your decisions will leave a more durable mark on the world market than those of many politicians. Whereby, it is possible that one or other of you has influence over the appointment of political posts than is generally imagined…
the beginning, after the Christmas carols several people came into my vicinity who had become seriously ill - or at least frustrated through to seriously depressed - precisely on account of these millions and who partially felt swamped by this responsibility. Two or three apparently even died as a result. Irrespective of who met each of them when and where. Everyone who heard that they were dealing with the mystic $crooge McDuck (name changed by the author :-) ), opened their eyes wide and only had one thought in their heads: “How can I exploit their millions to my advantage?” Who they were was as a person was only interesting from one perspective, namely that of exploitation: “Which is the best technique to make money out of these millionaires?” In plain terms, these sad millionaires suffered from the pop star syndrome, but at least this is a treatable condition.
The pop star syndrome among millionaires It became clear to me that industrialists and other millionaires can suffer from the “pop star syndrome”, when I heard of the first five millionaires who were sick and frustrated. They could no longer cope with the fact that everyone just wanted their money. The situation with pop stars is a bit different, but the cure is the same. In my early twenties, I was together with a rock music photographer for one and a half years. At some point I was appointed as photographer’s assistant and got to know many of the stars of the late Eighties – not least of all on account of the photo studio that we had in our living room. They had a very similar same problem to many of the millionaires.
Whatever Whatever the the case, whether you you get involved involved in politics politics or not: I am interested in the oneness of all people and the aspect that we, the non-millionaire mass, influence you, the millionaires, and vice versa. No human, inhuman, or Martian can make money selling low-quality fast food if no one buys it. In this respect, in my capacity as consumer, I have an influence on and share of responsibility for how money is earned.
No one is interested in the person behind the pop star persona. People either suck up to them because they need them professionally or boast to have exchanged a few words with them. It is even worse with the hardcore fans.
Let’s get back to those millionaires, who are aware that they somehow rule the world a bit and are disillusioned with the responsibility. As already mentioned in
Now you – as a millionaire - could say: “Well, at least the fans are in love with the stars. With us they only pretend because of the money and later the possibility
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of a divorce settlement.” But this is not the whole truth. Although the fans are really in love, love, they are in love love with the make believe image of the person that they have created in their dreams. The reality is always different, but nobody wants to know it. And it’s precisely this that creates frustration. I remember a famous band that I had previously only known from photographs and whom we then photographed on tour. Judging from the magazine pictures, I thought the lead singer and star of the band to be arrogant, tight-lipped, super-cool and pumped full with drugs. That’s the way he seemed from a distance. However, I almost flipped out when I got to know him. He was with the boy scouts, and told the kids after the concert he had to go to the hotel and get some hot milk. He also said he needed his sleep to be in top form for the next concert. He could talk all night, without a full stop and at break-neck speed for hours on end. I had never met a man who was such a “motor mouth” – I only knew a few women women like this. By the way, way, he was in no way gay. Incidentally, nobody told him the truth when they no longer wanted to listen. Anyway, I was floored when I found out how wrong I had been. Most of the fans would feel the same way if they got to know him. They know the voice and the photographs and they fall in love with an illusion. There can be no talk of having got to know and then fallen in love with the real person. Thus the “love” for the pop star has no more value than the hope for a huge divorce settlement, does it? At the time I was fascinated to see that the stars could clearly be divided into two categories: manic personality with star allure (starts to whine when no one asks for an autograph within fifteen minutes) or surprisingly down-to-earth, pleasant and normal on a human level. This fascinated me so much that I wrote a story for adolescents called Max and Leander: The Superstars, which was published years later as a children’s book. The stars of category two obviously understood something that category one had not yet grasped. When the manics of category one met a fan, I could have shrunk into the ground because the adoring stance of the fans and the reaction of the stars were so unpleasant for me. Presumably we'd find a major lack of self-esteem with those stars. Now of course there are some pop stars who do not need any of this. They deal with fans quite differently. When fans start fainting because they are in the presence of their heroes, the pop star turns out to be a normal person talking about normal things. The fans wake
up to the fact that reality is different from their expectations. The demigod or demigoddess had outed themselves as a normal person, and the fan worship has dissipated. I was also able to experience this human mechanism first-hand. In the early days in my role as an author, when I first began to give talks and these were attended by no more than 30 to 50 people, I already felt alienated from my audience. After the lecture they would approach me in the same submissive attitude to ask their questions. They would act as if I was miles above them with my wisdom. Apart from this being untrue, I felt very uneasy with the situation. But life was kind to me and it soon sent me a businesswoman who advised me to love my audience when I spoke. They would feel my love and approach me quite differently. And since the discovery of mirror neurons we can begin to understand how they feel this. 3 Brain researchers are now able to observe which nerves in the brain are activated by various actions or feelings. And they found that our brain simulates simulates all actions actions or feelings it observes in another human. Only about 7% of our communication is based on words; 93% is based on inflection, facial expressions, body language and mirror neurons. This means that when I pretend to be happy when I am actually sad, the mirror neurons would usually reflect my sadness to the people I encounter. They would have have an indicator that something was amiss. The same thing occurs between a speaker and the audience. As long as I felt the pressure to perform and wanwanted to give as perfect a lecture as I could, people reacted in a reserved way. As soon as I concentrated on love when giving my talks, everything changed. You You might ask, “How do you concentrate concentrate on love love for people that you only see from a distance and don’t know at at all?” I am sure you will develop your own routine if you want. If you were not creative, you would also not have been creative enough to become a millionaire in the first place, let alone to remain one. Just for inspirat inspiration ion purposes, I will will tell you what I came up with. I imagine that my best friends are sitting in front of me, and not in an auditorium, but in my living room. Then I only talk about exciting things that interest me at that moment and that is what I share with my best friends. 3
If you want to get more details about mirror neurons, you should read the books by Joachim Bauer, a professor for psycho immunology at Freiburg, Germany.
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Since I received this advice, I have 300 Ingrids and 100 Manfreds in front of me. And the good news is that now, when people come forward to ask a question, we talk as if we had gone to school together. They are completely relaxed and natural. natural. All stiffness and timidity is gone! This is probably what the downto-earth pop stars of category two discovered and this is the “weapon” you may also apply. Whenever a new person approaches you, covertly open your heart to him or her. You You do not have to hold up up a sign that informs everyone of your intention. Try to see the soul’s beauty in the eyes and the appearance, and create the intention to feel the oneness between you and the other person!
What oneness? On the subatomic level all is one, accoraccording to quantum physics. (You'll find more information on that on my website.) On the subatomic level, you cannot discern where the air you breathe begins and where you end, or vice versa. You cannot distinguish between an atom of air and between an atom of your lung. Everything intermingles and influences everything else on the level of vibration or frequency, on the level of mirror neurons, and energetically. If you feel connected to others, you are in this feeling of oneness. And you radiate it! Their mirror neurons are activated and the other person feels that you have opened your heart to them, that you feel connected with them. Just be aware aware that most people have have less power of concentration than you do and that they will be more than happy to be infected by this fundamental feeling that you offer. Even if someone had planned to ask you for money, that intention will immediately dissipate when he or she feels touched on the heart-connectivity level.
Now assume the reverse and that the other person has seen you before you became aware of them. He or she will then approach you with the inner attitude and clear intention of “I will talk his ears off and then ask him for money”. You turn around in surprise … Who will now determine determine the the energy between between the two two of you? Who will have have the stronger stronger chara character cter in this situation? situation? Who is more more conscious of the situation and more more stable within himself or herself? If the other person were the stronger, would he or she need to hit you up for money? No, so you must be the more conscious. So proceed as before: open your your heart, perceive the beauty in the other, and connect on 14
a heart level. Who knows what you would do as a young person, ambitious but still broke, when meeting a millionaire. I have seen ambitious German pop stars chase behind international stars more hysterically than any other fan. And just before doing so, they have complained about how repugnant such behaviour is. Claim the conversation and connect on a heart level.
So much for getting hit up for money. Should he or she still try, then maybe it will be in a way that makes you both laugh about it. Then you have the opportunity to cultivate the art of lovingly saying no. Once you perfect this, please give me some pointers: I am still practising it myself. Particularly saying NO to the requests to give talks. I have about fifty more inquiries than I have time for and I still can’t say NO without feeling bad. If people are up front it’s not a problem to say no using the technique of opening the heart and so on, but as a rule I put my cancellations in writing and always imagine many people are angry with me. I think it is more a case of changing how I deal with myself. A final tip concerning concerning the pop pop star syndrome: syndrome: I rememremember that I once wanted to meet a Singhalese friend in the ‘One World’ café. At the front door, there stood a dark-skinned man who looked at me extremely bitterly and po-faced. I hardly dared go through the door, but for the fact that I had arranged to meet my friend inside. The man’s expression changed in a flash when he realised that I wanted to go into the “One World” café. Joyfully surprised, he sprang to the side and held the door open for me whilst grinning like a Cheshire cat. It looked as though I was certainly one of these evil passerbys, who thought badly of this café and all of its guests. It doesn’t really matter why we sometimes feel that we are treated differently, or whether we feel ourselves superior or inferior to others. The truth is that if you are paranoid you might start to see ghosts where there are none and scare scare good people off. Maybe it was was you who chased them away with your “I know you are wicked” look. Think of the mirror neurons: whatever you expect of others – good or bad, it will rub off on others. Thus you create your own reality. The Swedes have a great saying for this. It basically means: If you treat another person like a king, you draw the kingly side out of them! Along the lines of the way in which you deal with others creates their reaction towards you. Therefore, always simply expect the best from your counterpart. Isn’t it better to expect too much from others on nine occasions and to find a new friend, than to lower ex-
pectations on ten occasions and miss the potential new friend? We We often rush to judgement because we feel offended and lower our expectations when someone does not smile back at us and may have a queer look on their face. One of my test readers (he’ll turn up in the interview again) said something appropriate about this: “If you place superficial values around your personality like a coat, you shouldn’t be surprised by strange reactions. On the other hand, if you simply appear with your personality - pure, just as you are - you automatically meet people who are relaxed and without interpersonal complications. Summary … How to get rid of the pop star syndrome and the feeling of alienation, especially towards non-stars and nonmillionaires. • Open your heart • Focus your attention on the beauty of the other person’s soul • Have a natural and open approach, and you will also be treated in such a way. The way in which you shout into the forest, is the way in which the echo comes back to you • Activate your feelings of oneness and heart connection. These will in turn ignite the chemical reaction in the body and the appropriate neurons, which the other person will in turn feel and which will automatically lead to a warm-hearted reaction.
Find yourself – then you will automatically automatically find the rest
Sometimes we are unable to pick the right pair of shoes from the shelf, even they are directly in front of us. It’s basically the same with finding friends. I have a friend who used to dig through the racks in the shoe shop and tried on one pair after the other. Nothing pleased her and no shoe was comfortable enough. When she had her eighteen-month-old daughter with her, she knew she had to be quick or else the child would become impatient. She also had some other errands to run and was somewhat pressed for time. As expected, expected, the girl grew weary but she had a good intuitive connection to the “elementary power”, as I would call it. The toddler picked a shoe from the shelf and set it down before her mother. mother. Unable to speak properly, properly, her mother thought she wanted to play with the shoes and told her to stop it. But as the baby kept looking at her, she understood. She tried the shoe the girl had picked and, lo and behold, it fit like a glove and was exactly what she wanted! She said she would never have picked that model because when she saw it on the shelf she didn’t like it. She never thought that shoe would fit her so well and look so great! Let me put it this way: When you don’t feel connected to your inner self and the elementary power, you lose your intuition. You won’t recognise recognise the potential bosom buddy in front of you or the perfect shoe.
Heaven knows, there are more than enough people and shoes on this planet and plenty of opportunities to get in touch with both. So the choices are endless and the possibilities for real connection are right at your feet! The actual question is not: “WHERE do I find him or her?” The question should really be formulated as: “How do I find myself? What can I do to get in touch with myself again?” If I succeed, I will also realise that potential good friends are right in front of my nose – as are the shoes. Another fatal mistake mistake when finding friends is to hide your humanity (personal likes, dislikes, weaknesses and whatever makes us human). This is a sure way to stay lonely. If you share your humaneness with others, then you are one of them - no matter who is the more intelligent, prettier or whatev w hatever. er.
“I am unable to find any real friends, all they want is my money or to bask in my glory.” glory.” Does that sound familiar? familia r?
Hildegard von Bingen put it perfectly:
Of course I don’t know whether you are self-made person or you were born rich. If you are self-made I suggest you think back to how it used to be. Did you have a hundred friends on every corner? You don’t have to be a millionaire to find it difficult to find real friends.
“As long as a person cannot encounter himself in the eyes and hearts of his fellow man, he is running away. As long as he does not not allow allow his fellow fellow human human beings beings to share in his innermost being, there is no sense of belonging. 15
As long as he fears fears to be found found out, he is neither able able to perceive himself nor others. He will be alone. Everything is connected with everything else.” However, be careful: it is just like the shoes in our example. The good friend may look quite different from what you imagined. You can only perceive them with your heart and, if you do not follow your intuition, you can overlook them.
The shoe-shelf method for finding friends If this is still difficult for you (practice makes perfect), I advise the following approach: talk to the person to whom you had no inclination to talk to in the first place. I used to do this frequently at those parties in which a certain boredom arose (today I simply give those parties a wide berth). However, I was young then and – like everyone else – I was “indoctrinated” to only look for attributes such as “young, beautiful, and successful”, so I smiled at the handsome young men to begin with. After having having long boring discussions with them, I turned my attention to the next category: “Not quite the cream in my coffee, but more or less a possible contact”. There was no improvement. The fun only began when I went on to: “I wouldn’t touch these with a barge pole, they’re not my type at all.” Some were bent on yammering and I turned away as quickly as possible. However, there were others whose frustrated looks soon transformed into being pleasantly surprised and we had lively and lengthy conversations. They came from all walks of life and age groups, and there was even one child who told me the most fantastic things he had done that week. These chats were amusing or touching and in no way boring anymore. Just like the shoes on the shelf: at the beginning of a party I was unable to perceive who was right for me and with whom a good chat might be possible. As a result, I regularly addressed the wrong people first, and then found the most delightful conversation partners among those present whom I had initially mentally rejected. So when your intuition at times is not much stronger than mine, then try the shoe-shelf method: talk to those whom you would never normally address. Leave no one out, neither the waiter nor the aged or children. Talk to those you do not mean to talk to and, in this way, I guarantee that you will find new and genuine friends sooner or later. Seek them out because they will most 16
probably not greet you with an overly friendly, bootlicking smile, whatever your mood at the time. In parallel, start looking for yourself and begin by sensing yourself more. You will then automatically perceive the voice of your heart more clearly and thus, not only find true friends, but also your way in life that fulfils, satisfies and nourishes. Many of you millionaires or billionaires abound with energy, and it sometimes appears that you pursue an activity that doesn’t nourish, but rather exhausts your energy. If you have a surplus of energy ene rgy,, then you want to invest it in some way. That’s great! The secret lies in arranging your life in such a way that you not only invest your energy sensibly, but also make sure that the activities and contacts you pursue provide a nourishing reflux of energy and not just money. With this we land seamlessly in the next chapter and the story of Ursula Maria and Wulf Peter.
Follow your vocation and your soul plan Ursula Maria was a divorced single mother and career coach living near Lake Ammersee in Bavaria. Wulf Peter, also a divorced single parent, was a spiritual adviser specialising in soul orders and had always lived far away near Braunschweig (Brunswick). They had both placed an order with the universe for their dream partners (as described in my book The Cosmic Ordering Service). And they found them at the very moment that they found themselves. In parallel, and without knowing each other, they came to the conclusion that each person’s soul came to this Earth equipped with a plan. It has something it wants to experience or has something to take care of. If a person follows the soul plan and lives according to his or her calling rather than just working in a lucrative job, they feel fulfilled, content and experience a nourishing return of energy e nergy.. I fully support this. When writing my books, I sometimes withdraw to a hotel for three days (after having collected material for a year or so) and there I write for twenty hours non-stop, sleep, go swimming, take a walk
and then write for another twenty hours. The last time I did this, I arrived at the hotel with a heavy cold and asked myself whether it was really a good idea to work for twenty hours at a time. But writing is something I love and I would do it even if no one else read a single line. It fires me up and frees my head. So, despite my reservations, I began to write, got into my normal writing mania and twenty hours later my cold was gone! The same goes for one of my favourite healers (see my website for details). On some days she has clients from dusk until dawn, and instead needing a walking stick at the end of the day, she is ever so charged with energy and joy. “Being permitted to carry out this work” gives her energy without taking any away from her. Obviously she has found herself the right spot in life! That’s how it should be! There is a fine line between wound-up energy, which puts the ego into a short-lived state of euphoria and which costs us energy in spite of everything – if we really pay attention to how we feel within our heart and body –, and the really nourishing energy of authentic joy. So pause for a moment, if you currently feel euphoric from your work stop and ask yourself: Is the ego basking in its glory or is your soul being nourished by what you do? Back to Ursula Maria and Wulf Peter. They both established their own unique counselling services as opposed to the usual occupational counselling. They realised that people lose energy, strength and joy in life over time when they just do a job and do not follow their calling. Their passion was to help others to also find their own fulfilling path in life. In Braunschweig, Wulf Peter reserved a website domain containing the phrase “occupational counselling”. Shortly afterwards, Ursula had the same idea at the other end of Germany. She tried to register the same domain name, but was disappointed to notice that the site was already taken. taken. Guess what she did? She wrote wrote to the owner of the domain. After some time they finally spoke on the phone and a little later met at Lake Ammersee. Shortly into their conversation, they both had the feeling of having arrived… arrived at their final destination in the search of their soul partner. And now they live together at Lake Ammersee, which is no problem since Wulf Peter’s son is already grown-up. Having found themselves and their calling, they were able to find each other. And this brings us back back to the previous previous subject: find yourself and the right friends and partners will follow.
What is my soul plan? What is the the soul? The immortal part of us. You may want to sit down and close your eyes. Breathe smoothly and relax to the point where you don’t even feel your physical body anymore. Imagine you are no longer surrounded by the planet, and even even your physical body disappears. What is left of you? Spiritually speaking, it is your essence, your soul, independent from your earthly existence. That is what remains when all else falls off. What is a soul plan? As soon as we're we're born we are caught up in so many mundane impressions and feelings. We quickly concentrate our focus very intensely on the outside and easily forget to pay attention to that which is inside us. If we could only be still and listen to our hearts more, then we would uncover the deepest wishes and desires of our soul that no one can tell us about.. We alone are able to uncover our deepest heart’s desires and soul plans. Others may accompany and support us, but they can never do it for us. Why AM I NOW NOW on this Earth? It is good to keep asking this question. What if we - as a soul, as an energy being - had some ideas about it, had a plan? Even if in reality there were no great cosmic plan, the question may lead you to listen within and find the core of your human nature and with it the lifestyle that you need to feel fulfilled, satisfied and energetically nourished by your life. All nature nature tends towards towards harmony harmony. Einstein knew that, too. And every baby enters this world with a yearning for harmony. Nobody arrives here nagging and dissatisfied and bored. All of these feelings only arise when we alienate ourselves from our own nature, one that leans towards harmony. harmony. OK then, what is your soul plan, the inner image of your individual happiness, your innermost nature? Perhaps it is simply to have a special kind of experience. Which one have you chosen for yourself? With which problems problems and obstacles obstacles do you you have have to test yourself? Einstein realised that one cannot usually solve problems on the same level upon which they were created. created. To find a solution, you have to go to a higher level of consciousness. What is your soul plan? To what level of consciousness do you plan to go? What do you plan to do there?
In the completeness of the plan, it might be OK to hold a mirror up to oneself and humanity and to demon17
strate how crazy the system is in which we intentionally or unintentionally find ourselves (e.g. such as the case of George Sorros in the example at the beginning of the book, or you have so far only earned your money through exploitation and have reached the point at which you no longer feel good about this). There is no reason to berate ourselves for what is past: “I am so wicked; I have not cared enough for my children.” And with this grief we get depressed and again nothing will get done. I know people like this and I do not think this is the best way. It is far better to spare yourself the destructive retrospection. Hold constructive discourses with your soul on how to find your soul plan right now or – if in principle you already live it -whether there is something that now has to be added or changed. A certain “self update” update” is always always helpful in the context of a fulfilling and nourishing way of life.
Shopping on the Confucius Scale You You haven’t haven’t heard heard of the “Confucius Scale”? Scale”? I have have also just discover discovered ed it. Confucius Confucius says: says: It is better better to light the smallest light than to complain about the general darkness. And the Confucius Scale that I have have just thought up goes from minus ten (blowing out the maximum amount of light and groping around in the dark) to plus ten (lighting the personal maximum number of lights). Whenever Whenever you plan to buy something, you could ask yourself how many points this purchase (the product or service itself and the effect of the purchase in general) would have on the Confucius Scale. Does this purchase increase or decrease the total light in your life and on Earth? Or does it reduce the light as a whole? You have to think holistically in order to grasp this concept. I am also in the process of consciously practising this and can whole-heartedly say that I haven’t optimally mastered it yet. There is a video portrait called Grenzgänger about Hans Peter Dürr, professor of nuclear physics and laureate of the alternative Nobel prize. (Professional “Grenzgänger“ are people who spend their lives crossing cultural borders.) The video also portrays Amory Lovins. The latter latter lives in an area where the temperature drops to -40 Celsius at night, but he only pays about 10% of the heating and energy costs of normal houses. And, to top that, he is raising tropical fruit in his house! Such a project seems to me to be much higher on the Confucius Scale. There must be many places on Earth that could do with such houses, and this would be an improvement of the current state. 18
The soul comes from the light and it wants to bring the maximum amount of its light to Earth. If you invest your money in such a way that you produce a lot of light, then you are most likely very close to your soul plan. One of my four interview candidates towards the back of the book told me, “Always ask yourself: What gives me energy? What takes energy away from me? If you follow what it is that gives you energy and surround yourself with people, who give you energy, then you will automatically automatically come closer to your soul plan.”
Internal and external wealth People who are only rich on the outside will always have a problem. In the long run they may get sick if the inner wealth does not keep pace. Inner wealth has to do with allowing yourself to being in touch with - and accepting of -yourself, no matter what society thinks. Inner wealth is characterised by an abundant heart, which is able to enjoy the small things in life. Inner wealth automatically leads to finding genuine friends, soul sisters and soul brothers, without having to make much effort. Now I would like to tell you how two soul sisters met each other as a result of their inner wealth and their ability to follow their hearts and inner counsel. Real life examples are usually better than factual explanations at illustrating what is meant and, above all: what it feels like. What these two recently experienced, and told me about just five hours ago, can equally be experienced by you - and perhaps you are already doing so.
Two soul sisters For eight years now Angelika H. has been my preferred Prana healer. She can see the energy fields and chakras (energy centres within the body) of her clients, and she can cleanse and balance them without touching the client. In the process, she discusses issues from her clients’ lives and what currently needs to be worked on.
Her work is thus a mix of instruction for self-help and energy support.
had the feeling that Isabelle may need the book and that it was no accident that the book came instead of the CD.
A few few weeks weeks ago, her spiritual spiritual guides and helpers helpers in the invisible spaces told her that – from then on – she would also be able to include the energy of angels in her work. She was also told that she should therefore attend the Angel Congress in Hamburg, Germany. This was a congress with around fifteen speakers talking about angels. Angelika felt a bit sceptical and, since she lives in Munich, the drive to Hamburg was also an impediment. You cannot and should not simply believe and accept every internal input, without first examining them. However, she finally opened up to the idea and flew to Hamburg to attend the congress.
When Isabelle Isabelle returned returned home that that evening, evening, she had the same feeling. She took the book and thumbed through the pages. She paused somewhere and opened the book in the middle of a chapter about Prana Healing and about Angelika, whose work I had dedicated a chapter in the book.
She very much liked one of the speakers, who was called Doreen Virtue. When Ms Virtue called a group of her students to join her on stage, Angelika scanned their energy fields. She wasn't able to see their faces very clearly. However, she found the energy field of one of the ladies very appealing, very positive and powerful. So she leaned back and thought: “OK, but I am not going to fly to the U.S. for the other sessions. It's simply impossible with my two kids. If you (my guides and angels in the spiritual realms) really think that it is time for me to start working with angels, send me a clear sign. Otherwise I shall go back home and leave it.” What she did not know, know, and somehow had misunderstood, was that the lady whose field she had liked did not live in the U.S., but – surprise – also lived in Munich! However, for the time being nothing happened and she went back to Munich with apparently nothing resolved. For another two weeks nothing happened. Then a lady called Isabelle rang her and asked for an appointment. She said something about ordering a CD and receiving a book instead, and that this was the reason she wanted an appointment. appointme nt. Angelika did not quite understand, but agreed to an appointment anyway. Angelika was totall totally y unawar unaware e that that Isabelle Isabelle was was the same student of Doreen Virtue's, whom she had seen on stage and perceived as so positive. Isabelle of course did not know anything of the clear sign Angelika had asked for! She simply had ordered the CD 'OM' by master Mantak Chia, the father of Prana healing. But something had gone wrong at Koha Verlag (which coincidentally – if there is such a thing at all, happens to be the publisher of the German version of this book) and instead the mailman had delivered my book Neue Dimensionen der Heilung (New Dimensions of Healing). Isabelle’s fiancé had unpacked it and was about to send it back. However, something stopped him and he
Isabelle had actually planned to go to the U.S. for a session with a friend of Doreen Virtue, but reading the name Angelika H. set bells off within her and she immediately went to the phone, called Angelika and booked a session. She assured her it wasn't her usual behaviour to book sessions just anywhere, but the impulse had been too strong! When the day came and Angelika opened the door, door, they immediately had the feeling that they knew each other. Neither said a word about it since, despite the feeling of familiarity, they did not know each other. Isabelle entered the house and Angelika caught her breath. She told me that she clearly saw that Isabelle did not come alone, but was accompanied by a host of angels who entered with her. Angelika is able to see subtle energies and she was taken aback. What would such a lady want with her? For what and why would she need help? Nevertheless, she didn't say a word and proceeded with the session. During the session, the angels told her that Isabelle was the very lady she saw at the angel congress, and that she was the sign Angelika had requested. Angelika could hardly believe it and, after the session, cautiously asked whether Isabelle had planned to go see Doreen Virtue in the U.S. Isabelle mentioned that she planned a trip to the States and that instead she was now here with Angelika. This was much nearer, since like Angelika and Isabelle lived in Munich. Isabelle was astonished by the question and said that no, not to Doreen, but to a friend of hers. So Angelika asked again and it turned out that Isabelle was precisely the one whose energy field had so impressed her during the angel congress. Then she proceeded to tell the whole story. “Well, well, then the publisher sent me the book by Bärbel Mohr instead of the CD so that you could receive your sign,” Isabelle said with a laugh. But the session also proved to be a blessing for her too. For Angelika’s work impressed her as much as Isabelle’s angels impressed Angelika. And so Isabelle started additional training in Prana healing and now both work with Prana and angels at the same time. 19
Of course they have discussed that initial feeling of intimacy and soul sisters and plan to work together in the future.4
Inner wealth grows from silence, from listening within For me this is a perfect example of what inner wealth, among many other things, can do: To be daring, to put your trust in life, to ask life for advice and to have the ability to follow the impulses and the call of your own heart. You are then richly rewarded by being led to exactly those people who spontaneously touch your heart, and with contacts who are nourishing and enriching; internally, irrespective of money. Once inner and outer wealth complement each other, holistic beauty can naturally be created on all levels and put into action within the world. And that, in turn, bestows the feeling of being blessed to be able to do and implement and experience all of this. Being overwhelmed with sensory stimuli only to escape the dreaded inner silence becomes unnecessary and superfluous because, in the end, you will find exactly what the heart is really searching for: namely, the contact with your own soul and your own soul plan. Isn’t it grotesque somehow? How often we avoid silence so we do not have to get in touch with ourselves? We are in absolute horror of being alone in solitude. And that goes for everyone, irrespective of their income. But that is precisely where the inner wealth comes from, which we need in order to perceive the outer wealth as a blessing and not as a partial curse. What do I hear pop pop stars stars and actors actors often often repeat repeat in their interviews? Their fame carries a curse, which they would love to escape. But just like any other person, these boys and girls keep running from their inner wealth instead of discovering and exploring it! Most of us fear entering the silence and being alone with ourselves for once, without a task, without an appointment, without an aim. We are afraid of losing ourselves and everything by which we have previously defined ourselves. “Who am I, if I am not the one who does this and that?”
It is my wish that you will not commit the same error as many spiritual people, and think you have to choose between money and love. On the contrary, if you – in your capacity as a billionaire or millionaire – discover this inner wealth, you can unabashedly use it to increase your outer wealth. Who else, if not a human in possession of both inner and outer wealth, can handle it sensibly and “serve the unity of all being”. I wish you a simultaneously blessed inner and outer abundance, and for the rest of the world I wish a basic income so that there will be no hungry children anymore. And here I mean physical hunger as much as hunger for love. Wouldn't that be magnificent?
The advantages of envy and how to protect yourself against its disadvantages disadvantages Envious glances Envy is an interesting emotion and worthy of closer inspection. On the one hand, envious glances often cause a release of serotonin in the envied person. Serotonin is a chemical nerve messenger that is responsible for the feeling of contentment and being “satiated” with something. But not everyone has the ability to feel satisfied and satiated anymore.
A picture picture of them both, as well as their contact contact information, is on my my
4
homepage www.baerbelmohr.de under “books”, listed with this book and with the additional information relating to this book. 5
In the attempt to escape the earthly world by making contact with the spiritual world, it is equally as possible to lose touch with oneself as it is with working too hard. This no longer has anything to do with inner peace and soul plans, but rather with a new drug. What matters is how you do it and the basic attitude that you have towards
We We are afraid that we are nothing, and the truth is that we are much more than just the small busybody who needs a million contacts and two million tasks to be “somebody”. What we can can find in the silence, in the calm, calm, in the the aimlessness and in the pure state of being without expectations, is our soul, our soul plan and our inner wealth, our divine core. 5 20
it (e.g. to want to accept or relinquish responsibility). What can I do in order to differentiate a true contact to my inner source from charlatan energies coming from the spiritual world? Why do some mediums channel so much correctly and others so much nonsense? Which medium can you go to? If this is a subject that interests you, then you will find an article in the free online magazine under www.baerbelmohr.de on the subject “Sub-levels, true and false channellings and creator consciousness”.
For instance, after a day’s work, the work should cause the release of dopamine, which is responsible for our experience of joy. Once an individual goes home after work, they should have a feeling of satisfaction over what they have achieved and be able enjoy their leisure time. With this, serotonin is released. However, if one has forgotten how to be satisfied, the release of serotonin does not take place, and the person in question feels inner emptiness and dissatisfaction. They compensate this by quickly resuming work in order to at least profit from the dopamine. Or else they compensates for the lack of serotonin by cruising at night in their Ferrari in front of the most exclusive bars in town and drawing envious stares. Scientists say that this, in turn, releases serotonin and generates a short-term sense of satisfaction. Serotonin deficiency may also be caused by malnutrition, for 95% of this substance is produced in the intestine. If you eat greasy food late at night, it will also negatively influence the production of Serotonin. Eating greasy food late at night causes the famous “Latin temperament”. Give people more healthy food and the easily inflammable temperament will be calmed. People will simply be more satisfied! Now back to envy. This is one side of it: If we have a serotonin deficiency, envy might help us because envious glances will support production of serotonin. Incidentally: If someone does NOT suffer from a serotonin deficiency, they will either not notice those envious glances because their attention is elsewhere, or they find them uncomfortable. With a healthy, more balanced serotonin level, the experience of envy is not a positive emotion because it separates us from others and a healthy psychic nature is not happy about this accordingly.
Envy can incite a better personal performance Another side of of envy is that that it can make make a person try to achieve more. And merely by thinking how they can achieve what they pine for, envy will disappear. Making plans is sufficient to strengthen self-confidence. But then of course you also have to apply them, or else the next surge of envy will be even stronger. Envy is also the resentment of one’s own inability to achieve the same. Somebody shows you that it is possible, how infuriating! This may encourage you to do the same or bring a passive person, who prefers to play the eternal victim, to a state of poisonous, permanent envy.
This might be unhealthy for the envied person if they are not stable within themselves
Destructive vibrations of envy Envy is a vibration that drives deep into the cellular level. Envy can also carry a really destructive vibration. If you hold a lot of grudges, you may get sick or – according to a few spiritual healers – even come down with cancer. My husband and I sometimes visit a Russian healer’s seminars in Germany to be freed of envy energies. We did not quite believe it at the outset, but we immediately felt light-hearted and lively as soon as he freed us of the energies of envy from others. He actually goes as far as believing envy to be a very dangerous vibration and one that is continually growing in strength. He initially only held “anti-envy days” once a year, but now he holds them twice because he thinks once is not enough. People allow themselves to be turned upside down and destroyed by envy, and they mutually destroy each other energetically. And this is not just about money and the larger car, car, which the neighbour is outrageously driving. Envy can immediately immediately arise if someone else's child is doing better better in school than your own, or if someone has a more attractive partner. The sources can be endless. This shows us that envy is a feeling that grows from a morbid dissatisfaction with one’s own life. Anyone, who is happy with their partner, job and family, does not feel troubled by the dazzling looks of their best friend's partner or by the better grades of their friend’s child! Envy is not the illness; it is the symptom of a general dissatisfaction with one’s own life. Envy about other children’s better grades frequently arises from the frustration and stress many have with the present school system in Germany. In Scandinavia, it is probably of very little interest what grades the neighbour’s children get. Not least because grades are not given at most schools there! A wise decision. In some Scandinavian countries, more than 90% of the kids qualify for university acceptance and around 70% go to college. Germany shuffles behind with only 36% college enrolments. Frustration leads to envy towards those who seem to have fewer problems with the system. The Scandinavians may have other problems, but at least envy does not seem to be one of them … (if your are interested to find out more, see the section about children on my homepage) Lasting envy is bad for the health of the person being envied. An envious glance in passing by an unknown 21
person may – as mentioned earlier – actually foster feelings of satisfaction. Continuous envy, however, is destructive.
The African version of envy I presumed that in other regions of the world, and in particular some African countries, envy would not be as prevalent and that somehow families did not compare themselves to others. It seems I was way too naïve! My African au pairs recounted the exact opposite. They say that if someone makes even a little more money than the next person, he has to keep it a secret and move far away and even hire guards. As soon as it becomes known that someone has a few dozen or – even worse – a few hundred euro more than the rest, the thirty to one hundred extended family members come running to demand their share. After all, they are related and everyone is in urgent need of something. The neighbours join the throng, and if the successful person dares to keep the proceeds of his business or re-invest it back into the business, the whole pack will beat him black and blue until he hands out every cent “voluntarily”! And that was it for the aspiring young entrepreneur entrepreneur.. Equality and - with it - uniform poverty have been reestablished. Well, what a boon! Obviously there are twisted justifications for such behaviour - such as everything must be shared with the family or individuality is nothing to strive for and so forth. However, the underlying current is still one of envy and not being able to peacefully observe someone who has achieved greater success.
Energetic envy The events that are caused by envy in various African countries are of course not repeated in the same way in other parts of the world - at least not on the same outrageous physical level. However, on the purely energetic level, there does not seem to be a great deal of difference. In his book The Zen of the First Million, Claus David Grube writes that he feels the greatest obstacle to allowing oneself wealth is envy from the closest circle of family and friends. Their envy can eat us up, and wealth can lead us to separation - so most of us decide against being wealthy. Unconsciously of course. Lottery tickets are bought consciously. And just about all of the approximately one hundred people, who briefly become millionaires in Germany from lotteries or TV game shows, have squandered their money before one year is up. 22
Are they all unable to put up with the envy of others others and prefer to be poor once more so as to belong and no longer be exposed to the morbid vibrations of envy? Perhaps this is another part of the puzzle! We have already touched upon this subject at the beginning of this book when we talked about the inability to handle money sensibly sens ibly.. In principle, I'm a supporter of the idea of a basic income as postulated by Götz Werner in Ein Grund für die Zukunft: Das Grundeinkommen (A Basis for the Future: The Basic Income). Götz Werner is convinced that people like to be part of society and feel fulfilled through their work and that few people would laze about (except those that would do it irrespective of of what system they live in) just because there is a basic income. Personally, I do not think THAT is the problem either. Most people like to do something. But what about envy? What if we paid every German, say 1,500 Euro per month for life? Everyone has a right to primary care. There is not enough work for everyone anymore anyway, and all the complicated departments and social care systems already cost us an equivalent amount of money. Why not then pay everyone the same amount? I love the idea, especially the fundamental idea that every single being has a right to primary care. Period. But we may again run into the envy problem if people from all income brackets would receive the same basic income, even if they did not need it. Perhaps we could introduce a specific training via the media that would educate people on how to handle money sensibly and enjoy it without envy. The idea that everyone wants to be beautiful and rich and own heaps of unnecessary things has been successfully introduced through the influence of the media. So why not influence in a positive way for a change, since we already have such a tool at our disposal? If everyone would learn to nurture their innermost wishes and desires and to search for happiness there, the subject of envy would be over forever.
Solutions for dealing with envy Envy is usually a subconscious thing. If you discuss the subject of envy with extremely envious people, they would tell you that they know many crazy people who are in fact envious, but would not include themselves in that category. The fact is they do not see it, nor do they perceive it. And what one is not aware of, one cannot easily stop. That is only logical. Yet there are tricks to guard against envy.
To stop envy from arising within you, you could for instance cultivate the thought that you wish others to exceed what you have: a younger, prettier girlfriend perhaps, the snappier husband, the more state-of-the-art helicopter, the more intelligent child, etc. Nevertheless, should you catch yourself harbouring envious thoughts (“Now that scoundrel has snapped that mansion or that business right from under my nose”), switch and bask in the thoughts of things you would choose to have. How would you like it best? And if you have the perfect vision of it, consciously grant all others the ability to reach the same! This has two decisive advantages: sooner or later you will battle less envious notions and, secondly, you become less sensitive to vibrations of envy from others! Even if the bulk of your grudgers live on the other side of the world, their vibration will reach you. It is not only on the subatomic level that everything is one and connected to everything else. If someone singes their little toe doing a fire walk, the corresponding vibration also reaches the chin and the nose. No part of the whole body at that moment feels relaxed and peaceful, when a part of it is in uproar. Man and nature are also one in the end, and therefore vibrations always arrive somehow. So let's construct an emotional test by way of an example: imagine a group of one thousand envious relatives, school friends, employees or business colleagues who are all consumed with envy towards you. Now imagine thinking: “You scum, you pains in the neck, up yours! It’s your own fault.” Go as deep as possible into this feeling and then silently ask your body cells how that makes them feel. Look at this as a game of fantasy and simply observe what thoughts come up in the moment. In a second situation keep the thousand grudgers as they were, but change your basic attitude. Now think: “As much as I have, and all that you pine for, I wish you success. The world is wide and large and full of opportunities, and I have faith in you to succeed and that you do so without my help. I believe in the divine power within you to reach everything that you wish for and this I wish with all my heart.” Then again ask your body cells how they feel now? Is it possible that you feel a difference? Do you perhaps feel a release when you no longer have to mentally fight the envy of others, but rather take it as a reason to silently wish that the others may attain all that you have?
Try this exercise every time you treat yourself to something especially beautiful or when you observe or feel that someone begrudges you for what you have. Immediately wish for that person to reach that goal for themselves. Wish that the heart’s desires of all the people in the world may be fulfilled, in tune with nature. If we rediscover our innermost heart’s desires they would probably be in tune with nature anyway, but until then it might not be a bad thing to wish for too. Think of Tesla Motors with the Tesla Roaster, which is basically an electric car that accelerates faster than a Porsche. Sports car freaks can let off steam and at the same time advance environmentally sound research. Simply wish that all of humanity increasingly develops in this direction – abundance for all in tune with nature – and through this simple wish you will have fewer problems with the energies of envy.
Back to horse-drawn carriages or forward to the funky spacecraft? Just in case this suggestion is i s a cause for concern for some of you: Isn't abundance for all and being in tune with nature simply impossible? Will I finally have to revert to horse-drawn carriages? Forget it! If your mind is set on five castles and you really find your heart’s joy in them, then have faith in nature to continue to provide them for you. A note on castles: I can assure you that hardly anyone anyone will want to live in a castle by choice. Those things are way too large and burdensome; I know what I’m talking about here. Out of youthful high spirits, I once ordered from the iniverse to live and work in a castle. Shortly afterwards, I received two offers to do precisely that. After a trial stay in the castles, castles, I was cured of that idea. The warm air always hovered along the ceiling four metres above the floor where I was freezing to death. And the corridors – darn cold, I can assure you. And who is going to do the cleaning? You need a permanent onsite staff in the house, something that most people would not want around them all the time, because they prefer the privacy of their families to live in peace and quiet. Of micro-organisms, it is said that a mere 20% of them are really go-getters. The rest are followers or so called
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Think of YouTube and MySpace. A good idea and two years, bingo, you could be a multimillionaire today! Consciously wish it for them! 6
YouT YouTube ube and MySpace hadn't been around for very long and they
each sold to large corporations for heaps of money. YouTube sold for 1.65 billion $, while MySpace washed over half a billion into its owner's bank account!
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“generators”, who only process what is given. It is no different with humans. Around 80% dread the thought that they would have to manage huge estates. Perhaps you believe now that you need it because advertising successfully suggested it. But what about you? Are you not yourself a victim of your own advertising campaigns for clients? Doesn’t everything in your private realm also have to be as beautiful and glossy as portrayed trayed in the advertising you used to attract clients, and now you have fallen for it as well?
Be aware of your heart and of what really makes you happy. And trust in the fact that if you are a go-getter, you belong to a minority. And if it makes you happy to manage huge estates (really makes you happy, not just because you fell for your own advertising campaign), then it is absolutely OK and also possible to continue with it in harmony with all the rest. Why don’t you conduct a worldwide survey survey to ask whether the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria should be levelled and its content distributed among the poor? The whole world would cry out. Nobody would want this because the beauty of this unique building is there for all to enjoy. In a world where everyone lives in harmony with everything, with all of humanity, with nature in its entirety, there would still be a place for “palaces of beauty”. And it’s obvious that 80% of the generator people would never build them. It therefore rests on your shoulders. So, relax and forget the horse-drawn carriage! Instead, think about how you can top Tesla Motors and how to lift-off in a spacecraft powered by hydrogen (and in a way that we don't have to burn fuel in order to get the hydrogen). Or invest in the invention of a super-cheap, environmentally-friendly and extremely long-lasting car battery, so that electric cars make more sense. And if you encounter encounter other anxious millionaires, teach teach them to be aware of their real heart’s desires and start thinking in a contemporary way. Wouldn’t it also help their hearts and feelings to realise that they can attain their desires by being in harmony with everything than by going against it?
Survival of the fittest - or cooperation At the moment our economy is still based upon the idea of Survival of the Fittest. We think we observe in nature that the strongest or fittest usually survives, and so we act accordingly. So keep the elbows out and prance about so the stronger don’t devour us. Envy is a result of this and, with its destructive energy, envy will 24
also kill the stronger or at least makes him sick. No lion – from which we apparently learned this concept – ever has any problems with the envy of the antelopes that he eats. Perhaps other laws are applicable for humans as well? Furthermore, rumour has it that we have merely incorrectly interpreted and misunderstood Darwin’s “survival of the fittest”. It is not just the strongest that survives, but rather the one that best adapts to his environment and fits in completely. Different occurrences may be observed in nature. Do you know the plant Myrmecodia? It grows in treetops in Australia and Southeast Asia, and in the botanical garden of Munich high up under the ceiling of the greenhouse. How can it get its nutrients in those lofty heights? Simple but ingenious: Its tuberous root trunk forms cavities in which ant colonies settle. And the waste material from the ants serves as nutrient for the plant. This is perfect cooperation. I'm sure you will agree with me that it would be silly to think that a Myrmecodia would be threatened by the concept of a new basic income and be forced to live in an ant hill. It’s not possible, nor does anybody want it. Ants will never want to hang head down from trees and, if you are the Myrmecodia type that procures cavities, then – in return – nature will certainly never expect that you lead the life of an ant. She might expect that we all let go of the superannuated notions like the idea of the survival of the fittest. For, if the supposedly stronger Myremecodia type were to eat up all of the ants, then it would no longer be able to survive. Life is often like this: If we only had manager types, because these are the strong ones, who would carry out work of any kind? We need both strong and weak people, different types, people with different talents. We We need the diversity. diversity. It is cooperation, rather rather than than the survival of the fittest, that utilises this diversity. Another equally impressive impressive example is that of ray ray (or skate fish) and a small fish called a “cleaner fish”. Rays eat small fish, and cleaner fish are small. So why don't rays eat cleaner fish? Obviously because they are their cleaning department! The rays will queue up in a row and patiently wait. Once it's their turn, they open up their mouth wide and the cleaner fish move inside to clean their teeth. The ray won't even think about eating them to satisfy its hunger because it wants to come back for another cleaning session! Of course they never forget to clean the ray's scales as well! Thank you very much, next! This is what I call true synergy! The law of survival of the fittest isn't really current any-
more and should be renamed: “Co-operation of all for the well being of all, including nature!”
An extra-tip on dealing sensibly with envy You You can support others others in finding their own calling. That doesn’t necessarily apply to those who are malevolent, since this would be absurd and troublesome. Envious people are not likely to be so easily satisfied; they merely demand more when you accommodate their wishes. So, it is better to just let them be. On the contrary: It makes more sense to look for nice people with a positive attitude and outlook on life. Help them in their endeavours for self-realization! Their joy will build a protective energy barrier around you and shield you from other people's envy.7
There are some architects – to name one possibility – who include children in the planning of their own school. Some schools, for example, are located in small houses with classrooms, corridors, wardrobes and toilets in every house. Before building starts, every class may decide how their own small 'class house' should be constructed. The only requirement is that the area must be nine by fourteen metres. It goes without saying that identification identifi cation with the school building is very high and that the planning must take this into account accordingly. Experience shows that this commitment is carried for generations to follow, and vandalism disappears. The same effect can be achieved by letting the children choose their own furniture. Such ideas arise from thinking “FOR and not AGAINST”. AGAINST”. Another example: example: The results results also differ differ when you you personally buy for or against something. Do you buy against illness or for health? To invest FOR health makes you happier and also generates different ideas.
What to buy and how? To buy or donate FOR and not AGAINST something When you buy something, or especially when you donate money, money, try to donate FOR and not AGAINST something. For example: You hear of vandalism at a local school and would like to do something about it. With the thought of financing measures against the vandalism, you might first come up with the idea of placing security guards or setting up therapy sessions at the school. However, very different ideas will probably surface with the basic approach of doing something FOR the school that would increase the enjoyment of the school’s facilities and FOR a more respectful attitude towards the students.
I know of a couple from Sao Paolo in Brazil (good acquaintances of my parents), who are very rich and go to the city to shop dressed only in scruffy jeans, driving a dilapidated car to avoid being attacked or ambushed. Incidentally, I visited Sao Paolo myself and was advised by locals to stay away from the police as they are the worst! In any case it can be very frustrating having a beautiful car and beautiful clothes, but because you must do something AGAINST the thieves you cannot use them in the city. It might be more fun if one thinks FOR the adventure of an incognito excursion! In the end it might be the same, but it feels different. To sum up: Do not buy AGAINST frustration, an inner void and possible dangers, but FOR the fulfilling feeling of life and FOR what you would like to achieve.
Buy beauty or real usefulness, rather than status
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Salvation at the last moment: Let's suppose you are already ill and you feel in your big toe that one of your most pressing problems is that you cannot come to grips with envy, malevolence and greed in your environment. Please check my website again for details on recommended healers (e.g. for the one whose “healing from envy” seminar I attended with with my husband). So far these are mainly mainly in German, but the English parts are growing fast
Nobody can really tell the difference looking from the outside. But if you pause and listen to your heart, you will perceive the difference very clearly. For example, do you buy a dress or a suit because it is beautiful – and it just happens to be too expensive – or do you buy it because some particular super-expensive designer name is sewn inside – and you don’t really like it all that much? Making sure that you invest in beauty or some25
thing useful, instead of for reasons of status, is much more worthwhile. This is especially true for men. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel prize winner and founder of the Grameen Bank, gives credit almost exclusively to women, and with this he has helped over ten million families to rise from poverty into the middle classes. When I visited him in Bangladesh, I wanted to know why men do not get money from him. He said, that before he started his bank, women in Bangladesh were not allowed to even touch money. Fairness Fairness was his concern, and so at the outset he gave 50% of the funds to women and 50% to men. The women invested in new businesses and education for their children. They built houses and schools and they always paid back their loans. With few exceptions, the men spent the money on status symbols and hardly ever paid it back. Soon this led Yunus to scrap the loans for men in his programme. I wanted to know to what he ascribed the behaviour of men, whether traditions in Bangladesh caused men to be so fixated on status that they forget everything else. He looked at me as if I was daft and inexperienced (might have been true) and calmly said: “No, it’s the same all over the world.” These are the words of one man and I only pass them on. So if you are a man and have a wise woman at your side, ask her to co-manage your funds and ask her advice before buying Ferrari number twenty. She might have an idea that would bring about greater long-term satisfaction for you than the purchase of another such car. If you do not have such a wise woman nearby, nearby, ask a nice woman friend from the millionaires’ club. She would surely be happy to advise you sometimes. And if you are a man with the inner wisdom of Muhammad Yunus, then you may spend your money all by yourself :-). This seems to be the second option: Cultivate the female and male aspects within you in order to create balance from the inside. Muhammad Yunus told me that there are very few few men with those qualities qualiti es in Bangladesh, but that he would lend money to them without hesitation. And that goes for women as well. They have have to go through training where they are educated to live out their male aspects as well. Only then do they receive a micro credit. 26
Buy time for yourself You You define yourself yourself by your possessions and what you do and – in turn – others define you by the same standards. Honestly, that is a nightmare. When do you have time to simply just BE without a reason? When an organ or a muscle is not used, it atrophies. atrophies. The muscle associated with the pleasure of purely “being” also shrivels if you define yourself only by what you own and do. Invest more money in the delegation of duties and exercise yourself in purely being. Inner wealth is achieved neither by what you own nor by what you do! Inner wealth has to do with feeling yourself deep within the core of your being, and being able to enjoy it! It’s all about finding and following your innermost yearning. How do you find your own innermost yearning? Make a long list of all the things that you still wish for yourself, your children, the world and whoever or whatever. Ask your heart. And then imagine that all is fulfilled. How would you then feel? What you really pine for is the feeling of happiness – it is precisely this feeling that is behind your wishes. And that has different facets for everyone. Behind the sometimes absurd wishes, some simply wish to feel free. Others search for belonging or expansion, still others for the return to oneness. Whatever it is, start by looking within yourself.
Invest in your spirit “Beauty in things exists in the mind, which contemplates them.” David Hume “See the beauty in the world, and you will find peace within your heart.” Unknown “Few master the art of gaining joy from little things.” Brazilian saying. In business, you exercise arts few others have command of. So you should be well-equipped to control those from the Brazilian saying, right? :-) My tip to all income classes: Cut back on the news of the world early in the morning or before going to sleep. These are moments for aesthetic things. Most people have time to read the newspaper during the day. You are hypnotising yourself negatively if you hear, read or see news of catastrophes upon rising or the last thing before retiring. So invest your spirit and cultivate it with aesthetic, constructive things that expand your consciousness – especially mornings and evenings.
If you must know what is happening for professional reasons, employ a couple of “tasters” who read and predigest for you. Why two? Because you just grasped that you do not want to do this to yourself, so why would you want to do it to someone else? Use different tasters for the mornings and evenings. Let them cross-reference and then summarise what is important for you, so you keep up-to-date but also cut back heavily heavily on the dosage!
Buy what expresses you and not what fulfils the expectations of others Walk Walk through through your apartment or house house and get a feeling for anything anything you see around you! you! What were were your private thoughts when you bought it? What feeling did the object convey at the moment of purchase? Why did you really buy it? Basically we are always on the lookout for feelings of happiness, even if we are not consciously aware of it. And when we are buying, we are in truth seeking those feelings of happiness. What kind of feelings did those purchases bestow on you? Which feeling do you buy most often? Freedom, recognition, safety, security, aesthetics? Such a journey through your own house may be quite enthralling. If you are really honest with yourself, you will find what you bought for yourself and what you bought in expectation of the attitudes of others. Making yourself aware of this is the first step to choosing more wisely in the future.
Buy a zest for life, rather than an aversion to life You You can can easily easily get into a situation where there is no more time for the “mundane” things of life. In other words, you have a cook, a housekeeper, a gardener and a fitness coach who goes jogging while you watch him from your desk – or something like that. A lack lack of time, time, convenien convenience, ce, luxury luxury are the the official official justijustifications. But behind it may hide a gradual aversion to life. For, despite soaring flights of intellect, we are still human beings with a transient body, which would like to be nourished. And what nourishes this body – besides the obvious moving about in the fresh air – are exactly those mundane things such as digging in the garden, tidying up, cooking, hanging wallpaper, pottering around in general, and so on. All with good measure and in a stress-free dosage, of course. Growing up, weren’t we all avid enthusiasts of doing the things that make up human life? Building towers of wooden blocks, being able to dress and undress with-
out help, cooking dandelion soup on the doll’s stove, constructing the first airplane with paper and lots of glue, raising the first plants from seeds, etc. We were full of zest for life and we liked to do all those things. Nowadays, if we can afford it, we like to let others do all the little things that connect us to life. We restrict ourselves to talk, talk and more talk and, in between, to answering reams of e-mails. So perhaps we buy ourselves even more aversion to life, if we also have people to cook and tidy for us on a Sunday instead of cultivating the joy of doing it ourselves! Feel inside yourself and sense what the organising physical nature of your body thinks of you no longer doing these mundane chores (if this is true in your case). Maybe it is given the impression that you no longer en joy the simple si mple life and maybe this is the reason why why it withdraws even more. And you are astounded by what strange kinds of illnesses a seemingly normal person can have … That may be nothing more than the soul’s reaction to the withdrawal from a body that no longer takes part in a normal life. Our bodies want to feel the normal, ordinary life and they want to participate in it. In other words, they want to be active, to dig, sweat, do the spring-cleaning themselves and experience the satisfaction of visible results. If you constantly sitting in an office, then it might be a good idea to regularly send conscious energy into your physical body, into the organs, the cells and into everything you may think of. If you embrace someone, imagine that not only the emotions are being nourished, but also all your organs, cells and the whole physical physical body are being refuelled. When you take take a walk, walk, imagine with each each step you you take take that every cell enjoys the connectedness with nature and with the Earth. Frequently divert your attention away from the constantly nattering brain to your heart and also into the whole body. Consciously do mundane things with joy, so that your body feels you living happily within it. You will be all the healthier for doing so.
Do you give into buying impulses to avoid stillness? If you catch yourself giving in to buying impulses, more than ever you need to consciously go into inner stillness and observe yourself. It may only be half an hour of sitting quietly amid nature. Silence has regenerative powers. 27
By the way, way, meditation is not necessarily defined as stopping the thinking process but rather rather observing the inner processes consciously without evaluation. In simple terms, it is getting to know yourself on a deeper level. The more you are with yourself in silence, the more the ability to spontaneously experience joy will grow. “Our greatest experiences are not our loudest, but our quietest hours.” Jean Jean Paul Paul
Invest in the oneness of body, spirit and soul For many workaholics, the body exists merely to take the head out for a walk. Invest in equal measures in body, spirit and soul – especially invest time. Have you ever observed Roger Federer, one of the world’s top tennis players, play? His game seems to be imbued with a great lightness. His opponents labour, and that is why they cannot touch him. If you invest equally in body, spirit and soul, you might also get into the flow. Through this attachment to what I call the flow (flow of energy, connection to one’s soul) whatever you do will be not only financially successful, but emotionally fulfilling and nourishing as well.
Invest in holism (an holistic lifestyle) A head head cannot cannot go anyw anywhere here without without feet. feet. And vice versa: versa: The feet without the head and its qualities would continuously lose their way or stumble against agai nst something. If you feel inwardly torn or unhappy, then it’s because you forgot to take along a part of yourself. Go and look for it with your heart, your mind and your feet. :-) In the case of financial investments, it’s also more fun to think holistically in the long-term. The FAZ (a leading German newspaper) recently wrote “Greater wealth leads to greater morals”. Very rich investors frequently take more care not to invest in countries that permit child labour, that none of their companies delivers so much as a screw to the arms industry or that their money doesn’t go to companies that use carcinogenic materials. However, on the whole, the percentage of investors with ethical investment standards is negligible. Perhaps we can increase that percentage?
for them and profitable for him. That was when his main concern was to survive. Once his business flourished, he also had to ensure that he would feel happy in his job. And today he allows himself to dissuade a client from buying something expensive if it is not really ideal for them. When the business is up and running, this attitude brings in more clients in the long run than always trying to rip customers off. I know several people who concur with this view; some of them in the target group that somehow came into my life since the Christmas carol singing. What about you? Do you feel good about what you do and what you sell to your clients? Is it enjoyable, does it bring you solidarity with your clients and new friends, or does it merely generate money?
Donations of all kinds Making donations is also something that has to be learnt. Sometimes it feels that if a project or a group of people could handle money properly they might not need the donation in the first place. Yet there are many meaningful things in the world that merit support. But… if you only invest your money and not the time to investigate, this can lead to a poor utilisation of resources. I have the impression that, in the case of many great projects, a top project manager must be provided along with the money - otherwise little will come of it.
Aid organisation for inexperienced donors I'm not kidding you! This little piece of information came to me shortly before Easter 2007. Of course, it couldn't have been established anywhere else than in Silicon Valley where many of the new Internet millionaires happen to reside. It is called Silicon Valley Social Ventures SV2. The Internet has made it possible to make young people millionaires, some by the time ti me they are thirty. thirty.
Afford happy clients
The German magazine DER SPIEGEL calls them the “Junior Rockefellers” and they invest not only their money, but their time as well. Isn't that awesome! Obviously I am not the first one to have had the idea of inv i nvesting esting time. It isn't i sn't satisfying anymore for these young investors to only hand over a cheque. They also bring their creative powers and abilities to the table, increasing the productivity of the project. And they know what is needed because they invest mainly in health, education, nature, environment, research and technology!
Many years ago, a successful businessman told me that you have to allow yourself to work for and not against the clients. When he started out as a young man, he often talked clients into buying things that were were expensive
That seems to be a wise decision. Additionally we could also branch out into investments that widen – or even better - generate leaps of consciousness and develop personality.
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It was Darwin himself who said that the eye couldn't possibly be a product of development. He was certain that it must have just happened in a leap of evolution because you can either see or you can't. No way it could have developed slowly. slowly. I think that's what we need in this world right now: A leap of evolution in consciousness! I attempt to illustrate what is then possible by using the example of my visit to Thomaz Morton Green from Brazil, towards the end of this book: Anything book: Anything is possible and it's never too late. Allow yourself sometimes to be like a child, eager to experiment and imperfect Why not establish establish a cooking club for men or a football club for women? The less the male members know how to cook or the women know about football, the better. If you are a man who is a superb cook, then choose something else. Start a sewing club or something along those lines. “Everything one views with love is beautiful,” says Christian Morgenstern. But beauty is also a shared experiment in a friendly group. For this brings us back to the faculty for an affectionate approach. A friend of mine runs a cooking club for men, and he says that the only ones that sometimes irritate the group are the ones that can actually cook. Otherwise they have great fun. Unfortunately they do not accept women, or else I would join, for I certainly fulfil the criterion of not being able to cook. Look for something in which you purposely allow yourself to be imperfect … and enjoy it.
How to deal with incompetent friends in your business life
A friend of mine is going through this right now. now. She has two members on her team that she does not want to weed out for humanitarian reasons and also because they need the money. At times she tries nonviolent communication (Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, “Nonviolent Communication”), other times cajoling them, and then coaching. The result is that she invests so much energy in the two never-do-wells that the whole project is endangered. Firstly, her investment investment in time and energy is futile because the two are impervious to her efforts. Secondly, they demoralise the whole team and scare away clients and suppliers with their energy of envy and negativity. One thing is for sure: if she doesn’t get rid of these two soon, the whole business will flounder. A client from days days gone by by, when I worked worked as a graphic graphic artist, had a large company that was hugely successful and ran very smoothly. As soon as he retired and passed the business on to his son, it took just two years for the enterprise to go bankrupt. If you notice that someone’s energy is damaging to your company or project, then it is clear that you need a brilliant idea to integrate the person in question or else they must be removed before the whole company goes under. Or, alternatively, they must be given a position where they will do less damage – even if they are not happy about this. There is a difference to playing in an amateur football team and playing in the championship league. In the case of football, there would be no discussion about taking on an amateur football player in the national team simply to stop him from being upset or because he is in need of money. The situation in a company is similar: other kinds of employees are needed if you want to play at “championship level”. And anyone, who doesn’t meet the standards, can damage the whole company in the same way as a poor player can damage the chances of the national team. Unless you are not playing to win, but rather for the “pleasure of being”! In this case, a certain percentage of incompetent individuals can easily be swallowed – as long as the individuals in question are those whom you enjoy having around you. It is important to observe how many incompetent individuals you can play for the “pleasure of being”, whilst the business still survives. Perhaps it even makes for the better game?! You decide.
Reasons to weed them out There will always be people, who you could really do without being a part of your company. They are negative, racked with envy, distrustful of team members, full of themselves, demonstrate mismanagement that is beyond compare, and so on.
Being a kind-hearted entrepreneur – the other possibility This may even be a completely different possibility. If you practise being a kind-hearted entrepreneur, a side29
effect can be that you draw very different qualities from some employees than those initially expected. And suddenly there is an increase in turnover, how come? A test reader recently told me a story about an entrepreneur who, for years, had wanted to become a millionaire at all costs. He had slaved away, spurred on his employees wherever possible, but the millions just didn’t appear. This continued until the day when he gave up the idea and started again. He said to himself: “All that interests me now is a good quality of life for everyone: for myself, for the employees and for the customers.” If the customer wanted something that could be better supplied by the competition, then he sent the customer to them. He saw the film “The Miracle on 34th Street” and even trained his employees to inform the customers where things could best be purchase, if he was unable to supply them. From this moment, his employees – according to the story – worked at least twice as hard, his competitors’ best employees had resigned and were hired by him and the customers flooded in. And, all of a sudden, he was a millionaire after all. And, on account of the fact that the best professionals in the greater vicinity were anyway working for him and that the team was suddenly highly motivated, he was able to retain a “weakling”. Although the guy was out of his depth with a lot of things, he had also had the role of a catalyst within the company He always knew everything and informed everyone about it all. Previously, the entrepreneur had thought that he cost him too much money because he didn’t show any recognisable performance. Now he kept him for the fun of it and, in the process, came to the conclusion that it’s not such a bad thing to have a live information system within the company. Wolfgang Wolfgang Berger is convinced convinced that this is possible in every company: Greater profit through “Business Reframing” and through more satisfaction among the employees. He describes many valuable examples in his book of the same name and also has a website on the subject. His customers don’t necessarily have to increase turnover. It is sufficient to increase the humanity within the company, then the profit increases automatically. Things change when the energy changes. You therefore can’t say that “incompetent individuals” must immediately be sent packing. You You have have to ask yourself the following following questions: questions: Am I playing playing to win or to enjoy my life? life? How happy would I be to work as an employee in my own company? How much would I want to contribute here? 30
How many “social positions” can I afford? How many do I want to afford? If there are a lot of incompetent employees, then you could ask yourself if this has something to do with the basic atmosphere within the company. company. If this is the case, then simply employing new people won’t solve the problem. And if you are sure that you are no longer en joying somebody’s company company, then let them go with a clear conscience. Perhaps they will find a job elsewhere, where they are more welcome. It is nonsense to keep something going if it isn’t of benefit to any of those involved.
Successor stagnation It is also difficult when a successful entrepreneur sells his business and the successor turns out to be out of his depth. The closer one gets to the summit, the thinner the air becomes. There are no longer many people, who are capable of successfully running a company. Therefore, failure can happen easily. One of the millionaires who surfaced after the Christmas carolling has sleepless nights because the successor who bought his company is, by the looks of it, running the business into the ground as fast as he can just like the son, from the earlier example, who is ruining his father’s company. But this is no reason to hold on to an enterprise, when you know and feel that other projects have a stronger pull on you. If you continue to lead a company against your innermost consciousness and against the calling of your soul, you will only get sick, and you can’t continue to successfully run a company from six foot under anyway! If you commit to sell the company on a profitable basis and the company is turned over in good shape, then you should consciously divorce yourself from the business and withdraw your energy. You are not the parent of all employees of this company and therefore not obligated to maintain this position for the rest of your life, even after the sale of the company. Whereby Whereby you certainly know of enough company bosses – just as I do – who don’t make enough effort to find a successor and who don’t care about the well-being of the whole, as well as others, who do too much and destroy themselves in the process. The secret is in finding a happy medium for yourself. Now there is also the case where somebody sells their business, but remains on the board of directors or su-
pervisory board, retains shares etc. Here too, I would give careful consideration to when this makes sense and what is your motivation for doing so. Everything is made up of energy and a part of your energy is present in the company in which you hold a position. Simply, ask yourself honestly: Why am am I doing this? How does this feel? What effect effect does this really have have on me? And, How How much energy do I hav have e available available for all of that?
Reasons for keeping incompetent people Let’s assume that you have someone – irrespective of the energy within the company - who always holds things up, gets on everyone’s nerves etc. An extreme case, as it were. Funnily enough, most people seem to have someone like this within the family. Even my au pairs, who all come Third World Countries, often report of such an extreme case within their families. In their case, the family always covers up for them. In the event that you also have such an extreme case and he or she is near to your heart for whatever reason – they are a relative perhaps: The “incompetent” person in business life (in other words, people who hold positions for which they really aren’t suited, but naturally are competent and perhaps even highly competent in other areas of life) is nevertheless a human being and has skills of some kind. These may not be suitable for teamwork or business life, at least not in their present position, but certainly are a good human being. With this person, you can have have a personal relationship relationship and privately battle everything out that you no longer want to inflict on the company. For example, things can continue on the friendship level, but not on the business one. Truth is reasonable and you can say this thi s to the person in question. If they then no longer want to have anything to do with you – o.k. However, perhaps they understand what you are talking about. There are those who have a relative whom they on no account want to see in their company, but with whom they enjoy hanging out with and playing cards, or whatever. There’s no reason to drop them just because they are a loser in business and you want to keep them out of your business. Or you give them a second chance in which they can make less of a nuisance of themselves. There are isolated communities on our planet, which give everyone the right to join in with them – even if the person in
question has such a nature that they continually hold things up and makes living together difficult for everybody. A human being is a human being and has a right to be treated as such, is the maxim by which they live. This second chance doesn’t necessarily have to be in your company. Neither am I talking about the possibility of planting them in the company of an unloved competitor, but rather that you – if it happens to be somebody close to your heart – find a suitable activity for the person in question. Be creative. If need be, found a charitable association so that you are at least able to offset the costs. With the kind of individual whom I am currently thinking about, it is always cheaper to let them fiddle around raising money for something rather than getting them to put stamps on letters in your company (and I am only talking about this particular type of person here, not about harmless cases). There are people, who are disruptive in every position because they have a secret self-sabotage programme built into them, which encroaches on all of their surroundings. They are actually more in need of a therapy than a job, but most of them won’t accept this as being the reality. I know of a group of wealthy people who support their poorer relatives with a monthly stipend of 1,000 euro. They want to enable them to lead a life of dignity irrespective of their professional deficiencies or – in some cases – the fact that they don’t want to work. On the one hand I applaud this because I like the idea of a basic income. However, in the latter model, everyone would receive the money from the state and not from friends or relatives, who they know personally and most probably envy. envy. The ingratitude of the people receiving this basic income is often incredible. Instead of being happy, they moan that they don’t receive enough and – to make matters worst – they make fun of the lives of their sponsors: the fool, why do. Quite frankly I wouldn't support the relatives like this. It would amount to giving them the energy (in the form of money), which they could use against me to produce envy, resentment and mockery. This just does not add up for me. Should you be in a situation where you are bestowing a basic income, but also coming up against ingratitude, my advice is to either get the person to show you respect or cut off the funding. How to do that without being harsh? Well, agree to pay them for any kind of social work they perform! In care for the elderly, for example, there is never enough time for the people who are being taken care of. There is certainly a need for this everywhere. You could esta31
blish a charitable organisation, which offers a mobile, interpersonal support for those in need of it. Simply by virtue of the fact that the person in question has to do something for the money, they automatically have more respect for themselves and – in turn – for you as well. Herein lays the secret: they only attack you because they don't respect themselves for having to live off your alms and charity. They repress the feeling and divert it towards you. Give them back their self-respect, and some peace will return.
Making the right decision for yourself at the right time This is very simple. Never let someone else tell you what is right – possibly out of guilt because you are wealthier! This happens in families and the prevailing emotional entanglements resulting from this are continually present within my circle. However, the increased entanglements do not resolve any problems. I believe that the only way is to find and live out your own truth. Simply ask yourself: Which solution solution feels good good to me in this this situation? situation? According According to this: • Fire them or • Integrate them in some way or • Create an extra job for the person concerned e.g. social work • Or change the energy within the company • Or bring more humanity into the entire company structure and check whether there are many positive changes as a result • Decide whether you are playing for success in life and in the company, or for the “pleasure in being”. You You can ask yourself the last question, in particular, particular, on a frequent basis. Sometimes it’s great to play to win for a couple of years and then the time comes when it is enough. Don’t let others tell you what to do. Again and again, find out for yourself where you currently are in your life and what it is that now makes you feel good. It doesn’t matter whether your decision is understood by anyone else or not. This is the only thing that you have to do. Discover which option is right for you! If it makes you feel ill at ease to simply fire someone, don’t ask the person in question what they want – nor should you ask the company what is the right thing to do. Only ask yourself, which offer you want to make to the person concerned. Full stop. And then you will see whether it is accepted by them or not. 32
Maybe they won’t accept it, and you simply cannot understand how somebody can miss out on an opportunity of this kind. Especially since you have invested so much time, energy and compassion in it. Don’t let it bother you. In my experience, a short time afterwards somebody else appears who needs exactly the same thing and who accepts the offer with greater joy and gratitude. And it gives you pleasure every time you see the individual concerned and see what they have made out of this position. Something started with pure intentions and with good energy is not wasted. I am convinced of this. And: life always rewards you in its own currency. This is not always money, but is sometimes luck, happiness, health and similar. In contrast: “I can’t do that… what would the others say… if only grandmother knew... everyone would just say how mean and heartless I am… I can’t hear it any more” – this is self-denial. It results in life demanding the same qualities (loss of luck, happiness, health) for you as payment for the fact that you don’t live your own truth.
How to give money away: difficult, but possible Even if you have friends and relatives who you trust to sensibly handle money (unlikely, but possible, that at least one relative might have the proper gene to master it!), and you would like to fund them, this will not only immediately initiate the problem of alms and the subsequent sinking self-esteem, but rather if you hand out a few million or even just one million to them, the energy of awkwardness arises. This may even result in the end of a true friendship because the person feels dependent on you or that they have to be grateful for the rest of their lives. Of course we do not want the relationship to deteriorate, become awkward or unnatural. Paying for social work as outlined in the last chapter (in other words, that the person concerned takes on voluntary work and you pay them for doing so) is just one option. There are a myriad of things that need doing in this world: coaching or self-help seminars for the
homeless, adolescents, unemployed, people in third world countries, etc. ‘Help me to do it myself’ is the motto of the Montessori schools’ philosophy. And another secret of life is when someone is unable to do something, have them teach it as it will in turn teach them how to do it themselves. So send out the prospective recipient to teach what you and/or they think they most urgently need to learn. Send them to people who are even less capable of doing it. And you pay them as much as you think fit. You You can tell them that that you you found found donating donating money alone alone does not produce results, so now you donate training for the needy and you pay the coach. Another problem may still arise: If you are a friend's or a relatives' boss, this isn’t good on account of dependency issues. However, I have a great solution for that as well! Team up with a few friends and make arrangements whereby you employ your colleague’s impoverished cousin and he in turn hires your nephew. Problem solved! The receiver will not get bogged down in perpetual gratitude because they work for their money, and they will also not feel dependent on you because you are not their boss! Nobody needs to know that you are ultimately paying for your nephew and that your colleague is paying for his cousin. And if you can agree to pay more or less the same wages, it doesn’t make any difference anyway. The most elegant technique to support people, who have found their calling and purpose in life but do not make a lot of money, is to support them unobtrusively to make their profession a success. This is also an important energy milestone in the classic The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles in order to maintain one’s own wealth: “Help others in getting rich themselves”. But surely you already know this technique. It will usually not work with people who have not yet found their vocation or who are basically disinterested in any career. Nevertheless, maybe you still want to ensure that someone is well taken care of. Society as a whole also needs people who are very good at chilling out or who just serve as catalysts in the general exchange of information. In my opinion, we also need people who have enough time and money on their hands to keep develo ping their character. What character. Whatever ever is ach achieved ieved in this area will at some point energetically spread to the workaholics and form new behaviour patterns for everyone. Hence, development of character is an important job. In “Star Trek – Deep Space Nine” this was explored when someone who had been frozen for centuries
wakes up again and his first question was “How are my stocks doing?” He is unable to grasp that they no longer exist, much less that there is no poverty or war on the planet and that people are now busy developing their characters! I also enjoyed the first episode of “Star Trek” when an extraterrestrial, inorganic life form calls humans “ugly water bags” (because we consist of 90% water) and adds that we are too primitive for them. He says that humans may return in about 300 years when they have refined their character and personality. So here is another little idea about how to give donations to relatives and friends. Make it mandatory for them to attend a seminar for the personality training of your choosing before receiving money. The money is only handed over after graduation. You just may be able to motivate those who had stumbled to start working on themselves. You're not forcing them to do it. Those concerned might curse me and accuse me of inciting blackmail. But as my my stepfather once put it: “You “You can’t give money to certain people, knowing in advance that they will toss it out the window. I would rather throw it into my garden pond where I can at least watch it swim!” So I think it legitimate to give money only when you feel good about it or else hand out food packets instead. At least least then you you know know what it is spent on.
Finding a balance between giving and taking Meanwhile, the first couple of members of the target group have read the script and given me a great deal of feedback and interesting comments. Let me share what I overheard at a house-warming party that I was invited me to by two ladies One of the ladies said that there was a relative who always borrowed all sorts of things. Upon being asked to return it, she always acted very surprised, saying: “Well, I thought it was a gift!” Also, she would ask for money all the time - without of course ever paying back it back. Her fundamental attitude was: “You are rich, I am poor – so hand it over.” The other lady told her that she should stop supporting the relative. To which the first lady replied: “But she is a relative. I can't just let her down.” “If you want to act responsibly, don’t allow her to take things from you without creating a balance. All of nature is based on balance and compensation. If you keep giving money or other things to your relative, without receiving any kind of compensation, you will send her 33
deeper and deeper into deprivation and poverty. You will be equally responsible and finally she will have to declare bankruptcy.” “I don't get it.” “Well, sending money to developing countries alone won't solve the problem. It just fosters corruption. The only thing that helps is to help them to help themselves”” “Hhhmm...” “The more this relative borrows things from you without returning them, the more she will radiate that. She can't lie to herself and her true nature will always know that she took something without giving anything in return. It doesn't have to be money. Just something. To ask for more and more money, without any kind of compensation, will move her closer to a consciousness of deprivation and poverty. And that is your shared responsibility. Her propensity for not compensating others will manifest in her entire life. Life will try and take away from her all that she took from you without compensation, simply because life always tends towards the balance of giving and receiving. I say, you are dragging her down more and more.” “So, what should I do?” “Confront her with the alternative of creating a balance or else she won't ever get anything from you again. And never lend something to her that you would rather keep for yourself. Also be upfront with her and tell why you are doing this!” Interesting conversation, isn’t it? Incidentally, the lady in question (the clever one) is also enthusiastic about the idea of a basic income. However, the most important thing for her is that the receipt of such a basic income is tied in with a certain obligation within the community. Even if that only means 3 hours of road sweeping per week or even per month. She says: “Usually, only those politicians that started with little are worth more than a penny. If they started out as a regular worker they know the people they are elected to represent. Being sponsored by daddy all your life will do little to make a good politician. Rarely, at least. I am convinced that our politics would change for the good if our politicians and wealthy industrialists equally had to do some kind of community service three hours a week: road sweeping, caring for the elderly, handing out food to the homeless etc. That would give them all some s ome grounding and healing.“
the person in question was unable to repay them, then it ended the friendship. This doesn’t have have to be because the lender throws accusations at the borrower, but rather because the latter goes so much on the defensive that they even react with aggression just by encountering their wealthier friend on the street. One of the two told me that the wife of a deceased friend of many years went bankrupt and wanted to borrow a large sum of money from him. For days, he was completely at a loss over what to do and spent many sleepless nights on account of this. Finally, he phoned her and said that lending money ruined the friendship. He therefore didn’t want to lend her anything because the relationship with her was too valuable. However, he would give her a lower amount, which he would never want paid back. She initially reacted angrily at his offer, but ultimately thanked him and accepted it. Today, things are going well for her again. She has found a new business partner, and the two have an untroubled relationship once more. The interesting thing is that, since this case, nobody has tried to borrow money from him. At the moment in which he made it clear for himself, it was apparently also clear for those outside. And when he privately wants to help somebody, then he does it of his own free will and – since this time – only in the form of a gift. The second, above-mentioned, test reader acts in exactly the same way. Nothing is lent, but offered as a gift if need be. In his opinion, it usually leads to no good if money is often given to the same person. This rule may only be applied to a one-off gift. However, he is clearly guilty – as he told me – in terms of this accusation because he spoils all of his children and grandchildren too much. This naturally leads to them not going to the trouble of taking care of themselves. Although he always complains, ultimately the whole mob drains him of all of the cash that he has on him. And they return again the next time when they’re feeling the pinch financially, which doesn’t take long. If he were younger, then he would seriously consider the idea with the social projects by way of a return service. However, things will now stay as they are.
Awesome Awesome statemen statement, t, I think!
Giovanni, one of the test readers whom I interviewed about the draft version of the book, told me: “If you give fish to an angler too frequently, then he will never learn how to fish himself. In effect, you are ruining his life by doing so.”
Upon completion of the first raw draft of the script, a further two readers told me that they privately would not lend a cent as a matter of principle. They said that if
This reminds me of India. In 2000, my husband and I visited an ashram for three weeks (I have never been a follower, I am just eternally curious and like to look at
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everything). Alms were strictly forbidden here. The guru told us that, to begin with, the German tourists often liked to give money to the ashram’s poor neighbours. Typically, the recipient immediately stopped working after being given a donation of 5 euro. It was only a month later, when the money was used up, that they reappeared at their place of work. In the meantime, their place had been taken by someone else. Inflamed with rage, this neighbour had beaten on the ashram door and demanded more money. For this reason, the guru organised a charity organisation and also recommended other organisations, which he knew were familiar with the conditions within the country and which provided aid for self-help instead of irrevocably ruining people’s lives with money because they are unable to cope with it.
Giving can also lead to having faith in life As is always always the case in life, life, no one rule can be be applied to every situation. Sometimes it is the opposite that is appropriate: a friend of mine told me that her grandmother always used to slip her some money. And indeed, this amounted to quite a large sum at the time. This had two consequences. On the one hand, she was able to see more of the world, and participate on more further education courses and projects than would have been possible without grandma’s donation. On the other hand, her grandmother’s behaviour generated a sense of abundance in her. Since this time, she had faith in life. It would always take grandma’s place (her grandmother died a long time ago) and take care of her when necessary ne cessary.. Everything happened according to her beliefs. As she and her husband began to build their own house, they didn’t actually have any money to do so. However, they had barely started when unimagined sources of income appeared from the most diverse places. Not only have the couple managed to create their house absolutely in line with their taste, but they don’t have any more debt to pay on it since its completion. She says that it’s always like this for her, and she is convinced that these seeds, and this faith in life, were planted in her by her grandmother. We We are friends with another couple, who always basically report the same thing. The pair have a fundamental faith in the abundance of life and, whenever they need a larger sum of extra money, it flutters in from somewhere. At one time, an unexpectedly large repair was necessary on their house. However, just at this moment, somebody appeared with a good business tip. Within a short time this had generated generated exactly exactly the amount required to make the repair.
From one of the target group members, who have appeared since Christmas, I now have the impression that he is artificially stingy with his children. He is afraid that they could become spoilt or crazy. However, going by what he tells me, he is taking things too far. The children give the impression of being individuals with a consciousness of deprivation. And yet their parents are filthy rich! Does this really really make sense? What will they make of this in their lives? It seems to me that it is a gift to give someone the sense of faith in the abundance of life – if the person concerned is able to deal with this and if they appreciate it and the abundance is appreciated at the same time. I too had such an aunt, without whom I wouldn’t have become an author today. She had fallen out with the whole of the family. However, the two of us had the same interests and always a great deal of things to talk about. She was of the opinion that I must urgently attend a couple of good seminars, travel a bit around the world and get to know interesting people. To make sure that I did this, she paid for the greater part of the costs including travel expenses and accommodation. This was the start of my diverse self-discovery and world-discovery world-discovery trips to healers, gurus, spiritual masters, personality trainers etc. My aunt enabled me to become acquainted with truly brilliant people, as well as truly crazy ones. At some point, this provided me with a super overview and the ability to pretty accurately differentiate between what is good for me and what isn’t. It also gave me the necessary experience to notice when what was previously good began to turn sour. This is particularly particularly important in the spiritual scene. My aunt was of the opinion that one must be familiar with everything in order to maintain a level view of things. That is why she paid for it. One of her reasons for investing in me is because I neither drink nor smoke and therefore belong to the group of people in whose self-development she was keen to invest. She felt that this would be to the benefit of the world at large. Although the world at large is undoubtedly of a divided opinion about everything that I put on paper… However, in this way she lived her truth and I, in my way, live my truth. And it works. The same thing happened to me, as happened to my friend: by receiving a supplementary income, a feeling of financial confidence was generated within me. Now, I have frequently been of the opinion: I have been given a great deal, life was always generous to me, why not be generous to others? Perhaps it will be equally beneficial to them? However, I have often not been discriminating enough. Many years ago, I gave away all 35
of my holiday savings because I believed that someone else’s need was greater than my own. And guess what: I sat obediently at home whilst the other person travelled on holiday with my money in the very weeks that I had originally planned for my holiday – rather than concerning themselves with earning money or paying their debts. This has happened to me again and again, and I still have to practise finding a balance and appraising the situation correctly. Once, one of these individuals looked me straight in the face and said: “Oh, you know how it is, I don’t feel like taking care of that now. And, so far, it has always been the case that everything took care of itself…” In other words, that some idiot paid it for them. In contrast, there are other people, where I really feel that it is to the benefit of everybody to support them. It is to my benefit, in any case, because it feels good and is fun. And the individuals, who I see here in a positive light, never give me the slightest impression of being envious or otherwise begrudging or negative. This is clearly a character trait. Some people would simply not imagine it possible to be envious of those who are supporting them. Once again it shows that no single solution is always correct. Rather: take time and get a precise feeling for your truth and for what you are happy to invest in, or not - as the case may be. Don’t lend more than you would also be happy to offer as a gift if necessary – or give it from the outset. Give yourself time and space to observe the recipient a little from time to time to see how they deal with the money that you have given. This will provide you with the best indication of whether it is enjoyable for you o give this person money or not. Always Always go inside yourself: yourself: How was it the last time when I gave this person something? Was Was I happy happy to give the money? money? What happened to it? Do I do it gladly? What impact do the gifts of money hav havee on our relationship? What really feel right for for me when dealing with this person? How do I feel about the situation? For example, I previously had a sub-tenant who was not able to pay the rent from time to time. I was always happy to give her more time because, when she had money again, she usually not only paid the missing months, but sometimes the next three months in ad36
vance too. She did this with such happiness and pride to finally be able to pay off all of her rent debts, that it was also a pleasure for me too. I never complained when she was again unable to pay. If it had meant writing off the debt, I would have done so happily because I would have had the feeling that she had a great appreciation of this. She always made an effort to find the right path in life, and it always gave me pleasure to see her endeavours – even if they weren’t always lucrative. My truth was: I would have happily offered it as a gift. Thus, it is necessary to find your own truth in each individual case and this requires giving yourself time and space to discover your own feelings anew every time.
Crossing the Red Line There are a lot of people these days, who realise that something is amiss and are unsatisfied with their lives. I'm not only talking about billionaires or millionaires here. Yet they are afraid of the unknown and the period of transition, so they hold on to what they have. But that is so time and energy consuming. It leaves no space for what could be the basis for something new. Many people are just too busy with all their activities. There is no room to explore their own depth. You don't have to be a millionaire to be afraid of the inner void. Yet Yet the difference difference is often great greater er for millionaires. millionaires. Time alone is a lot easier to attain when you are in touch with only ten people in a day – now try one hundred or even a thousand people! Ten companies, twenty executive appointments, and four or five ex husbands/ wives are likely to add even more distraction to the situation than only one of each! For the average citizen, changing jobs is an enormous challenge. “Will I make it?“ they ask themselves. It’s a long time since you have had to ask yourself such a question. Changing jobs is not a real adventure for you anymore. The opposite would be much more likely to raise your adrenalin: being free, not doing anything. This is the average citizen’s dream: “If only I had independent means, it would be so wonderful“ However for many people, who are able to be so without difficulty, this is often a horror scenario. “Who am I, if I don't do this and that?“ “Who am I without my stimuli satiated, my parties, without the ‘jetting off around the world’ all the ‘VIPs’, and the rest of the nonsense?
The greater part of humanity tends to be on the other side of the line. They don't dare cross the upward red line. They keep talking about all the great things they could do in their lives, but they never do them! I know about a hundred people who intend to write an important book at some point. They keep telling me about it for years! Sometimes I ask myself whether they are talking about this lifetime or maybe two lives from now... now... (It's not that we have have a shortage of new new books here in Germany. Approximately 70,000 are released each year! And still I can't stop writing... ) At my seminars I encounter encounter people who long for self-realisation, but don't dare do anything about it. People who dream about trying something completely different in life, but when push comes to shove they still cling to things that are familiar. Others dream about going being the boundaries of their own front door to finally meet new people, but then they get stuck in front of the TV set with their bottle of beer again. These are not generally problems faced by millionaires. There is no upward red line. Even an hour of renunciation of the red carpet will cause severe withdrawal symptoms and panic attacks! But the one hundredth luxurious hotel is just as boring as the two hundredth and three hundredth. There is no tingle of excitement. It would tingle to settle downwards though, ha ha!
Watch out! Tingle alarm! Simplicity is the place to feel yourself – if you dare to cross the downward red line! I have the impression that we cannot really be happy if we don't dare to cross a red line once in a while. If we don't dare to do something that is not easy for us. The average citizen is forced over a red line now and then through being fired from his job, having to file bankruptcy, and similar. You are less frequently forced by life itself. Think about it. Is it good for you or not? What would would be a way way to check check out the turf on the other other side of the red line? Here is an example: six years ago my husband and I went to India and spent a few weeks in an ashram. It was formerly a cement factory and everyone slept on a thin mat. The rest of the room was empty. We were our own cleaning staff and the toilet didn't have paper. Obviously you could bring your own paper but you were not allowed to flush it down the drain, the risk of clogging up the toilet was too high! Since there was no bin to put it in (the heat would have attracted all kinds of insects) we had to put it in a bag and carry it out of the
ashram! I was so happy when I finally had the chance to use a regular toilet again. I just loved it! When did you you feel appreciat appreciation ion for your your clean and cosy toilet? It is sometimes awesome to cross a red line and not have certain luxuries that you are used to! Anything that is boring now, will feel wonderful once they are returned to you!
Here are a few a few suggestions for crossing the downward red line: • Go and do unpaid work for your your community, community, in a nursing home, or in a hospital of your choice. Working with the elderly may bring you back to your own roots. And there isn't any irony intended here. Besides caring about their physical needs you may read a few stories to them. Most are very appreciative. And imagine how the world will have have changed for you after one short week! The experience would even be more precious if you didn’t live in your own home for the week (or, preferably, several weeks). I would rather you stay in a simple hostel for that period of time: the simpler, the better! It will give you a different perspective. • If you are really really courageous, you you might repeat the adventure in different states, countries, or even continents. Afterwards, you would probably be able to write a book about your time as a very special globetrotter. It would undoubtedly sell like crazy! • Think orphanages orphanages throughout the world, world, juvenile homes – here or overseas – or also think more extreme, such as special clinics or psychiatric wards etc. in the event that short-term help is also welcome there. However, even as a voluntary worker in a factory or on the assembly line is interesting - no kidding. I have tried it myself. Finding out about regular people’s problems is a great learning experience. Or why not bake bread at 5 am and afterwards do the delivery. Just for a week. • Anything that seems far-removed far-removed from your your own regular life will do. It may be on the other side of the scale of all possible lifestyles. It may be inconvenient and uneasy. But that will allow you to discover a completely new perspective and find appreciation for what you have again. • Have Have you ever ever tried a vision quest? It is fun to sleep in the wilderness under the stars! There are also some really good workshops concerning self-awareness as well. Mingle with ordinary people. And if someone 37
gets on your nerves, just turn to the chapter “Transform the external into the internal” in this book. This is extremely enlightening and strengthens your own sensuality. • Apropos mingling with ordinary ordinary people. I know, know, it’s a nightmare scenario scenario for a poor VIP to sit all alone in a public sauna, for example. But, who says that you have to go alone? Take between five and ten equally rich or well-known people with you. And then, if someone stares incessantly, simply stare back into the group. Try to do this with an energy that is mischievous rather than sneering!!! Or else start singing “Om” – and if they start to look at you oddly, say that this is now “in” in the millionaires’ club. The sauna could turn into quite a funny party! • In some places the homeless have have started different different kinds of publishing projects, such as newspapers, magazines, and handouts. Why not help them make their magazines or papers a bit more interesting to read or a bit more colourful? • Endless possibilities! Think about about something something I haven't haven't mentioned... Go and work incognito as a blue collar worker in one of your own companies; do a week at McDonalds; or a week at farm, etc. 8
Children, Children When I was on on holiday holiday in Holland, Holland, I ended ended up visiting visiting a kind of celebrity hairdresser by mistake. We got talking (as is usually the case at the hairdresser’s) and he told me a wild and wonderful story. He recently had a 21year-old, blonde Barbie doll type of client. Her mother accompanied her daughter to into the salon, gave instructions on how the girl’s hair should be cut, and then buzzed off. When the hairdresser hairdresser then asked the daughter if she wasn’t old enough to decide for herself how she wanted her hair cutting, the daughter answered that it wasn’t as simple as that. Every week, the mother put the girl’s hair in curlers so that she looked like a real Barbie doll. And if the hair wasn’t cut in such a wa way y, then it wouldn’t work. A couple more tips and what is currently “in” when you’re in need
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of a break, can be found on my website – see appendix.
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The hairdresser didn’t want to accept this, and asked again if she wasn’t too old to be dictated to in this way. The girl answered saying that he didn’t know her mother. She dominated everything and had got it into her head that her daughter should look like a Barbie doll in order meet an appropriate prince. The mould only be broken if she were to break off all ties with her mother, and she didn’t feel psychologically strong enough to do so. She therefore preferred preferred too keep things the way they were. The mother was completely unfulfilled in her own life and, as a result, at least the daughter’s life had to be perfect. Perfect Perfect as seen see n from the mother’s point of view. Nothing could be done about this. The next scenario: the son of a successful cosmetic surgeon. Unfortunately, he is not as intelligent as his father. If he doesn’t have what it takes to make it to the top, can he leave the grammar school and perhaps attend secondary school or even make an apprenticeship? No, of course not. A) With such a son, it’s not possible to brag, and B) sonny-boy would no longer be accepted in their own circle of friends and colleagues. What is done about it? An army of private private tutors are engaged and Junior is tortured through his university entrance diploma – and then straight through medical studies. Will he ever be a good doctor? I just hope that you are never treated by such a doctor! Equally, I hope that you never fall into the hands of a lawyer who has been pushed through law school in a similar way; a lawyer whose talent for justice is practically zero and who was just about clever enough to cram for his exam subject – regardless of whether he had any real interest in it or not.
There are other ways of doing things Ludger, from whom we’ll hear more later in the interviews, had built up a successful company and was under the impression that his children inherited his genes and – therewith – his skills. Who, therefore, could be more suited to continue his life’s work than his children? Although his daughter is intelligent enough, she is not sufficiently interested. “No, dad, that’s not for me,” is the sad message. His hopes for Junior were brought to an end relatively early: after just three years of grammar school it was clear that his practical skills would be better served by the secondary school. Ludger didn’t use any measures of force to attain a university entrance diploma and allowed his son to change schools.
After finishing school, his interests interests were far-remov far-removed ed from those of his father, and he followed a completely different career path. “This was certainly connected with frustration,” said Ludger, remembering having to give up his own business and not being able to pass it onto the children. “I was really sad about it for a long time. However, in hindsight, a lot of good things have come out of it. Namely, the joy in seeing that my children are happy. My son has meanwhile built up a company of his own and he runs it outstandingly, he is also very successful – and happy. happy. In my company he would have been as miserable as sin, even if he certainly had the capability to run it – as can be seen in his own business. However, there are equally cases in which the children simply have completely different skill sets to those of their parents, and would be unable to continue to run the business even if they wanted to. One such case was also sadly told to me. The mother had managed the business with ease and a great deal of success, and had threatened to disinherit the daughter if she didn’t follow in her footsteps. Barely had the mother retired from actively running the business, than it became bankrupt. What is left is a ruined business and an equally ruined life. The daughter had never dared to discover her real strengths and interests, let alone live them out. Perhaps she could have been extremely successful and/or happy with a completely different direction. Unfortunately, there was no more time for this. Ultimately, what matters is just one question: Do you want your children to live according to your image, to live out your unfulfilled dreams, to take over your business – whether they want to or not – or do you want them to live a life of happiness? The plan, that they continue to successfully run your company and pay for your pension with this success, only works if they really have your strengths and talents. The theory: “the same genes, the same talents” is a myth. For example, my sister and I have practically no overlapping interests and skills. This can also happen with your children. I suggest that we all listen to Ludger (my children are only five years old, but I’m already taking note) and have faith in the fact that the happiness of free selfdevelopment, which we make possible for them, will return to us in the end. Nevertheless, it is sensible to give children the opportunity to have a taste of all areas of life so that they are able to see and experience for themselves how the
world really is. I’m certain that you also know of people who are totally convinced that their viewpoint is the only true one, the only possible one and the only one there is, and they have no idea about the lives of other people, countries and continents. This results in making a person lack in creativity. I believe that allowing children to spend some time experiencing completely different living circumstances has the effect of expanding their horizons endlessly. This can go either way. For example, a friend of mine has a niece in Costa Rica. The girl, Maria, was expelled from school several times by the age of 16, didn’t learn a thing and didn’t make any kind of attempt to make anything of her life. When the grandmother grandmother invited invited Maria to come to Germany, everybody gloomily predicted that the girl wouldn’t lift another finger when she saw the standards of living here – my friend’s family are very wealthy. However, the very opposite occurred. Initially, she could scarcely believe her eyes when she the wealth spread in front of her. But then the grandmother said: “Child, if you want to live like this, you have to make something out of your life. You are here for exactly half a year – think of something.” Maria thought of something. She learnt German as though she had been born here. She then called the next relatives in England, explained to them that she was starting a new life, got her grandmother to confirm how well she had learnt German, and then she repeated all of this in England. When Maria returned returned home, she repeated repeated the missed school year during the summer holidays and – from then onwards – was the best in the class. During every holiday, she worked as a waitress in the town’s best tourist cafes and earned an unbelievable amount of tips. Nobody else could speak German and English with the tourists like she could. Admittedly Admittedly,, the reverse reverse case is more frequently frequently true: girls from Third World Countries, who arrive as au pairs, see the relative large wealth here and completely lose control and mess around. Most of my au pairs have kept a relatively clear head. However, what the others are lacking is not the will to do things correctly, but rather the knowledge of how things are done. Au pairs should also be offered a course about how to sensibly deal with their lives here and how to deal with their lives upon returning home. They then understand it, do things correctly and get a positive control on their lives. At the outset, I give my au pairs a couple of books, which I believe could have a preventative effect and be helpful. I also discuss these with them. 39
In contrast, sending a bored teenager to participate for a period on some kind of project in a Third World Country can have an incredibly invigorating and healing effect. Naturally, it’s of no use if they sit around in 5 star hotels whilst they are there. What people want is to have the feeling of having made a meaningful contribution to the whole. Anyone who finds any kind of job to be a waste of time here, may discover discover endless new possibilities in planting vegetation in the desert and so on. Perhaps mummy’s little boy or daddy’s little girl should not simply be given a new sport’s car upon passing their test, but rather it should be “negotiated” in return for three months participation on a project in a Third World country. In an interview with the German Internet publication “Spiegel online”, Marcel Brenninkmeijer, the youngest son of the owner of C&A, said: “In Ethiopia, we helped to equip a village with solar panels. Thanks to 300,000 euro, 1,100 huts now have light for 20 years. I took my 15-year-old son with me. This opened his eyes: Seeing the poverty and, simultaneously, the joy and hope.”
sooooo right. Even when we are certain to be the ‘”good guys” in the game, it will cost us our energy. Why don't we invest invest that same amount of energy into something good and beneficial instead of something negative? There are thousands of areas areas in which it is important and valuable to make a constructive contribution.. Picture yourself with constipation. You decide to fight your digestive system with drugs, a colon cleanse and a different diet. You are totally absorbed with finding the right cure, but nothing works for you! At some point you give give up. You You decide to go on a vacation and enjoy yourself. You go hiking, skiing, skating and swimming and you have fun. After five days your constipation is history. Why? You finally dealt with the cause - stress and a lack of physical activity, and not just the symptoms. And, you tried to fight AGAINST the problems instead of doing something FOR your fitness and recreation. Throughout the world, it is basically the same thing: as long as you fight something, you will give energy to it. Once you start investing your energy in something positive you want to achieve, many problems will get solved on their own.
Uncover or dissolve scandals in unity consciousness? These days the tabloids and their readers love to uncover any sort of scandal and make a great fuss about it. Once in a while they will even uncover scandals that are not really scandals at all. I don't read any newspapers and I don't follow the news on TV. I think that as long as we are on a crusade of revenge and wish to uncover scandals, we are wasting energy. There may be instances where it is valid in order to protect or punish. Nevertheless we are wasting energy in our righteous revenge instead of saying: “Well, so what was it all about and how can we proceed from here in a more beneficial way?” Uncovering scandals just for the sake of uncovering them is counterproductive unless we have the ability and consciousness to deal with it wisely. As long as we keep fighting each other, we keep investing energy in fights, in being right, in punishment, and in revenge. It will cost us our own energy even though we may be 40
Thinking about your problems over and over will contribute nothing – or very little that is innovative – to any solution. It will simply give more power to negativity and to the problem. Your energy levels will even sink during this continual battling with the problem in your head. I mentioned earlier that Einstein knew that nature always tends to move towards harmony. For this reason we don’t necessarily have to solve the problem. Many times it is good enough to stop constantly thinking about it. In this way we we allow nature the space to move move towards harmony. Let me word it in a more spiritual way: Once you invest your energy in unity, you will naturally resolve the symptoms of the feeling of separateness without wasting your power on any kind of fight. Fighting always produces winners and losers. To strive for the unity of good and evil (who would think of themselves as the bad guy anyway...) will hollow out the problem from the inside. Once we are all One and think and act accordingly, there won't be any more scandals. You You are not convinced? convinced? Let me give you a few more examples:
Many people criticise the injustice of the banking system, claiming that it is only for the rich. Stacks of books have been written about the evil banking system. In what way does it help or change the situation? No effect in my opinion! Muhammad Yunus didn't get up on a soapbox about anything, but instead started acting on behalf of the poor and has helped millions already. Many are aware of Rüdiger Nehberg’s efforts to stop genital mutilation. If you are not, then take a look at: www.target-human-rights.de. Instead of fighting against the Islam leaders because they authorise the genital mutilation of young girls and women on the basis of their faith, he won them over for his cause. They now fight with him against genital mutilation and have declared that it is incompatible with their religion. The human body is now considered sacred. This is one of the most brilliant examples of “being for instead of against something”. “We must not let that happen“. We hear that statement many times from those who fight the battle of the righteous. While others simply start something new that evolves evolves and grows grows organically. organically. At some point no one needs the old stuff anymore.
The intention is not to show the “other side“ that we are better and they are dispensable. Perhaps, by giving them a new role model, we may enable them to redirect their power and skills and come up with new ideas as well. For their own joy and for the unity of all that is. In principle, this is exactly what Rüdiger Nehberg has done for the fight against genital mutilation! He has made friends with the supposed enemy and brought them onto his camp.
…whisper, whisper... can you speak as quietly as I can? I think I can whisper a lot quieter than you...“ They will take the challenge and match your whispers. The fight will vanish into thin air and everyone will start giggling after a while. I wish adults could act accordingly when it comes to world politics. By whispering, we would creatively plant new seeds. And it wouldn't be long before symptoms of separation from unity have dissolved in a worldwide giggle. As soon as we don't care care who used to be the “bad guy“ and who the “good guy“; as soon as we forget who “started it“; as soon as we are only interested in our neighbour’s skills and not in his failures; failures; as soon as we focus on solutions that contain joy and happiness for everyone regardless whether they are oddballs or the regular John Q Public; as soon as we have achieved all that, we will have taken a big step into unity consciousness. We We would then be on a level of consciousness consciousness that would allow us to cope with environmental affairs with an entirely different efficiency. There would be space for the problem solving of the kind that is still unthinkable today. I am thinking of eco spaceships instead of gas guzzling monster cars; recyclable houses and mansions made of plants that have the most wonderful living climate. Walking Walking around Buckingham Palace Palace or Versailles ersailles may strike you with its beauty, but as a warm living space I wouldn't want to stay for long. There is a lot of potential for energetic improvement...
Setting boundaries Don't tell me I'm being too naive for this world and that it doesn’t work like this. There are endless possibilities to starting on a positive note without fighting. And this may grow into something big in the future. Maybe big enough to lovingly embrace the former negative and provide space for redirection without pointing the finger at it! Watc Watch h out, Oneness! All is One and you you are part of this this unity! You will always get the energetic boomerang back on your head. Care about what you bring into this world and care less about what others do. Look at parenting, for example. When small children shout and scream at each other, it doesn't make the situation more positive by shouting even louder yourself. Try whispering! Usually those little rascals are incredibly curious and want to find out what you're whispering, but they have to be quiet to do so. “Hey,
Don't you have to speak up sometimes to set clear boundaries? Yes, of course. My recommendation in setting boundaries would be Marshall Rosenberg's “Nonviolent Communication“ (you'll find his books easily on the internet). The tone makes the music and also determines the result of your “boundary setting campaign”! I'm thinking of yet another example. I have realised that people can deal with criticism a lot better when it comes from a place of respect, affection and even love. If I have to set boundaries or need to criticise someone and they feel accepted and loved at the same time, they will know my intention by certain parameters (“mirror neurons”, body language, facial expression, tone of voice). They will know that my words are not meant to be “against” them, but rather an expression of my truth and that my desire is to create unity and peace instead of fight and revenge. 41
Usually the person will relax and listen and at least contemplate my words. Even people with an underlying aggressive energy and the zodiac sign “stubborn donkey” can't help to receive the message. It may take them a few days or even weeks, but at some point they will be back waving the white flag... :-) Use the exact same word with an underlying feeling of fear or disrespect, and not a single word will be heard! Defensiveness, denial, fight and more resentment will usually follow. follow. That is considered consid ered normal. You react react in exactly the same way. So, if you see the need for setting boundaries – and it is necessary in different kinds of relationships with partners, children, colleagues etc. etc. – take responsibility for the energy you convey with words. Think about it: All is One! Will you set boundaries boundaries remembering unity or will it widen the gap? A friend of mine is a tax counsellor. counsellor. He used to have a colleague who was very well-read and knowledgeable. He knew the law by heart. Any time he would call the tax authorities, knowing that they had screwed up something, he would shout and scream and fight like a tiger for his client. Yes, he was right!!! My friend wasn't really as knowledgeable, but he saw the person on the other side that had made a mistake. So he would speak in a friendly tone asking about their families and their health more than he would talk about his client's problem. Guess who would always get the best deal for his client? Unity of all people, consideration and comprehension for both sides, no matter how far “up” or “down2 in the hierarchy, as well as your intention to have a win-win situation. This is the magic formula. Anyway Anyway,, you know that it works works this wa way y, don't you? Some of you have to call about 150 people every day for a minute just to be in touch and to fall back on them in case you need them. You could probably call a thousand people if you had the time, but that wouldn't really make sense. But, out of your 1000 people, are you sure you're in touch with those 150 that you are able to create and hold your own personal “vision” of unity consciousness? And if they are the right people, do you call them in the right consciousness? Are your calls an inspiration, a reawakening of unity consciousness? Or are you just playing with them? Something you thoroughly despise with people lower in the hierarchy... Just asking... asking... :-) 42
One last “Yes... but” There are people who are a definite threat to society! We We can’t very very well do nothing nothing about about it, can we? we? It won't won't help much to sit and wait, we have got to do something! About ten years years ago I met a gentleman who told me that he had practiced black magic in his adolescence. He was convinced it was possible to do black magic in unity consciousness and he felt at ease with this. But his judicial use of the art was marred when he couldn't resist using black magic in one instance for merely egotistical reasons. He said that he had known right away that he was then trapped, and from that day forward he stopped doing black magic altogether. What is my point here? You You might feel it is your inner assignment to uncover a certain scandal. It would be just and in accordance accordance with unity, unity, and it wouldn’t endanger anyone else. It would simply be right to do it. On the other hand, uncovering scandals with a sense of “look how bad THOSE guys are and how good I am!“ will be a boomerang when we come from a place of revenge or aggression. Any time you fight without a sound inner (soul) assignment you will only feed and strengthen what you fight. Try it with your partner: once you start fighting things will only get worse. Remember unity and put your inner connection first and there will be peace after a few minutes. Yet there may be cases where it is necessary to set clear boundaries. Always let your heart decide, not your head... 9 Whatever Whatever you do, first check your intention and your fear factor. Fear usually isn't a good counsellor – except when the lion stands in front of you... In a later chapter I will give you a totally different problem-solving method. Obviously one has to practice with smaller problems first. We are all human and thus imperfect. Trial and error is a valid approach to experience a method's power. I myself tend to initially freak out when a problem first arises. Only later do I start considering other possibilities. If I can manage to remember in time, the result is usually wonderful and infinitely more satisfying than any action that comes from fear.
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If you feel you need training in this area, read John M. Gottman's book "The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work"
Be daring! Dieter is a friend of mine who, in contrast to me, has worked as a professional trainer for about 20 years and can draw upon an unbelievable wealth of experience. You You may appreciate appreciate how it all had started for him. He used to be a young cabinet maker who ended up on one of those American success trainings where they told him: “You can do it! Everyone can do it! You can be a millionaire by selling motor oil!” Dieter sat there and thought to himself: “Yes! I can do it! I will be a millionaire!” He quit his job and soon he became became a millionaire. In a flash his turnover was millions of Swiss Franks just selling old motor oil! And all because the trainer had told him he could do it. But then another trainer came and told him something completely different. “Oh my God, this is such a difficult business! Now you need PR, you need high gloss brochures and an accountant for your financial statement! Oh my goodness, those financial statements! They are just too difficult! You need an expert. You need me!“ It didn't take long for Dieter to file for bankruptcy... He started thinking... “First I thought that it’s all so easy, and it was easy”. Then he went into fear mode by listening to the new “expert” and thought that it was all so difficult and ended up bankrupt. So for the last 20 years his intention has been – and still is - to empower people to achieve their goals simply by listening to themselves instead of listening to some windbag. An important part of his workshops is to learn how to be intelligently naive! I do not do many workshops anymore because I don't enjoy them so much and don't feel like devoting my time to this aspect. Dieter usually oversees my workshops for an afternoon doing some surprise programme. Why would I want to share the following following entry in his guest book? I’ll let you read it first before I continue.
Entry in Positive Factory guest book (written by the boss himself) There was a very upset client sitting in Wolfi's office this week (Wolfi and I share office space). She was very aggressive and loud. Full of emotions, she talked about her diseases and how the world was full of idiots (especially men...). And Germany was about to go down the drain anyway...
With rage rage in her her eyes, eyes, she looked at me (Dieter) because I smiled at her lovingly thinking “Hello, sweet and unique soul! Good to feel you here. Seems like you have forgotten about everything right now...“. My smiling only amplified her anger. But I felt the longing behind the rage. It was as tangible and present as the rage. I looked at her asking: “Do you feel your heart and your soul once you are quiet? Or can you only feel yourself when you are angry?“ She was all eyes and her nostrils were quivering and she started blowing her cheeks. I looked into her eyes and saw something completely different. She became still and looked at me. “What do you think I should do?“ “How about total acceptance of what is in this particular moment? How about feeling yourself and returning to the present moment? Feeling the present moment, feeling the NOW means to feel life itself again. Then there is no reason to be afraid. Life is wonderful just the way it is. Then you will feel that you are wonderful.“ My friend Wolfi just sat there watching us wide-eyed. Oh my God, he thought, please help. He smiled. Well, Well, I led this wonderful wonderful lady into her inner inner temple (at (at least she tried) and she heard about evolution and essence. She also heard about the power of words. “Did you listen to yourself talk about yourself and life around you? Is that what you want?“ With amazement she realised that this also was an expression of her full potential. And when she left, she said goodbye, with tears in her eyes. Today my family and I enjoyed the wonderful jam she had brought us the following day. “What have you done to me? It feels so good. Thank you so much!“ Wolfi replied: “See, you don't dare come back here feeling like shit, do you? You know that you would have to listen to Dieter's sermon again.” And that's fine! It was only a few words. It wasn't much. It was exactly what we experience during our trainings all the time. This being didn't know it. It really wasn't much. But the words were spoken. LOVE was addressed; it is always enough to remember LOVE. Be blessed and have a wonderful weekend. Namaste to all guest book readers – and writers. Dieter 43
There are two possibilities as to why this true story could be of interest to you. Either you are the type of person who aggressively shouts and screams, or you are more like Dieter and have the power to remind the shouter and screamer of their true nature, their true self. The problem with some of the droopy, so-called spiritual people is that they have heard it many times before. They just don’t seem to be able to incorporate it into their lives. Considering the Oneness of all that is, this is fine and well, I suppose. Of course, millionaires are just like other normal people. You can be as moody and bad tempered as anybody. But I realise one difference: Once a person with inner power and clarity (and millionaires usually have that – at least those do who are not bankrupt again after one year) has understood it, once they accept something as their truth, they take action without hesitation. They don't need to hear it a hundred times. They change whatever needs to be changed. Maybe something in that incident has touched you and you feel like getting up and giving a jar of jam to someone. Or reminding someone of their full potential, like Dieter loves to do. Feeling the connection and relatedness with others brings you back into unity. unity. One thing is certain: during such moments you will feel everything, but you won’t feel bored. Be daring! Utilise your power power and clarity! Here's a little warning, in case you feel like meeting Dieter (this is mainly meant for German readers, as the seminars are all in German). He is not much of a suit and tie person. Take a look at seminars on my website: www.bmakademie.de However, his seminars, my seminars and our joint seminars are just a drop in the ocean of those on offer. I am certain that, if you are looking for something, you’ll find exactly the right on for you wherever you happen to be.
Transform the external into the internal A few months ago, I received received an interesting interesting report on Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len. He is a clinical doctor who claims to heal his patients using a very simple method. It is called Ho'oponopono and the report states that he has healed countless criminal psychiatric patients without even seeing them. It said that he simply reads their respective files and then feels inside, as if he (Dr. Len) created the problem. Then he heals the part inside him that he feels is responsible. It sounds strange, I know, but we tried it with a few friends and it was a precious experience. I'll come back to that in just a minute. Dr. Len says that we need to take full responsibility for everything in existence. Whatever we perceive as negative simply begs to be healed. This applies to literally anything: acts of terror, politics, the economy, our relatives and friends and their behaviour – you name it! Dr. Len states that all these things don't really exist. They are merely a reflection or projection of our inner world. So the problem is not somewhere out there, but right here with us! Because the whole world is our own creation! Anything showing up in my world is my own creation. Otherwise it simply wouldn't show up in my world. So I guess I'm writing this book exclusively for myself because you don't really exist, right? If you don't know what I'm talking about here, it would only mean that there is still a part of me that is totally oblivious and needs to be healed.
Let me remind you of a quote by the mystic Hildegard von Bingen, which I mentioned earlier:
After I read read this report, I immediately immediately wanted wanted to try the the method with a few friends. We looked at each other suspiciously to find out which one of us was just a reflection and not real! We quickly sifted through different situations and persons we had problems with and started the experiment. Sometimes we altered the procedure to our liking and did things differently from the Ho'ponopono methodology. (For more background, look it up on the Internet and you’ll find reams of information.)
“As long as man won't find himself in the eyes and hearts of his fellow men, he is on the run. As long as he won't allow his fellow men to partake in his inmost core, there won't be security. As long as he fears to be seen through, he won't be able to know himself nor others. He will be alone. Everything is related with each other.“
One version was to search inside ourselves to see where we had created the problem (as in the report). In the slightly altered version, we would imagine to be the actual person, energy or institution that created the problem. We would ask ourselves how and why we had brought on the problem, and how we could heal ourselves again.
What if everyone everyone recognises your face and you don’t dare to attend a seminar anywhere?
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Dr. Len was quoted in the Ho’oponopono report as saying that he did nothing more than concentrate on two simple phrases when he was healing the psychiatric patients: “I'm so sorry” and “I love you”. Supposedly all the patients had been released from the clinic sometime after that. We We tried it out and found it to be amazing. Back to the roots of all those problems we found in ourselves. Usually it was the feeling of being separated and fear! Fear of anything you can think of... Saying “I'm so sorry” and “I love you” brought about the most wonderful results for us. It felt very liberating and harmonising. In the more difficult cases, we needed to think “I love you” a few times and sometimes put greater emphasis on it like “I love you wholeheartedly, with all my strength and with all my being”. Even the most difficult feelings melted away. In all this we realised one thing: no matter what happened in the outside world, it was a great experience to look for the feeling inside ourselves. “What would have caused the problem if I was in his or her place?” then heal that feeling inside! It was awesome! Feelings of joy, connectedness, love, oneness, bliss and much more came up. The simple act of looking for the problem inside made us feel happy and our hearts seemed to grow. Provided you put your heart into it this little exercise can be very fulfilling and promote happiness. Keep practicing, the results will come! Do I manipulate another being here? No! Because I always heal myself and do not interfere with another being's free will. I look inside for the cause of the problem: if it was me, how did I create the problem? And then I heal that that part of of myself. I transform the world by transforming myself! Heal yourself and the world is being healed. I had heard that statement before, but I had never found a reliable method to implement the knowledge. Now I have a wonderful tool at my disposal! You You may want to try this with envious, envious, begrudging or jealous people - or anyone anyone you feel is a pain in the neck. Just imagine: If I were like that, why would I feel and act that way? What feeling inside me would cause the problem? Then heal it inside with “I'm so sorry” and “I love you”. You will always feel more serene and content and you may even reach the other person, who may then decide not to envy and begrudge you anymore. All because of the exquisite energy that flows from you into the world.
If you think this nothing more than a fairytale, I wouldn’t blame you. Still you have a choice. Go ahead and try it out for yourself! You can then decide whether this technique is of value to YOU or not.
Interviews with Happy Millionaires I interviewed four different wealthy members of the target group about their secrets for inner wealth. The responses that I received were wonderful and interesting. I will start with the lady, followed by three gentlemen:
Louise: At 80 years old – as fit as a fiddle and brimming over with gentle light-heartedness light-heartedness I met Louise Hay in London on the occasion of the 20th birthday celebrations of her company Hay House Publishing. The publishing company has a turnover of approximately 70 million dollars in the U.S., with nothing but books on spirituality and health. At first I asked asked her whether she found found her money to be a burden like many other millionaires I had talked to. She said no, it's not the money that these people complain about, it’s simply their habit to complain. And why should they change that just because they have money? It was never her intention to make money. She was always motivated to help people, her readers, other authors, her employees, everybody. She says she arrived at a point in her life when the flow of money simply could not be stopped or prevented. Money will flow to those who serve the whole, who serve oneness. That's her impression of the functioning of money's energy. She still thinks that money is just a very comfortable thing to have, but not really important at all. And she likes comfortable things. The first thing she noticed were my flat, comfortable shoes I wore with my fancy dress. “Those look quite comfy, too”, she said and showed me hers. She had basically done the same thing. Top styling with super comfy shoes! She's into 45
holistic health and well-being, and there's just no way she would wear high heels at a party where you're standing on your poor feet all the time. “Things will never really make you happy”, Louise says. “I’d rather take a little walk through my garden instead of buying a new dress.” Her employees seem to know that because last year they gave her a rose for her 80th birthday, which is named after her. When asked about envious envious individuals and profiteers, profiteers, she said that she hadn’t even come across them once. She either didn’t have any perception of this or else she just didn’t attra attract ct these kind kind of people. Rivalry Rivalry was also something that didn’t exist for her, since we are all unique beings. Even if everybody were to do the same thing, the results would always be different – on account of our uniqueness. For this reason, serious rivalry doesn’t exist and it is therefore not something to be feared. A heartfelt heartfelt thanks to to Louise for these wise words. words.
Ludger: A lobbyist sets off for pastures new Ludger’s father always said: “Son, you have to stop when you are 60 or else you’ll never be able to let go any more.” Ludger took this warning seriously and stopped at 60. This was met with outrage by those surrounding him. “You cannot do that. It’s harmful to your health! If you bring everything in your current work to a standstill, your energy levels will also drop. The body thinks that it’s no longer needed, starts to break down and you’ll be dead in two years.” He was told this by a fatherly friend. Well, Well, these were were great great perspectives. perspectives. However However,, after some reflection, the friend had more to say: “Have you attained all of the goals in life that you set yourself?” Ludger: “Yes, “Yes, I have really, why?” The friend: “This is bad news that you don’t have any more goals. Perhaps the time has arrived for you to give something back.” These words took root. Ludger had never thought of this. He had always worked for himself and for his goals. What did the friend mean exactly with giving back? How? What “Well, you always have been a lobbyist. You’re good at this. Keep at it. In your vicinity, you most certainly have people who don’t have a lobby but are urgently in need of one – you can do this for them.” 46
Ludger’s thoughts whirled around in circles as he went home. He had been very touched by what he had been told and he couldn’t get it out of his head. But for whom should he lobby? He couldn’t think of anyone. Shortly afterwards, a single parent came into his office (in the insurance industry), which was in the process of being wound-up. She complained that her son only received rejection letters, despite sending out loads of applications. One day later, another unemployed youth sat in front of him and also related how many applications he had already sent out in vain. Ludger is a man of action. It was immediately clear to him who was in need of a lobby. In no time at all he was already underway and marched a young man, who was interested in an apprenticeship as a car mechanic, to see an old acquaintance of his, who owned a car repair shop. “I have a young man here, who wants to be a car mechanic. How are things at your end?” “Ha!” came the very emotional response. His acquaintance disappeared behind a desk and returned with a mountain of envelopes, which he piled up in front of Ludger. “This,” he said, “is making us crazy. We are continually being bombarded with umpteen applications. It doesn’t stop. I don’t have the time to look through them all. When should I do it? Without looking at them, I pass them on to my secretary and say that she should write something nice and send everything back.” Ludger understood – both sides. “I understand you,” he said, “and I can also understand the young people. What is to become of those who receive receive one letter letter of rejection after the other and don’t see any more prospects. We shouldn’t be surprised if criminality, alcohol and drugs are the consequence.” “Yes, that’s true, but what can we do?” “I’ll make you a proposal. I’ll select the young people for you so that you don’t have to concern yourself with the applications. In return, you take two apprentices rather than one, ok?” The acquaintance shook hands and kept the first one there for a trial period. Ludger then set off in search of people who would sponsor young people without apprenticeships and who would help them to find the right placement. He didn’t have any difficulty in finding those willing to help. There were many dedicated people, who wanted to get involved in a good cause. Nevertheless, there was
more work to be done setting this up than he had imagined. “It doesn’t matter,” Ludger told me. “I am happy about a sentence said by my friend: ‘Don’t you think it’s time for you to give something back?’ I notice how this job uplifts me and keeps me young. There is no time to get rusty and I have the good feeling of doing something really worthwhile.” What he particularly particularly liked liked about his new life life was being free from all constraints. When money was the goal, scarcely a discussion took place that didn’t have ulterior motives and wasn’t totally relaxed. Everything was subject to some kind of inner restrictions. “I love the feeling that arises when I meet people, without one party wanting to sell something to the other. This is a kind of wealth, to be free from all constraints and simply to be able to play with life. I no longer have to represent anything; I can be who and how I am, and I can talk to whom I like and when I like. Who earns what, or does or doesn’t have, has become completely disinteresting to me. There is something liberating about this. When I move beyond the boundaries of my old world and run around in jeans and a T-shirt, then I am simply one of many and this feels good.” He then met his current girlfriend on the Camino de Santiago. She was – naturally – happily ignorant of his professional position or his bank account. “Before,” said Ludger in reflection, “I used to thoroughly destroy relationships. I always thought: ‘You’re not such a great guy, Ludger, they probably don’t mean you.’ And, just to be on the safe side, I ruined these relationships again with this mistrust and insecurity. This is similar too committing suicide out of fear of dying. Simply absurd. Everything is different now. I feel better in my own skin or – better still - let’s say, I can actually feel myself. I couldn’t have said this before. Since money has become unimportant, relationships and friends have become really precious. I no longer have any problems to be myself and then the problem doesn’t arise any more.” “And I have to tell you another funny thing,” he said in finishing his story. “I always had a weakness for fancy cars. Recently, when I was continually experiencing problems with the electrics, I finally took it back to the dealer. For the time being, I’m driving around with my old banger. And I’ll tell you what – I enjoy this somehow. There is something private, something individual about it. I simply can’t get this from a new car. A really interesting discovery. I am immediately reminded of the
appropriate passage from the start of your book (page X). At At this point, I really had to laugh about about myself. myself. Your way of not taking yourself too seriously in your writing gave me the courage to do so. Anyone, Anyone, who wants to get involved involved in the campaign to find sponsors for young people in search of jobs, is welcome to contact Ludger Theilmeir from Gutersloh.
[email protected]
Giovanni: Money is an effect, not a cause Interviewing Giovanni Curto was not only very productive for me, but also a top class culinary delight. He cooked for my children and I at his home. In so doing, he immediately demonstrated what he briefly told me over the dessert. “Having a lot of money is only ideal if I am healthy, have a strong personality and all-round success. For, if mind, body and soul are all equally healthy, then I’ll automatically keep my feet on the ground. Anyone, who loses the plot simply because of their bank account, is merely revealing their weak personality.” Giovanni has been earning a great deal for a very long time. Since they were small, he has taught his children: “Never spare a thought for money! Do that which gives your energy and with which you can express yourself. Money will then come naturally.” Or: “You must not run after money. Let it come to you! Money is an effect, not a cause!” I wanted him to explain the latter concept in greater detail. Giovanni: “Money is not the cause of the problem, but rather it’s on account of the problem that there is a lack of money. And the problem usually lies in the internal attitude. Observation results in amplification; nonobservation results in liberation. We frequently observe people, but usually what we don’t want – and therewith amplify that which we don’t want. Whether it’s a lack of money, relationship problems or whatever. If I were now to sit in a treadmill, it wouldn’t help if I doubled the speed and continue to run in the wrong direction. The undesired effect wouldn’t disappear.” Hhmm, does the same apply to the national debt? Giovanni believes it does and presses the book “Rich dad, poor dad – what the rich should teach their children about money” by Robert Kiyosaki in my hands. As a child, the author had a poor and a rich father. The poor father was his real father, and the rich father was the father of his best friend. The latter treated him like a second son. 47
Both fathers attempted to teach him to deal sensibly with money. The poor father’s advice was: “Go to school, learn studiously, get good marks and go on a lot of apprenticeships.” He followed this advice himself and remained poor. The rich father quit school at the age of 8 and advised something completely different: different: “Schools are designed to train good employees, but not employers. What you need is a financial IQ and the courage to follow and express your interests. Never work for money.” Both he, and his two sons, became very rich by following this advice. Kiyosaki commented on the national debt as follows: “Our enormous national debt is largely due to our highly educated educated politicians and government officials, who make financial decisions without having any any kind of economic training or with just a limited knowledge of money.” I read the book in one go and found it very interesting. The author also wrote: “If you become rich without having learnt to get to grips with your fears and your desires, you are nothing more than highly paid slaves.” Therewith, he reaches a similar conclusion to Giovanni who, at the beginning, said that having a lot of money is only ideal if you are centred and simultaneously have a strong personality. Giovanni therefore has a second job coaching other people and many fellow millionaires, who want to work on their integral happiness and success, as well as strengthening their personality. Here too, he has a very individual way of dealing with his clients. “Anyone who wants to come to me for a consultation, is initially recommended the book “Jenseits des Regenbogens” (Beyond the rainbow) by Thorsten Volmer / Hubert von Brunn, in three volumes. They should work their way through this and, if they have questions afterwards, they are welcome to come to me for coaching. I don’t take anyone before they have read the book.” Anyone Anyone going to Giovanni Giovanni is in good hands. He only works for a good half a year and then lives off independent means for the rest of the year. This means that he clearly isn’t a workaholic and therewith belongs to a minority among self-made millionaires. I wanted to know how he deals with envious people. “Well, that is the same subject that we have already talked about: observation results in amplification. There are undoubtedly envious people, but they don’t interest me. I don’t notice them. And if one of them were to come and tell me what bad things so-and-so had said about me, then I would ask them to look at it under the filter of love: ‘Does it give me or you anything to talk about it?’ The subject is then usually finished with.” 48
When asked about black sheep in his vicinity, he says: says: “I don’t think much about that either. If I continually talk about black sheep, there will be more of them, In the end I would turn into a black sheep myself and not even be aware of it. It is the same with the enviers. If I talk about them too much, I turn into one.” Giovanni told me that he learnt this from the spiritual healer and author, Harald Wessbecher, and would always ask himself: “What gives me energy? Or what takes energy from me?” Equally: “Who gives me energy? Or who takes energy from me?” The people and activities that rob him of energy certainly don’t have anything to do with his highest potential. Therefore, he would rather do without them immediately instead of spending a long time complaining about them. For their part, these people would be better placed where they give energy rather than taking it away. He has been helped a great deal by this perception and his managers have already benefited a great deal from this. For him, holistic further training for business partners is an important concept and integral part of the company. “People, whom we get angry about, only reflect unresolved issues in our innermost selves,” he adds. He remembers how he spent a long time getting extremely angry about a man who – so it seemed to him – always said “no” to everything. However, when he thought about the question of what the other man had that he didn’t, it was immediately clear to him. The other man possessed the ability to clearly say “no” in plain language when he didn’t want something. This was something that Giovanni still had to learn at the time. As he recognised the mirror and practised saying “no”, the other man became a good friend and the anger disappeared. This brings us to the next subject: Giovanni said that he has already privately loaned at least half a million and has only received a small part of it back. However, at some point he learned to say no. He has also learned – as already mentioned in an earlier chapter – that an angler, who is given fish on a daily basis, never learns to fish for himself. That’s why he shows people how to fish! In this way, he enables people to be more free and more independent and ultimately more self-confident. He told me about a colleague, who asked a beggar whether he had given some thought to how he could be of use to other people. He could help elderly women to carry their heavy bags of shopping home, for example. Such considerations would help to bring the person in question out of his situation much sooner than one euro as a temporary measure. Since then, Giovanni – like many of his colleagues – has
gone over to “giving small one-off amounts” rather than larger sums that he never sees again. “You cannot imagine how quickly they are all broke and need more money. However, they have to learn to fish for themselves at some point. The same applies to children. If I do everything for them, they become weak and dependent. It’s better to allow them to make mistakes so that they can become strong and can make the experience: I can do it myself!” At the end of the interview interview, I asked him for a tip for staying happy when you have a lot of money. Giovanni: “In my seminars I like to get the participants to compile a 30-point list with 30 things that they enjoy doing. The adults often look totally shocked. They only relax after I tell them that we’re not at school and they are allowed to copy their neighbour. Children don’t have any problem with this. Lively, creative children can immediately think of 100 things. It’s then great to compare the lists among the family, to find things that they have in common and to discuss within the family how they can integrate as many things as possible within every day life. This is a very lively process and it makes people centred.” Giovanni advocates advocates holistic success. For him this means: being completely healthy having a strong personality letting love flow and having sufficient money.
Benno: Do you continue to laugh and radiate joy when all of your your money has gone? Benno Scheyer started out 30 years ago as a police officer and “poor devil”, as he says today, After five years, he started to supplement his income by working in a distribution company. Shortly afterwards, he built up 12 companies in Germany with 4,500 employees and, during the following 12 to 15 years, earned so much that he was able to realise another of his lifelong dreams: He was able to purchase a spa and convert convert it into a spiritual seminar centre. He has meanwhile passed this onto his son and is himself off to pastures new again. During his life, Benno has made the experience that altruistic support, which you give to other people in order to allow them to develop on a personal level, ultimately brings more money than every sales strategy! This line of thinking is consistent with the muchrespected and quoted work by Wallace Wattle “The Science of Getting Rich”: “Creatively generate new
wealth for everyone, give more than you take and you will automatically be richer.” Whereby Whereby, the important question question for Benno was was always always “What is money actually?” and “What do I connect with it?” “Is it an instrument of power, do I connect it with fear and worry? Or is it simply a flowing energy, which is available to me so that I am able to discover and recognise myself?” You You are only really really financially independent if you are spiritually independent from money. In other words, if you don’t need it and have faith in your abilities to be able to generate what you need. “Do you still laugh and radiate joy when all of your money has gone?” he asks himself and others, time and again. Many people give money an added-value that it doesn’t have. This is when things get difficult. When asked about the issue of envy, Benno is of the opinion that everyone decides for themselves as to how many enviers they have and that this is dependent upon each individual person’s own guidelines: “If you use money as a cloak for your personality and act accordingly, this means that you don’t have any real self-worth. You give money the value that you have not yet found in yourself. This has the effect of being aggressive and provocative, and such behaviour generates a lot of envy.” In contrast, if you simply appear as a human being without a “cloak of money”, and if you give the impression that your own well-being is not dependent upon your bank account, then you will hardly have any enviers, but will become a role model instead. Another important question for him is: “What influence do I want to have with my money?” Money imparts power… Either the power to mess around, or the power for the sake of having power, but there is also the power to assist others to make something worthwhile of their lives. Whereby Whereby, he clearly says that money for development development aid doesn’t represent any assistance at all. What he in fact means is that money can also be employed in such a way that a change in consciousness takes place to the benefit of the individual and also collectively. Benno named Anita Roddick, the founder of “The Body Shop” as an example. She placed importance on natural ingredients and trained her suppliers in Third World Countries to become independent and to handle their income sensibly. 49
“A poor country is helped more through knowledge – such as how to lay a water pipe – than simply just with money, if the people aren’t given any instructions on how to deal with it,” explained Benno. By way of another example, he named a timber company that, despite cutting down trees in the Amazon region, deliberately only cut down those trees that were least needed by nature. Trees are then replanted in forested areas again. For a long time, rival companies laughed at them for doing this. Meanwhile many of these competitors are now bankrupt, whilst the company that thought in a holistic way has a continually growing turnover and profit. An exciting exciting thought is also the consideration, consideration, “What does man need?” Relatively little is needed in order to be able to live, but man has already decided what he needs prior to his life on earth. Since that which he has – whether it is a lot, really a lot, or possibly even nothing – is precisely what he needs in order to make his very own personal findings and experiences. A great great deal of wealth wealth can also lead to the realisation realisation that this is merely a tool to recognise that this isn’t what matters. It cannot be taken into the afterlife, so why give it so much importance? When asked about his working working hours, Benno replied that he works for a maximum of 6 to 8 hours per day. Less is more. It is not true that you have to work for 15 hours in order to earn a good salary. In such cases, it is often helpful to observe yourself and to be “suspicious” that you are perhaps identifying too strongly with work and that you balance a lack of real self-worth and inner wealth by working harder. “Be suspicious of yourself and ask yourself what you are doing. Nevertheless, do so gently and regularly ask yourself: “Why am I actually doing this? Where do I want to go? What do I really want to achieve? It is only by being your own observer on a more frequent basis that you will you have a chance to escape the treadmill. For, it is only from the position of observer that you will realise that you have built it yourself.”
Individual energisation with Thomaz Morton Green Let me say this upfront: This trip in 2006 was the most amazing journey that I have had the privilege of making in my life so far! Even if I have already experienced similar things in more modest circumstances, Thomaz represents the absolute summit. And: this chapter chapter is actually actually just a kind of preparation preparation for the final chapter of the book. It isn’t overly detailed because I also want to convey a feeling for the content and my experiences, and not just pass on factual information. I therefore recommend that you read the next couple of chapters when you have a bit of time, so that you are able to take a walk afterwards and give some thought to what all of this means to you and your life – or not, as the case may be. Don’t take my word for it, but rather go inside yourself to feel what is right for you. This works particularly well when you are surrounded by nature. About six months ago I met Thomaz at an event called “Frankfurter Ring” in Frankfurt, Germany. The event wasn't quite what people expected! • Given the the cost people expected: expected: • A highly sophisticated and professional professional talk (no way, way, Thomaz was as professional as a 4-year-old; you had to be able to read between the lines to hear the interesting things). • Multiple demonstrations demonstrations of outstanding outstanding phenomena (he didn't consider it; for 200 euro, we could buy a couple of forks and knives that he had already bent before the event) • An enormously enormously strong and tangible tangible energy (I did notice that, at least) Thomaz told us about the beginning of his journey (when he was 12 years old a flash of energy had struck him and he started developing paranormal abilities), before taking us on a guided meditation. Then he showed us his newest cuddly toy and let some drops of perfume drip from his fingers. Sitting in the audience we could smell it, but not really see it. Big disappointment for many! many! Being an unconv unconventional entional and free free spirited person, there was no noticeable structure to the seminar – again this was difficult for many people to accept. I think I was one of the few he didn't scare off. On the one hand, I have a lot of experience with gurus and so-called psychics and have met many extraordinary
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human beings all over the world. The scent of Thomaz’s perfume reminded me of the fragrance I smelled at Bala Sai Baba's ashram in Hyderabad/India. The latter was also able to manifest things from the non-physical. I visited Bala Sai Baba back in 2001. In my leisure time I would sit on the bed and write my diary. I would always ask for a sign when it was time to go down and see the guru as no one knew when he would randomly receive us in audience. Often I would smell the scent of his perfumes and walk down to the hall only to meet him in the corridor. Nothing else comes close to these particular fragrances. They are penetrating and flowery but natural at the same time. So for me, I could relate to Thomaz’s fragrances. As with Bala Sai Baba, the scents would suddenly change every so often. I also recognized his particular kind of energy. People with outstanding paranormal abilities often have childlike and maladjusted personality traits. Thomaz, like Bala Sai Baba, would use explicit language sometimes and some people were shocked by this behaviour. Only stubborn folks such as myself would be unfazed and remain seated and ultimately rewarded with a highly exceptional energy ene rgy.. My friends – who were also at the event – and I ran into some people who visited Thomaz in Brazil some time ago. Their reports confirmed our perception of him and we were convinced we were in the right place at the right time. I hurried to arrange an individual session with him, which took some perseverance! It wasn't like Germany: no efficiency, no real structure, you have to cope with uncertainty like drifting through a vacuum. Is it going to work out or not? Where do I have to go exactly? Which airport is it, anyw anyway? ay? Without Without knowing knowing this, this, how can I buy a ticket! To this date I still don't have Thomaz’s physical address in Brazil, even though I spent a few days there! Trying to speak to him on the phone prior to a session was hopeless! No one ever answered the phone. This is quite hard for some people to cope with and also very odd. Plus, you pay 8000 euro for 2 individual energisation sessions of a couple of hours each! And the scary prices keep rising with the ever-rising ever-rising demand. But, as I said before, I'm pretty stubborn and if it hadn’t worked out this time I would have made a new appointment at another time. He couldn’t get rid of me that easily... :-)
Individual energisation in Brazil – day 1 I touched down in Sao Paulo, Brazil Brazil at 5 a.m. I was met by a taxi and taken to my hotel hotel in Pouso Alegre, a small town 130 miles outside of Sao Paulo, where I spent the first two days. Thomaz’s wife Christine picked me up at 5 p.m. on my second day in Brazil. Christine used to be a journalist and now works full-time as her husband’s organiser and translator. She told me that it was sometimes a tough job trying to organise Thomaz. She could never give anyone definite details because she never knew what he would come up with next. I was told that my first session with Thomaz would start at 5 p.m. and finish at midnight. After getting to know each other for a while we began with his mentalisation (a kind of guided relaxation) at 6.30 for about 1 hour. Then I got my first energisation with another relaxation after that. At 10 p.m. he called it a night and I was done for the first day. It made me think of my experiences with Bala Sai Baba in India. Forget your expectations and take it as it comes. There were still a few interesting things on the first day: After arriving arriving at his house I was was told to wait for for him on the patio. Every once in a while I saw huge spurts of flame on the hill across from his house. Any time Thomaz or Christine were present nothing could be seen! Once I was alone again it resumed. Christine thought it might be some training for the fire department. I mention this because I perceived a similar phenomenon during one of his energisations. The light shone extremely bright and I had to squeeze my eyes shut, but it didn't help to reduce the brightness! It was like a huge, yellow flame right in front of my face without any heat to it. When I asked Thomaz about the phenomenon he said he had not seen anything. He asked me a few things about colour and appearance and I thought he was joking. I was absolutely absolutely convinced convinced that he initiated it, but apparently that wasn't the case. I have never taken drugs in my life. On both days, I ate a late lunch and only ate again after the energisation session. I drank tap water water on the first f irst day, day, but that was it. Thomaz thought it was good sign that I saw the flame and showed me a photograph of his hands where you can see a similar flame between them. He said that he 51
simply invited the energy and a photographer had taken the picture. It looked like a solid fire between his hands. He used this particular energy for energisations, but said that he rarely saw it. He mostly felt it and he liked that I was able to see it, as obviously I was in some kind of resonance with it. He also massaged my forehead during the energisation. After a while, while, his thumb became became somewhat somewhat damp damp and I noticed a strong scent. The humidity began in the centre of his thumb and then became increasingly stronger. But the best part was when he set his index fingers on the bridge of my nose the fragrance started dripping into my nose through the skin! Before I knew it, the scent changed from tigerbalm mint to some sweet women's fragrance. One week later and back in Germany, my hair still smelled of the perfume even after washing my hair 3 times. In bed at night, my husband Manfred told me that I smelled of ”guru” because the scent reminded him of the ashram. These were my first small personal phenomena of the first day, on which things were still relatively harmless. I already found the energy to be very empowering and also grounding. It felt as though I had been hungry and then given power food! My body felt correspondingly more powerful and stronger afterwards. After the the energisation, energisation, Thomaz and Christine gave gave me a ride back to my hotel and we had ate a soup together. I was hungry and thirsty because I hadn’t eaten or drunk anything since lunchtime. A huge hollow candle containing a small tea-light sat on the table. Thomaz didn't like that the candle was white and so he filled it up with beetroot juice. The candle glowed in a soft red light and he was pleased. Our waiter was not amused but obviously knew the peculiarities of his regular guest... Thomaz asked me to take 3 packages of sugar. He intended to energise them for me the next day. I said that I didn't eat sugar and he replied that it didn't matter. If I wanted he would transform it into peppermint tea. Christine said that he would actually do it. I was anxious to see that.
Individual energisation in Brazil – day 2 he second evening with Thomaz was a trip! It was the greatest miracle I have ever experienced in my life! I'll fill you in with the details in a minute. But before I start 10
If you are interested, take a look at the novel “Der Skeptiker und der
Guru” (The sceptic and the Guru), which I have based on experiences in different ashrams.
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my report I have to say once more that sceptics should not continue to read. My impressions are that Thomaz the man and the energy he works with are two totally different things. Bala Sai Baba seemed very similar in that aspect. Most of my friends know that I sat there thinking, “I don't want one of those ugly rings” that he materializes in his hands. I thought that I would only wear one if it were small and petite. Not one of those ugly fat ones that I had seen before! I wanted wanted a tiny green jewel and it should fit on the ring finger of my left hand. That's what I had come up with then forgotten. Two days later Bala Sai Baba came up to me and put the exact ring on the ring finger of my left hand, where it was a perfect fit. When I asked him why he gave me that particular ring, he merely raised his shoulders and answered that “God inside” made it up, not he. Well, Well, that was quite something in India... Bala Sai Baba considers himself a direct incarnation of God and you have to talk to him in a third person style as if talking to the royals. Never use second person when talking to him! Well, that's India, I guess. For Westerners, Thomaz Morton Green is a lot easier to be with as he considers himself a regular person and seeks regular means of social behaviour. There’s no need to be awestruck in his presence. On the other hand it would be an insult not to be awestruck in the ashram in India...10 My impression is that the energy itself feels very similar with both of them. It flows through them like it would flow through an unprejudiced and impeturbable child. It flows anywhere it wants to… there's no point in trying to talk Thomaz into doing this or that. Once the energy is willing to flow, it’s just crazy and anything can happen. Once it doesn't, you can't blame Thomaz since it's not for him to decide! Forget the attitude of “I paid my 8,000 euro so go ahead and do something for me!” That will not work at all. After all, it is the universal universal spirit that is responsible for the energy. How do you want to pay the spirit? You can’t. You You pay the 8,000 euro for Thomaz’s time and presence. You are both responsible for the energy's quality and for the possibility of phenomena happening. At At least this is my impression. I just felt like sharing this with you guys before you all start a run on Thomaz! That would be far from my intention anyway. What I want to get across is the message behind it all by writing very vividly. After all, it's spirit over matter in this universe where all is one and everything is connected with each other.
It is especially if you are perhaps a little too dependent on the material world and external wealth that Thomaz’s, and the experiences encountered in his presence, rapidly beam you into another level of consciousness. Several millionaires, whom I have spoken with, have doubts as to whether there is really anything interesting to discover beyond the realms of matter. It is my hope that this report will inspire them to put their perceptions of the power of matter and external wealth into perspective, and to become interested in internal wealth. What if everything is living, even matter? What if I am able to connect with everything and enter into a lively discussion with it? And what if I am only able to evoke these experiences internally and not by counting my riches and my “important” external contacts. Thomaz used to be a lot wilder and even uncontrollable. He wouldn't hesitate to push a client into the swimming pool if the person showed a big ego and was too demanding. That's what you got after flying halfway around the world! Again I'm thinking of Bala Sai Baba here. Many Many times I would ask him a question telepathically and he would answer verbally or with his actions. But when I looked at him with a happy and grateful smile on my face, the man Bala Sai Baba had no idea why I was happy and grateful! He did not consciously answer my question. Again, it is the energy operating operating through him while the ego is oblivious to it. Only when you are like a child, when you act in an uncontrolled and inappropriate way, can the energy work through you. Otherwise you simply wouldn't do or say certain things because they seem incomprehensible. For example, if you have no idea that you're answering a question that was asked telepathically by one of the people present. This sure is unsettling for an alert, controlling ego! The playful child instead swims on the waves of the energy without reflecting what they are doing. Well, Well, finally we're we're getting to my report of day 2. I arrived at 7 p.m. and we immediately started with the mentalisation on the patio. There were three large cushions and the three of us (Christine, Thomaz and I) lay there glancing at the stars while Thomaz spoke. It was quite a long dialogue and it would have been easy to drift away with my thoughts, but I was determined to make the most of every moment. I wanted to take in every single word as intensely as possible on a cellular level in order to be prepared for the energy at its full strength. I held the focus and concentration at all times! There was an instance when Thomaz asked us to visualise friends or relatives who were suffering from
illnesses and then visualise them healthy and vital! I visualised my son’s huge mole diminishing more and more and finally disappearing. I had already arranged for an appointment with a medical doctor one week after my return from Brazil. The mole was as thick as my finger and was extremely disturbing. Well, Well, guess what. When I got home home it was was gone and now now there is only a flat, small, brown mark left, just as I had visualised it! The rest was gone! I was almost in shock and delighted at the same time. I became aware that I still underestimated the power of the mentalisation because of Thomaz being so plain and low key.
Small, interesting diversions On the first day I brought Thomaz a little gift, which I gave to him straight away. I had my children's book “Mom, who is God?”11 translated into Portuguese especially for him. He read it straight away and was enthusiastic about it and rejoiced in his very typically childlike, lively and naive way. He expressed that the philosophy of the story was the same as in his mentalisation. Then he talked about his fondness for beautiful German castles and how he would like to own one. I also like them and had “coincidentally” bought a mouse pad at the airport before my departure with an illustration of Schloss Linderhof, a magnificent castle in Bavaria. I had the feeling that I bought it for Thomaz and so I gave it to him the second day. Again he not only looked at it, but fully immersed himself in every detail for about 10 minutes. I really admire his ability to be totally present in the moment. It was a special honour that he then showed me his collection of soft toys. It is amazing. He collects anything that moves or sings. A dog with a hat that sings “I'm singing in the rain”, another is a Salsa dancer that shouts out “arriva”, a duck sings Oktoberfest Oktoberfest songs and so on... I'm always up for being silly and goofy and in no time we were sitting on the floor and having the toys sing at the same time! It was wonderful chaos and I adored all of his toys!
11
“Mom, who is God” is only available through the shop on my website www.baerbelmohr.de
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I never wasted a thought about when the “important energisation” would finally get started. It was clear that me that trying to control things won't even work in normal life, much less in a place like this. So my controlled decision was not to try and control things.
The jumping coins And that that paid off off big time! In great great spirits we we cheerfully cheerfully went to the room that is set aside for the energisations. We We sat down at at the table table in the hallwa hallway y. Thomaz asked me to take about 15 coins into my cupped hands. He concentrated on the energy and sent it into my hands. Suddenly it all started! At first the air seemed se emed to get thicker and started to glimmer. Then the coins seemed to come alive! They started moving in my hands. They slid back and forth and jumped up and down! It felt like they were charged with energy and couldn't sit still anymore. They even stood upright in the palm of my hand! At times it felt like they had all come alive and started playing, just like anything with Thomaz is playful! pl ayful! So the coins were jumping up and down in my hands. We We took our time and I was able to thoroughly thoroughly enjoy that somewhat strange feeling! He then asked me to visualise a coin folding in the middle and another one transforming into a wave shape. Just like with the bracelet he gave me a few minutes earlier. As soon as he said that, that, one of the coins coins jumped - bosh bang - into the desired form and folded up! It didn't fold up slowly or anything, it was one quick movement. Whoosh, fold fold and done! done! We We looked looked at the other other coins in my hands and found one turned into a wave shape! You can find the photos I was allowed to take on my website www.baerbelmohr.de. He asked me to take only those two coins in my hand and mentally join him in energising them. They were supposed to slide into each other and the folded one would then “grab” the other one and hold tight. It took a while, but it was very exciting for me. I could feel the energy rising as the two coins started coming to life again. They moved toward each other and danced around in circles. They were still in my hand and Thomaz never touched me! The coins kept jumping past each other, so finally Tomaz grabbed them and put them close together. They now lay in the palm of my hand and he asked God to interlock them. You You should have have been there. It was simply aw awesome esome and the most unbelievable feeling of the entire trip for 54
me! I looked at the two coins in my hand and saw and felt how one of them “bit” the other and gripped it tightly. I could feel how much force the coin used to grip the other one. It felt like the power of several tons! The biting coin hugged the other one tightly and formed itself in such a way that their surfaces were flat against each other! Remember that the other coin was formed in a wave-like fashion! The force felt so intense. I got the impression that the top coin would melt into the bottom one! I saw and felt each movement – it was a breathtaking sight! Finally it was done and I picked the coins up. They were completely glued together! But that wasn't the end of it. Thomaz sent even more energy into my new pendant and asked me to imagine it being magnetic. I was supposed to visualise that the magnetic pendant was able to pick up the other coins from the table. I liked that! To feel more of the power of this energy and play with it! Yippee! It worked well and I was able to pick up eight coins with the pendant. But the coins fell down as soon as I started laughing. Thomaz told me off and asked me to concentrate again. He then grabbed my camera and took dozens of pictures while I continued to play with the energy, lifting up coins using the power of my imagination and the energy! Thomaz screamed and shouted out loud like a kid: “Look, look! You're doing it! I'm trying to get your camera going and I’m not even concentrating on the coins anymore! You're doing it all by yourself! And, wow, I thought two or three would be great but you're picking up eight! Stop, stop, let me adjust the camera...”. “Stop, stop” brought me under pressure and the whole thing broke down. But it just felt too good! I kept imagining the power and Tomaz again put more energy in it. Thus we managed to get another session going and Thomaz took a couple of great pictures! He asked me to keep practicing, but I had problems believing it would work without his help and support. On the other hand I knew: “What you believe is true...”.
Further miracles Then he showed me how to bend spoons and forks. You won't bend them yourself. You simply hold the spoon between your fingers and turn it swiftly at its neck. You're You're thinking: “Spiral, spiral! Spoon get twisted, spoon get twisted!” I took a series of pictures – in different stages. The first twist appeared below his fingers, while the rest of the spoon was still straight. Two or three twists later and
the neck was a complete spiral. He then took another spoon, twisted it in one hand and sent energy with the other: “RAAA!!! Another shape, please!” Only one twist was enough and the spoon turned into a completely different shape! I was eagerly taking pictures and brought all of these things twisted in front of my eyes back to Germany. Tomaz broke one fork in two pieces by simply holding it between two fingers and a lot of “RAAAs”. He didn’t even move his hands. That was the end of the coin and spoon-fork show. Next was perfume. The day before, I felt the dampness in the middle of his finger as if he was sweating perfume! Today I was allowed to look at his fingers and hands. Both hands were absolutely dry before he started. He sent energy into his own hands and I could see how the first little drops built up at his fingertips! More and more perfume leaked from his pores and suddenly the entire hand was filled with perfume. The scent was very strong! When more had accumulated, he took a small perfume glass and let the liquid drip into it. Sometimes it would literally drip, at other times there was a small jet of perfume! The whole time I sat close to Thomaz and was able to witness how the liquid formed from his fingers and hands. Several times he would turn his hand around for me to see that there was nothing in it, but that wasn’t necessary because I could see with my own eyes how it poured out of areas that had been dry as a bone before… I took many pictures of that as well. Unfortunately he doesn't appreciate filming very much. But the photos are really impressive - at least to me!
my third eye (the point between the eyebrows). Both of us yelled out in surprise and Thomaz leapt backwards. We We were were freaked freaked out and and nervously nervously shared shared what what we had had seen. I'm certain Thomaz experiences such phenomena all the time, but he still loves it and jumps around like a little kid whenever it happens. Thomaz's perception was that the pillar of light went straight into my body. “Wait! We'll try something else!” (By the way, we communicated in a mix of English, Portuguese and German). He lay down next to me on the couch and took my hand while his other hand was high up in the air: “God, I have a very special guest here today. An angel, a new friend. If it is possible, please send her light…show her more of your beautiful lights...” (Each and every guest is very special for him – he has a very loving nature). Then he yelled out enthusiastically: “RAAA, have you seen it?” No, I didn’t see anything this time. I told him that I had seen the previous phenomena only with my eyes shut. I closed my eyes and asked him to try again. “Yippee!” I yelled out in glee! This time with my eyes shut I saw a large, colourful ball of light shoot over Thomaz's head. But this time Thomaz didn’t see it. He was not quite satisfied. We agreed to shout out “RAAA!” when either of us saw a light, so we would know immediately whether we saw the same thing. Thomaz asked me to keep my eyes open this time. He encouraged me to concentrate – it must work with open eyes. I gave my very best. I imagined every single cell participating in that game with my heart wide open. I asked for the best to happen to my highest good and mentally invited the light again. I asked to be able to see it with my eyes open.
Balls of energy and light We We had done enough magic for the day and went into the room where he did the energisation. I lay down on the couch and he turned off all the lights. There was only a tiny ray of light shining in from the hallway and we could barely see each other's silhouette. The next miracle was about to follow... Just a note for the sceptics: I had neither eaten nor drunk anything. The day before, I saw that shiny, fiery light right in front of my face during the energisation. He talked about it being a good sign and that later I would be able to see even more. That was no exaggeration! This time, a huge red-golden light shot up explosively right in front of my face as soon as he put his finger at
And it actuall actually y worked worked this time! Both of of us saw saw a huge, glowing ball of white and blue light! In my excitement I nearly fell from the couch, and Thomaz was thrilled because the energy was so immense. Then we lost it for a while. Like little kids, we kept playing with our divine universal light balls. When one of us would give thanks for the phenomena the other would already be asking for the next one! Once Thomaz asked for a light for my children and a great big pink ball appeared. The balls were about one metre in diameter and always appeared at a distance of between half and one metre above our heads. Every time we would share what we saw and checked whether it was the same colour. When both of us saw a flash of light, it always had the exact same appearance. 55
Thomaz then wanted to try a new game. He asked me to hold my hands high up in the air. He pleaded to the universal power and God to shine the light directly into my hands. Bang! It worked, and even in the darkness I could clearly see my hands and the rings on my fingers. For a few seconds I held a big ball of light in my hands. A blissful sigh escaped from my my lips and I said: “Thank you so much, universal intelligence for bringing me here!” Whoosh, another huge white blue globe appeared above my head. This heavenly answer left me jubilant and Thomaz asked what was going on. This time he hadn’t seen the ball. He had been relaxing with his eyes shut for a while. I shared my experience with him and he was excited that I was already able to create the balls of light by myself! He said I was very special and one day he would take me with him into such a light ball. I have to let you know that he sometimes happens to disappear for two weeks inside these lights. Upon his return he is all fired up and charged with energy. I would rather go for only two days because of the children but that shouldn't be a problem, he said: “Everything “Everything is possible when the time is right…” Christine later shared with me that there is no guarantee for seeing those light balls. Not even in Thomaz's individual energisation sessions. It requires the ability of opening up and having faith. Otherwise you won't see anything, no matter how many balls of light are summoned by Thomaz. Obviously you can see them with your 'third eye' and not with the physical eye, which I already realised the first day when it didn’t matter how tightly I shut my eyes – the light remained just as dazzling. Back home in Germany I have heard that other clients used the flashes of light as an oracle. They would ask a question and take it as positive answer whenever they saw a flash of light afterwards. I didn't have any questions so we just played with the light. Recently somebody told me that he saw similar flashes of light at group drug sessions. I forgot to ask whether everyone saw the same colour, or whether everyone is on their own private trip and sees their own thing. I suspect that it is the latter. Anyone who knows me, knows that drugs are not for me. The caffeine in green tea is already too for me, and it’s not something that I like to have in my body. Finally the session was over and Thomaz called for Christine. There was so much we had to share with her! 56
Thomaz was very happy and said that very rarely was there so much energy when a guest was present. He was very enthusiastic! Imagine how I felt. This journey was absolutely worth the effort! Back home in Germany I am often asked whether Thomaz works with God, universal intelligence or even E.T.s. I have no idea and I couldn't care less as long as I enjoy the energy e nergy.. I am quite certain though that – whether it is universal intelligence or extraterrestrials - they do not examine Thomaz when he has visitors. They have known him for a long while already. The one being examined is the visitor, and they are being checked for how much energy they are able to bear. And bear. And I suppose neither neither God nor any extraterrestrial being would care how much money you spend to see Thomaz, even if it was a million dollars per session. The million would only pay for the opportunity that is offered to us when we are in his presence. It's up to us to make use of it. Well, Well, I almost forgot forgot about the sugar... sugar... Thomaz also forgot all about it. Right before I was about to leave, he remembered and we went back into the energisation room. He opened two of the packets of sugar from the hotel, which I still had in my pocket, and poured the sugar onto a piece of paper. Next to it he placed my perfume (the perfume that he materialized for me a little earlier. He yelled a lot of “RAAAs” and the sugar crystals turned into icing sugar! The colour changed from white to a beautiful deep yellow! Anyway Anyway,, it wasn't supposed to be with me. I forgot it in their house... So much for my personal experience. My “emotional highlight” was the “biting” coin that melted into the other one. The “visual highlight” was the perfume dripping from the pores of his fingertips and, of course, the strong flashes of light that both of us saw at the same time in the same colour!
More information on Thomaz In addition to my personal perception, I got a lot of information from Christine. She told me, for example, that Thomaz has been scrutinised, tested and filmed for decades by scientists from all over the world! This is one of the reasons for his frustration when people completely focus on the phenomena he creates. He would prefer having them want to learn how to activate their own healing powers! He feels that he has
been tested enough by now. But obviously there are miles of difference between reading and experiencing the energy e nergy.. Let me give you a few examples given by Christine, and from a book written by a Canadian scientist in 1988: Thomaz has built a sculpture called “The Peace Warrior”, which is made up of approximately 4,000 individual parts (you may look it up on my website). The sculpture has inner organs, eyes, nose, ears, and even chakras. The single parts are interconnected by rings and similar. He did not drill the holes for the rings, but simply concentrated on having them and they appeared. The sculpture was measured by scientists, who discovered that it contains certain kinds of energy that are thusfar unknown on Earth. Thomaz is able to produce any fragrance once the energy is strong enough in that particular situation. He once reproduced Chanel No. 5, and a French scientist took it to Chanel’s laboratories in France. They were flabbergasted and said that they could never produce it that pure!
come to see him. Every day he walks past the pictures sending energy to each and everyone. If you don't have the time or money and still want to see a few miracles, then go ahead and read the books on Christos Drossinakis. Or you can watch the video “Zé” about Brazilian healers. (Copies can be found on the Internet via Google.) One of the healers states he simply has got to heal or else he would go insane. He would be unable to concentrate, would be without orientation and wouldn’t feel good. As long as he offers his body to the healing of beings that operate through him on a regular basis, he’s fine when he himself is then in his own body. This is an interesting comment and makes it clear why it isn’t necessarily desirable to be a medium. Anyone wanting more information about the energies that are perhaps active here and why can find this in an article on “sub-levels…” in my free online magazine. Information on other mediums with similarly weird and wonderful abilities is to be found on my homepage, in my free online magazine.
After-effects of the trip Once the energy is right, he can turn almost anything into almost anything else. Obviously this is not reproducible at all times since the energy is not always right. Some time ago he gave a special birthday present to his sister. He turned a cleaning rag into gold and made a bracelet from it without even touching it. His sister had it checked by a jeweller and he confirmed that it was pure gold even though it felt very light. Thomaz is able to heal completely damaged bones – unless it's his own for which he needs a cast. For whatever reason, he simply can't heal himself. I find that very human because many people know the phenomenon of being able to help others but not themselves. There are countless healing stories and he knows the crème de la crème of Brazilian scientists and doctors. A client from Sao Paulo once asked for help with his diabetes. Both legs were already black and he was scheduled for amputation. Thomaz was able to heal him and in return the wealthy client gave him a patio and swimming pool. Thomaz owns a lot of land and there are several chalets on his lot for his grown children or his ex wife whenever they come to visit. Then there is a never-ending, roofed walkway with thousands of pictures on the walls. It was built for the pictures of all those who have
When I returned returned home I sent this report to all friends and acquaintances, who I felt might enjoy it. Today I had a call from Clemens. He said he needed to share something with me because he bought an additional colour printer. Ever since he installed the new device, he had a problem with his other printer! Even after a few days of fumbling and trying, it simply wouldn't work anymore. Then he read my report about Thomaz and thought: “Well, that basically means that anything goes. Why not my PC! I hereby place an order with the universe and ask for help to make those two printers work properly!” Saying this he went to sleep. The next morning both his printers worked just fine without him changing anything with the setup!! He called me in delight when he saw that they even managed to print large numbers of sheets without a problem. Obviously my children are quite impressed with my reports and the twisted kid's spoons Thomaz asked me to give them. They asked me how he did that. I told them that Thomaz sometimes would close his eyes, feel inside and ask God to help him do something. I felt that they would understand that. Two days later I found my 5-year-old twins with their 5-year-old friend talking about whether or not it would snow again this winter. It was February 2007 and we're 57
having an extremely mild winter. I said that most people would probably love some snow, but there was no guarantee of it.
You are light and love
“Then we have to ask God,” my daughter said. So she closed her eyes and asked. Her friend said: “Good idea! I’ll also ask. You should be very still and listen to the inner voice.” My son joined in and in no time they all had found God to say YES! We We would indeed get more more snow!
What two important scientists have to say…
The next night in their bedrooms. My daughter now announced that she would talk to her guardian angel. She sat still, closed her eyes and listened inside. After a little while she shouted: “My guardian angel has talked to me!” Barbel: “What was it?” Daughter: “Love your like.” Barbel: “Sounds interesting.” My son:” What does it mean?” Daughter: “I will ask!” Again she closed her eyes, checked in and shouted out enthusiastically: “He says it means 'Love your body'!” Son: “Did you also see your guardian angel?” Daughter: “No, I just felt him.” Incidentally, my children have also now got to know Thomasz, and this was even wilder than my own experience. It would clearly go to far to report on this too. In any case, Thomas says that children are even less sceptical and that they unite such experiences purely with pleasure, ease and laughter. This is why much more is possible. Observing mothers profit at the same time. Why hav have e I reported reported on all of this this in such detail? detail? Either so that you can come to the conclusion that I am sadly completely crazy, clueless, suffer from hallucinations or similar… or else, if the described events are actually true, then they provide evidence for that which Max Planck and Bruce Lipton express at the start of the following chapter: Namely, that our world is built up out of mind and consciousness and not from some kind of solid matter. And if this were the case, what would happen as a result?
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“As a physicist, in other words as a man who has spent his whole life serving rational science, namely research into matter, I am certainly not somebody who could be called a romanticist. Therefore, after my research into atoms, I tell you this: There is no such thing as matter per se! All matter is developed and exists through a power, which causes the atomic particles to move and which holds them together in the atom’s minute solar system. However, since there is no such thing as an intelligent or eternal power in the entire universe, we must assume that there is a conscious, intelligent spirit. This spirit is the ultimate source of matter! It is not the visible yet transient matter that is the actual, true, real thing, but rather it is the invisible, eternal spirit that is the real thing! However, we spiritual beings must urgently accept that the spirit cannot exist in isolation but rather that every spirit is attached to a being. However, since this spiritual being cannot create itself, but rather has to be created, I am not afraid to name this secretive creator – just as he has been named by all of the Earth’s civilized people of earlier millennia: God. So my venerable friends, you see how, in our days in which the spirit is no longer believed to be the source of all creation and in which we are alienated from God, it is the very smallest and most invisible of things that leads the truth out of the grave of materialistic matter madness and opens the door to the lost and forgotten world of the spirit.”
Max Planck “In the universe defined by Newtonian Physics, atoms are made out of smaller physical particles such as electrons, protons and neutrons. However, a hundred years ago the founders of Quantum Physics altered our view of reality when they revealed the atom's particles were actually swirling vortices of immaterial energy similar to subatomic tornados. Atoms are made out of the same invisible energy forces that permeate space and the environment in which we live. These invisible forces comprise what scientists call “the Field”. In describing the field's relation to physical matter, Albert Einstein remarked, “The Field is the sole governing agency of the particle.“ Simply, the invisible moving forces of the field control the expression of matter. While physicists physicists refer refer to the invisible moving forces forces as the Field, theologians refer to the same invisible moving forces that shape our world as “Spirit” or “God”. Human civilization is finally experiencing the
grand convergence of science and religion, from which will emerge a new, life-enhancing philosophy that can save our world.”
Bruce Lipton Bruce H. Lipton is a cytologist, professor and bestselling author of “The Biology of Belief”. This is an excerpt his foreword for my children’s book “Mom, Who is God?” We We are all part part of a field of of consciousness consciousness We We all comprise of invisible moving forces of this field of consciousness; we are part of it. There isn’t any really firm matter in any part of us. We We are part of a field in which everything everything is interconnected. In reality, our seemingly material existence merely consists of light particles and conscious field power, power, which moves these. You You comprise light lig ht particles. You You are part of this conscious field, which keeps these particles of light moving and creates the impression of matter. “It sounds logical, but I am not aware of any of it,” a target group test reader said recently. “If I am part of a conscious spirit, if Max Planck is right and there is a kind of creator consciousness – I prefer not to call it God, since this reminds me very much of the punishing God of religions – but if the origin of my being has an eternal consciousness, then I must be able to communicate that with it. How can I do that?” Perhaps we do this the whole time and don’t even notice it! By talking to myself, I am talking with the original creation for I am part of the same.
like the weather in Germany. At the same time, she is God and the weather is also God, which means that she doesn’t like herself very much. Hugo thinks that his neighbours and street in which he lives are stupid. But he is God, the street is God and the neighbours are God. Here is another God, who is rejecting his own godliness and his own creation. This is the ultimate consequence of that which was previously explained by Max Planck and Bruce Lipton. How can I remember who I am, if this is really true? How can I feel reconnected with the Field, which makes my physical existence possible as well as that of everything surrounding me? The more your reject in the world, the more you are rejecting of creation, and ultimately of yourself. A Field, a consciousness, consciousness, a pudding that is swinging and wobbling together; be against this Field and in reality you are against yourself. Reconnecting with the original creation means to reconcile yourself with all that this Field has created. With all of the disasters in the world. Each and everything comprises the same Field powers, the same particles of light and the same consciousness, which holds everything together. The more you reject, the more parts of original creation you are rejecting. Reconcile yourself with everything and you will come closer to universal consciousness. There is no reason to complain about George Soros (see the start of the book). He can only do what he does because the collective consciousness of everyone feeds conditions, which makes stock market rackets possible. If he were against the evil stock exchange, he would never achieve the consciousness to use them as he pleases.
“You want to see God? Go and look in a mirror!” Somebody channelled this. I have forgotten who it was, since I tend to be sceptical of channellings. However, some of them are good and that is a really good saying. If I look in the mirror and talk to myself, then a part of the original creation (a part that has become human) is talking to itself. Only, it is no longer aware of what it is. This is as though God has changed himself into little Erna and little Hugo. God then stands in front of a mirror and talks to himself. In other words, little Erna and little Hugo stand in front of a mirror and ask where God is…??! And the more things that God doesn’t like about himself, the more he/she/it forget themselves. Erna doesn’t
Whenever YOU are against something, you never achieve the consciousness to be independent of it and therewith to live as you please. The same possibly applies to all heads of government, who are a thorn in our sides. They too are just an expression of collective consciousness. Imagine that you are cloned ten thousand times and were in possession of a country of your own. Then, along comes some tyrant and tells the ten thousand “you’s”, that he is the boss here. I assume that you wouldn’t let this happen, would you? If he doesn’t behave, he will end up on an isolated island, where he has to look after himself and is left to get on his own nerves. A tyrant is only able to govern a country in which the collective consciousness of the population allows it. He is a visible expression of the same. 59
Therefore, there is no need to complain about tyrants, but rather to take care of one’s own consciousness and infect other people with it. If you are sufficiently strong in your own consciousness and your own personality, if you live out your inner abundance, then there will be no place within your family for a tyrant. Then there also won’t be a place within your company. Then you won’t make business or work together with such people. This wouldn’t be compatible with your inner abundance. And if, as a result of your function as a role model, increasing numbers of people discover their own inner abundance, then your country will no longer be governed by anybody who lacks inner abundance of their own. However, irrespective of whether within the family, within the company or within the country, country, you do not develop the power to do this by rejecting the prevailing situation, but rather by reconciling yourself with it. Reconciliation with what is currently happening is reconciliation with original creation. Something exists, therefore it has been created. It is futile and exhausting to be against it. Reconciliation generates faster, more unproblematic and more holistic changes then being against something. (Remember the example of Rüdiger Nehberg and the genital mutilation.)
If you are light and love, this means being in agreement with original creation and all that it is. Your personal power of creation and the power to change grows from this. If you love everything as it is, you no longer reject everything. You are then closest to universal oneness and to the oneness of all of your powers. You You will not become a powerful creator creator of your life by rejecting as much as possible, but rather by loving creation as a complete work of art – irrespective of whether you understand it or not. In art, it is almost always the case that you never really know what the artist actually wanted to say. View your creation as a work of art. You do not have to understand it completely, in order to be able to love it. In the media there is discussion concerning upon which level of complexity the quantum effect ceases to exist. Perhaps it never ceases to exist? Think of Ho’oponono, Thomaz from Brazil and also your own life: how often has life started to create opportunities when you have barely formulated a clear inner intention? Your intention has an impact upon the Field. And the Field is creative. Let’s take a final multiple choice test: A) Bärbel is crazy, crazy, she simply doesn’t understand understand it properly B) Yes, well… it certainly makes me think. I think I’ll go for a walk and let it sink in. c) Halleluja, that’s just what I’ve always been saying! 60
Irrespective of whether you have chosen A, B or C, you get 100 points in each case. For you are the boss of your own reality and everything is just a stimuli for your individual discovery of your own inner truth. Perhaps this is a good point to briefly close your eyes and feel within yourself. Discover that which is innocent, childlike, and in tact within you. The origin of being of every person is pure love (light and the moved Field). The source never needs to be healed because it can never get sick – neither physically, psychologically, energetically or any other way. And the more you connect with this eternal, childlike and sacred elementary power within yourself, the healthier and happier and the more powerful – in a completely new way - your earthly being will be.
A compulsive spending spree – or making a free decision to buy? Do you occasionally suffer from compulsive shopping attacks? If so, read the following appendix as a first aid remedy for compulsive shopping risks. The average German is said to spend - on average average – 110 110 percent of his salary each month, the average American allegedly even 120. At least ONE problem you needn’t worry about. Assuming you’re among the target audience for this book. Experts estimate that a major portion of our gross national product can be attributed to frustration shopping. And that applies to everyone everyone with more money than needed for necessities. Lower classes own more T-shirts than needed, upper classes more Ferraris than needed, or they have the fuselage of their private jet gold plated because the brilliant shine looks so chic. The masses are as susceptible to compulsive shopping attacks as those who profit from compulsive shopping attacks of the masses. Already, Already, in the U.S. and Canada, there are self-help
groups modelled after Alcoholics Anonymous. They call themselves Shopaholics Anonymous. According According to the Internet (you’ll find a lot with search strings like “frustration shopping”), the first European study on compulsive shopping was conducted as early as 1989 by Stuttgart-Hohenheim University. A conservative estimate back then put the percentage of population affected by “shopping problems of this kind” at around 15 to 20 percent. My own “housewife” survey among acquaintances resulted in more drastic drastic findings. Sample responses: “20 percent? Nonsense! Everyone suffers from that at least to some degree.” “Hello, what? These guys are dreaming. I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t have more stuff at home then they can possibly use.” “In that case I am definitely one of the 20 percent…” One early-retired gentleman, sounding slightly offended: “You know I’d love to have some of those problems. But I can’t afford that kind of thing. At times I don’t even have enough left for food…” His sister, cutting him short: “But only by the end of the month. Just look at your silly collection of semi-precious stones and minerals! What on earth do you need all this stuff for? Some of these stones are still in their original paper bags from whenever you bought them.” A bailiff once told me how he often finds deliveries from mail order houses in their original packaging at homes where he is sent to impound things. People find things in a catalogue, the compulsive shopping habit attacks and by the time this stuff finally arrives they have long lost interest. According According to him, most of the time time there are few few actual actual valuables to confiscate. Instead he occasionally discovers a few blue trash bags stuffed with clothes for which there was no room in the wardrobe. However, the person concerned could not help but buy them anyway. If you are among those affected by compulsive shopping habits (I definitely am, at least a little bit), naturally you handle it differently: for instance, you add a subterranean marble garage for all those precious Ferraris. Read “God on a Harley“ by Joan Brady. After reading for an hour or so you get the feeling you want to rid yourself of ballast. One tip on dealing with compulsory shopping habits the bailiff suggested (even bailiffs are human beings;
this particular one had participated in one of my seminars) can also be found in the Stuttgart-Hohenheim University study: Each month you are supposed to schedule a clean-up day and make a list of everything you own. Besides each item, in a separate column, you are to note the last time you actually used it! You are to carry the completed list in your wallet at all times. You may wind up needing a bigger wallet, or better still, a wheel barrow! When you realise that you already own 300 pair of shoes, and you haven’t even worn 202 of them in two years, maybe it gets easier to pass on buying pair number 301, which you will never wear either! By the way, compulsive clothes shopping (buying pieces you‘ll never wear) can be reduced drastically by visiting Herta Hirt once in a lifetime. Herta offers a special kind of colour consultation. She sees a fixed kind of basic aura around around people, including its colours. According According to Herta, this layer layer never never changes. changes. By wearing clothes of the same colour found in the basic aura, you strengthen your body’s energy field, its inner power and vibes. And: decisions become a lot easier when shopping for clothes, while at the same time reducing them drastically. Among her 4000 plus clients, Herta Herta reports, reports, none so far shared an identical colour combination! On my homepage, www.baerbelmohr.de, you’ll find an article about this topic in the free magazine. To reach Herta directly go to: http://www.lebensfarben.eu In summary, the study mentioned earlier concludes that individuals suffering from compulsive shopping habits shop for consumer goods and services during attacks. attacks. They give in to an irresistible urge experienced as overpowering their free will all the way to loss of self-control. Shopping is experienced as the only way to satisfaction, as in most addictions, with a tendency to ever increasing dosages. Some experience shopping as a tranquilliser, others as a stimulant. In each case it produces feelings of euphoria and plugs holes in the soul and feelings of emptiness. Frequently, shopping is experienced as a symbol for independent, competent decision-making as well as a symbol of abundance and intense living. In most cases, lack of self-esteem is the root cause. Yes indeed, lack of self-esteem, regardless of the magnitude of the shopping compulsion. 61
Goodbye compulsive shopping habit OK, so what do we want? If someone like Camilla, the second wife of Prince Charles in England, wears a new dress each day, but – oh disgrace – wears the same shoes with it three times, immediately the paper reports on it. After all, how dare she?
What do you use for orientation? Are you sure it is YOUR taste, that which truly pleases you from the bottom of your soul, or are there other influences involved?!
Psychological backgrounds
And what about you? Do you need another helicopter since you only have three of them and none are green?
Let’s take a closer look at this compulsive buying hypothesis:
Can you still be sure you are doing this out of your free will, or have you just turned into a victim of your own media institutions? Or can you smilingly ignore whatever the press reports about your shoes and helicopters?
All life is subject to rhythms rhythms and wave-like wave-like alternating alternating phases of quiet and activity. Thus we have day and night, summer and winter, ebb and flow and so on. And within our body we have something like an organ clock. Each organ has its very private cycles of activity day or night. Eating late in the evening is hard to digest because our dietary tract rests during the night and the body wants to detoxify. There are studies on the human ability to concentrate, which parts of the day are best suited to learning, what time our attention span decreases according to natural rhythms. A cycle repeating itself day after day.
And what what about about manipula manipulation tion by by others others or peer groups? groups? Whatever you are buying, is it truly expressing you as an individual, or is it just an urge of wanting to belong? Make no mistake. Luxury is fine. I love to indulge – occasionally. The question remains, do I buy certain things because I truly admire the beauty of the creation and of the power of human craftsmanship in them? Is it my sense of aesthetics or are these purchases to compensate for inner emptiness? The former I find great, using money to increase beauty in the world. What a shame, as mentioned, if there were no Neuschwanstein Castle. In an ideal scenario, all who help create it are compensated fairly; I can truly enjoy it, and, if appropriate, even delight in sharing my joy with others. On the other hand, if I merely sit around feeling worried to death in my Neuschwanstein Castle, no doubt, I would have been better off attending survival training! For example, Taormina, Sicily, is a place of joy for me since it is so abundant in beauty. In earlier days, Italy’s wealthy built their winter homes there. So I certainly do not wish to stop you from adding beauty to the world. My only concern: do it in a way that benefits you. Most likely, that way the rest of the world will be able to share in your joy too! If not right away, then perhaps in a hundred years from now. By contrast, some of the architectural prizes awarded today are not really a source of joy for anybody. Not today, not in a hundred years. And in some cases it seems more appropriate to receive a two-year jail term along with the award. Who ever thought of THAT can hardly be free of compensations and complexes of all kinds. At least that’s what I conjure up. But perhaps my taste is simply antiquated. 62
I want to stress here that it‘s erroneous to assume that the natural resting phase of humans is at night, and that by day we are basically supposed to be active all the time. We We have have forgotten how to replenish energy reserves reserves in rest phases during the day and to appreciate them; instead we subconsciously equate them with death. Anyone Anyone not consistently able to perform and be active is seen as obviously unfit for this world. We picture life as permanent activity on the outside. We We miss enjoying quiet moments of stillness. Honestly: when was the last time you consciously savoured a moment of quiet lasting more than 15 minutes? Withdrawing, being close to ourselves, being aware of ourselves and appreciating outer rest phases during the day are all part of life. Instead we have come to see hectic, stress and rushing around as symbols of ability to cope and of life. Making time for inner reflection scares many of us. Who knows, knows, we might sense ourselves ourselves and potentially risk thinking about meaning and purpose in our life. Ah! Now Now we are are getting closer to the hot hot potato. potato. We We need to keep ourselves ourselves busy, busy, constantly doing new things to avoid sensing ourselves. And just how do we do that? Why, shopping of course! Using compulsive shopping, we try to resist natural cycles of life, alternating activity and stillness.
Hence, the greater joy of personal development and true closeness to friends and family are poison to com pulsive shopping habits. habits. “Yuk,” said the compulsive shopping habit when dad and son donned rubber boots and skipped through puddles together. “If only they wore sporty silver boots. And why oh why aren’t they playing the brand new puddle computer game instead? At least they’d score points for all that skipping. Besides: jumping into puddles is something their great grandparents would do. Totally outdated, hasn’t been ‘in’ since the Stone Age. Don’t they feel ho pelessly old-fashioned and and musty? “Ugh! Disgusting,” nauseated the compulsive shopping habit when Elfi sat down, placed her hand on her heart and simply felt how she was doing just now. “First she should shampoo her hair, put on conditioner, a decent hair spray and then shop for a new perfume and another pair of sexy-looking shoes. She’ll never find a husband like that…” “I feel so weak,” the compulsive shopping habit whis pered appalled when the friends went for a sunrise walk together, hugged trees and later played a game of chess. An entire day wasted without the faintest thought of buying something. How about sugar bread, ice coffee… or at least a movie ticket? “Poor gross national product,” sighed the compulsive shopping habit. “They didn’t even bring a mobile phone. How are we supposed to generate revenue that way?”
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Exercises
It won’t be many. But you will find how the joy of discovering even one lasts a lot longer than having windowshopped a hundred stores. Ah! Got it?!
Exercise 1: Inter-personal closeness
We We neutralise compulsive shopping habits with little experiences of human interaction.
Have you ever visited America? Not to worry, we don’t want to go there hoping to find solace in the fact that they are even worse. Rather, let’s learn from a positive American trait trait and and expand on on that. that. Americans are usually aw aware are of other people around them. Here, especially in Germany, we definitely don’t have that skill. Or has anyone ahead of you in the supermarket checkout line ever greeted you in a friendly tone and told you how the flowers are now blooming nicely in the city park? If so, were you not thinking this individual must have escaped from a lunatic asylum, was not quite there or maybe he just wanted to flirt with you?
Should you find this exercise too challenging, go to the railway station instead and look for people needing help. Carrying a suitcase up or down, lifting a stroller somewhere, things like that. In return, you will be assured of a friendly smile, and on occasion you may even get to exchange a sentence or two before the person rushes on their way. Given a little practice you’ll reach a point where you are able to sweep through any given crowd and, within seconds, effortlessly identify people whose life rhythm is a little bit more relaxed and peaceful than that of the rest. You can chat chat with them about God and the world, even though you never met before.
Or imagine a sales person in Germany greeting you with: “Hello love, how are you this morning?” Most German customers would find that suspicious enough to never dare go back there! Do YOU chat with people sitting next to you in the airport departure lounge? Here, it’s an unspoken rule that it’s not the done thing. Americans, on the other hand, are conditioned conditioned to have a little chat with everyone. On the downside, this runs so deep that they can do it half asleep. We therefore perceive them as superficial, even though being aware of – and talking to – fellow human beings is quite wonderful. And there there lies our opportunity in Germany Germany. We We can’t do it half asleep because it is: a) unheard of for ourselves, and b) unheard of and shocking for others around us So we need to be alert and aware when we want to hunt for people who will return our smile, whom we can talk to, to , however briefly. Understood, ok, most faint hearts will run or suspect that you escaped from the madhouse or else that you are senile. But don’t be mislead. Simply sit in the pedestrian area and practise recognising on passers-by those faces ready to return your smile with enough innocence and joy to exchange a few words with you in a relaxed relaxed and innocent manner. Without suspecting an ulterior motive, a clumsy come-on or anything else. 64
And once word word about this this exercise exercise has gotten gotten around around – and how much money one can save in the process – a time will come when things are reversed: We We will scan crowds of people peacefully peacefully going about their business and only a few old veterans from the days of stress and war on oneself will still trouble the scene. Whether or not we will live to see this happen remains to be seen, but there’s no harm in dreaming about it is there? Yet Yet another another wa way y to administer “interpersonal “interpersonal closeness” closeness” as a compulsive-shopping-antidote: every time you feel the urge to shop, ask yourself instead how or with whom you could create a pleasant experience of interpersonal closeness. For the sake of this exercise, it doesn’t matter if it’s friends, family or strangers. Interpersonal closeness in stillness and serenity is among the compulsive shopping habits most powerful enemies.
Exercise 2: Reconnecting before purchase Recently I read that every action we repeat five to six times is recorded as an automatism in our subconscious mind. At that point we no longer have to think about it, we act automatically. Typical comment from a shop-aholic: “During a compulsive shopping attack I needn’t worry about immediately buying something I like. Usually I bought it long before I start to think about it. It is anchored deeply inside me as an automatism.”
If we want to change such automatisms, we somehow need to access the subconscious programming and alter it. Best we sneak up on the automatism, jump on it with a fierce battle cry and sit on it until it suffocates. Joking aside, vibrating the quiet undertones within often creates gigantic effects in the outer world. So I will suggest a spiritual exercise to train our perception of subtle vibrations: If you agree with the idea that a human being is more than the body vehicle he uses to jet about here and there, and also more than the Ego with it’s seemingly oh so logical mind, then surely this exercise will be for you. As far as I am concerned, I assume that a human being has an eternal soul to connect with internally. This basic axiom can be used to attack the compulsive shopping syndrome. Not to save money, of course, why would we? But to reach a feeling of inner freedom and fulfilment. Whenever Whenever we see something that we absolutely absolutely,, immediately want, even though we are far from needing it, presumably this urge originates from a mix of automated anxieties (anxiety of feeling oneself or an inner emptiness) and compensation mechanisms. At any rate, rate, it cannot cannot derive from superior states states of being, the soul or from the sum of the universal consciousness of creation. Personally, I’m prepared to have a broom for lunch if my higher self or soul is interested in knowing if I own 51 or 52 pair of shoes. A shopping urge like that can only originate from far down in the levels of my consciousness. Here’s how I deal with it: Whenever I feel the buying urge, I pause and take a moment to reconnect with the source of my being. Ingenious? You bet! Try it. You’ll love this exercise. Let’s say on the shelf before me sits this super fantastic bric-a-brac (third ice cream today, trouser number 1000 or helicopter number four, four, it doesn’t matter). Before I buy, I pause for a moment and connect with the cosmic power within me. It works the same with closed or open eyes. Simply focus your attention inward on your heart and visualise inhaling the power and love of the cosmos into your heart. When exhaling do nothing. You simply exhale, done. No exhaling bad energy and stuff like that. That would simply feed attention to harmful energies you were not even aware of. You invoke them that way. So don’t do it. In this exercise, you exhale purely to exhale, nothing else. Quite simple really: Every time before you decide on buying something, briefly direct your attention towards
your heart for three breaths and, during inhalation, visualise the power and love of the cosmos entering your entire body via the heart gateway. You You may choose to pay attention attention to your heartbeat heartbeat and visualise how, with every beat, your connection to the source-of-all-that-is gets more amplified and tangible. But this is only a playful option you may try; you don’t have to do it. If by yourself and unwatched at the time the shopping urge arrives, you may also wish to close your eyes and hold your arms sideways, palms up, fingers together. You You then visualise yourself yourself inhaling tangible energy and love from the cosmos through your heart and with your entire body. Three inhalations will do. Now you may again look at the item you wanted to buy. Provided you still remember what it was. It’s simply impossible to sensibly connect with your own soul and the energy of the entire cosmos at the same time as finding it important to buy a lilac-yellow pearl-studded potato peeler, especially when you already own one that works well. After this exercise exercise I often find myself grinning uncontrollably, amused with myself and wondering what I found so important and great about this item or this service just a moment earlier. After three connecting-back connecting-back-to-the-cosmos -to-the-cosmos inhales, if I still want to buy the item, at least the shopping urge is gone and I can agree with myself to make a note of the item, sleep on it and see if I really need it. Next day, before looking at this note, I do the reconnecting-exercise again and thus shop more consciously than ever. Plus, I have more time for myself and for relaxing because there is less stuff to deal with at home. Granted, there is still enough of it as it were and administering it is fun too. Rather than a new dogmatism, I am concerned here with expanding inner freedom. Feeling free from outer or inner coercion is the greatest source of joy there is. Without further ado or therapy, you simply breathe away every compensation particle by connecting with the source of your being. Quasi leaving the level of consciousness where a problem like this could matter. Instead, you connect with higher realms. Naturally fewer problems exist on those, because spirit and love outweigh ego and anxieties there. An interesting interesting side effect of this exercise is that that it generally refines perception in day-to-day life and makes me/you happier. 65
Exercise 3: Healing the compensation Healing the compensation is inseparably connected with self-love. Naturally, we want to love ourselves even though we might be the world’s most compulsive compensation shopper. For I am convinced: Those who love themselves with their weaknesses, no matter how grave, have the power to transform them into strengths! So let’s go. In this exercise, we shall look at the compensation part with a magnifying glass. Suppose we belong to those who more or less shop to find surrogate satisfaction, wouldn’t it be interesting to find out exactly what it is a substitute for - and how to achieve satisfaction of the original wish instead!? Go and do a home inspection, listing all unnecessary items there. Note everything you bought without conscious awareness, driven by subconscious compulsive urges. Remember to include the shoe rack rack and wardrobe, and also tiny things. How about your CD collection? Books, computer, videos, which items don’t you really need, don’t use at all and on closer look, don’t even really want anymore? Remember to include larger items as well: paintings, furniture, vehicles, yachts, vacation homes. Jot it all down on the list. Stop at each item (or a photo or symbol in case of unnecessary necessary trips or services) and tune in to the FEELING this purchase gave you! At the end of the day, day, every one of us is after one thing only: to feel happy. And for that we may love ourselves, even though we took the long way around via compensation shopping, which we now know didn’t bring us the happiness we longed for. Never mind. Don’t be misled. Stop at the item and observe the feeling you experienced when you bought it. And love yourself REGARDLESS of how silly your discoveries may seem to you. And please, don’t ever think of yourself yourself as an outsider because of some strange feelings. No way. We have long realised that it is the same for most of us, even though none dare admit it!
effect has already disappeared. Take the Porsche driver in the first chapter: after three days even the Porsche was merely a vehicle taking him from A – B… In this exercise we explore the main feeling, the one urging us personally to want to go shopping all the time. While similar for everyone, as explained earlier, it does have an individual tint. And that’s why I ask you at this point to start inspecting your home (or as soon as you get home, if you are away right now). Stop at each compulsively bought item, note it and jot down the feeling associated when you purchased it. Examples of what could be part of such a list: • Assorted Buddha- and other statues. Feeling: hope for magical-energetic help through symbols. Not entirely unfounded on one hand. Beautiful symbols visible in our living area certainly can reach our subconscious mind. I do suspect however that I have accumulated a few too many symbols. Individual pieces visually drowned out by sheer quantity. • Expensive collector dolls, really beautiful, high quality with lovely detail and expressive faces. Feeling: substitute for love, security, proximity. • Assorted luxury items: Feeling of abundance, security, power. Or: joy of the items beauty! On this journey of discovery we are not concerned with good or bad, but with self-discovery per se. Enjoying beauty, naturally is a much higher quality than the satisfaction of keeping up with others, for example. Just be honest with yourself, there is no jury and nobody except you ever has to know about it. • In wardrobes, we often find feelings of being especially feminine or masculine and elegant. A simple matter of self-confidence. • Way too much of anything: Feeling: a post-war fear of lack, inherited from grandma. The feeling of urgently needing reserves for safety, just in case these colours, this shape, this something might not be available at some point.
I freely confess that my own list went on page after page and finally I did really great when, in spite of it all, I loved myself for these feelings. I felt like now I was ready to let go a large chunk of it.
• Far too many toys for children. Feeling: a fear of wailing, whining kids and stress when they want too much attention from you.
Now let’s get on with wi th our exercise. Stay relaxed. It’s only a game: all that compensation shopping contributed in some way to helping us to feel satisfied or happy for a brief moment. Or at least that’s how we think it works. In reality, the effect usually lasts only until we are done shopping and by the time we return home most of the
Comment: experience shows that short moments of undivided attention often suffice, soon they will be “fed up” again with mum or dad, off to new shores on their own. Meaning they’ll find something else to play with on their own. In most cases, the fear of being stuck for 24 hours is unfounded.
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Besides, in these “intense moments” we typically get exactly what we had hoped for when buying collector dolls. Other possible feeling: worry over children not learning enough. So we go and buy educational games and experimental kits. Or you enjoy playing with these toys yourself and buy everything you would have liked to have when you were a kid. Tip: add a toy storage and bring things out selectively, one-by-one. The pleas pleasure ure will be much greater that way. way. I think that’s enough examples for now and you had better start examining your own feelings behind compulsive shopping highs. So let’s go. Get up, get some paper and take notes. I’ll stop writing until you have completed your very personal list. So what did you discover? Any feelings you bought more frequently than others, turning up surprisingly often? Some especially often buy love and security, others predominantly self-esteem or, more subtle, feelings of being able to keep up with others and being important. Non-purchase of the latest fashion craze produces anxiety of being “old-fashioned” or not belonging to a society one really doesn’t care for to begin with. How thoughtful to spend money for that. In the final analysis, all are simply subtleties of a purchased sense of self-confidence compared directly directly to neighbours, neighbours, business partners etc. However, distraction, repression, revenge and multitudes of other interesting motivations can also be found when looking behind your own stage set. Is it not almost comforting to know that a large portion of our gross national product wouldn’t even exist were it not for such common neuroses? I mean, we really needn’t worry about an exotic emotional life. We also don’t need anyone telling us that we’re not normal for having feelings and anxieties like these. In fact we are even very normal. Too normal for my liking. If indeed that is the norm, I’d rather distance myself, be a bit abnormal. So what are we going to do with it all? Now we know which feelings we constantly try to purchase: • Self-esteem • Trust there will always be enough • Security • Proximity, safety • Feelings of belonging
• Recognition • Feelings of success • Being able to be proud of something • Feeling of vitality Or negative feelings when not buying, such as: • Worry of being boring or being a “hick” if we don’t buy into this or that trend • Fear of loss of image etc. Jot the most important feelings you discovered discovered on a piece of paper and pin it next to your bed, put it under your nightstand lamp, stick it on the large mirror in your bathroom or something like that. Every morning, pick a feeling and consciously think of a way to produce this feeling non-materialistically today. Since these are your feelings, your anxieties, surely you are the one to come up with the best exercises. Therefore, the following examples are simply intended for inspiration, assistance and support in case you are still a bit short on creativity in this area. :-) ake a commitment to yourself on how long you will be doing this daily exercise. Minimum: one month! Examples:
When brushing teeth in front of the mirror, mirror, your attenattention is drawn to the word “Security”. You wish for the feeling of security. First realise there is no objective security. Even if you had amassed millions, which initially might have somewhat reduced fears of poverty, you have long since realised what new anxieties big fortune can produce. Fear of burglars, conmen and people aiming to rip off your fortune. Worry about wrong investment decisions and managing your fortune, etc. Let me assure you that if you worry about security, you will find something insecure every step of the way. You can even let your worries of insecurity rage by questioning if your friends are sincere or if they just want to use you to make money for themselves. Better forget all about objective security. There is no such thing, we don’t need it, we don’t want it. What we are really after is the feeling of security and we can create that ourselves. Quite easily. Even while brushing teeth you can tune in to what security feels like. How would it feel if you could remodel the entire world exactly as you prefer? 67
What kind of feeling would that be? Where could you feel it, how does it express itself? Deep inside, we all have at least an idea or a memory fragment of such a feeling. Take a good look at that fragment and try to be aware of all the details of where and how this feeling expresses itself in your body, in your perception. Over time, observing it will increase its power. Your intention and focused attention alone will make it grow, even though at first you may think you feel nothing or next to nothing. As a daily exercise exercise you may conjure up a situation you consider safe today and aim to consciously savour this feeling of security in this moment.
• Find the feeling within and observe. • Consciously experience this feeling with something available now. And yes: naturall naturally y it’s ok to work with the same feeling feeling for 2 or 3 days. Each new day you decide which feeling you will deal with mindfully today.
Exercise 4: The creative break
Perhaps you also experience a feeling of security while cooking or washing your car (no matter how long since you last did it, it could be a possibility), when writing letters, arranging or organising things or whatever. Surely there must be something you perceive as relatively secure. Perhaps you feel secure when meeting and speaking with a certain person. Being aware of the feeling of security allows it to grow.
You You are a free free human being with clarity and awar awareness. eness. How else could you be as wealthy as you are? No, probably not. Why not try another experiment with yourself. Survival training surely has to be an interesting experience for everyone. But if that is too much for you right now, why don’t you simply take a break from shopping for a month. For one month abstain from all private purchases whatsoever. whatsoever. The truly daring may choose to expand the experiment even to their business. So now we have an entire month to fill the gaping shopping-void with something else. And I’m not thinking of watching TV to fill it.
While shaving, shaving, combing your hair or doing your morning make-up in front of the mirror, the word “safety” catches catches your attention.
Instead, how about ample visits with friends and invitations? True friends are those who show up even if there is only bread and water left for a meal! ?
Exactly the same game: start by observing the feeling of safety within yourself. Don’t try to expand or increase it. Just observe the fragment that is there. Do this frequently and it will grow by itself quite organically. You You need not not pull or tug tug on it in your your imagination. imagination.
Recently I read two very beautiful sayings in a poetry collection:
Observing, looking, that’s it. Think of something that could make you feel safe today. Maybe its winter right now and you’ve always felt safe and cosy in your fluffiest winter coat. Put it on, even if it’s not that cold really. Put it on and be fully aware of the sense of security that it gives you. Maybe a hot bath reminds you of safe childhood days? Then go ahead and take a hot bath after work. But don’t worry about office stress while you do or the bath will be wasted. Arrange everything about you to make you feel especially safe and able to enjoy the feeling. Which friends convey convey the feeling of being safe to you? Meet one of them. Even if it’s just for tea, for half an hour consciously experience the desired feeling of safety. Then proceed exactly the same with all feelings you retrieved from the stuff you bought. 68
“Truly good friends are those who support us even though they know us well.“ Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach Ebner-Eschenbach “I recognise him as a friend who doesn’t want to entertain me or him, but just sit there.“ Jean Paul Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach lived 1830 – 1916, and Jean Paul Paul even even earlier, earlier, namely 17 1763 - 1825. 1825. Such quotes from wise human beings may be rare in our part of the world. Why? Because the two quotes address feelings we have gradually lost. Our predominantly stressful and fast-paced lifestyle (the need to always ride the crest of the wave, as mentioned) makes us feel we are wasting time if we were to simply sit and hang out with a friend. At the very least one has to talk and exchange information or entertain each other. Anything less appears to be a waste of time.
Personally, frankly, freely, I confess that I too love the fast pace, the wealth of information, the variety, top notch, super. However, sayings like above do arouse the longing to weave that into daily life as well.
• Donations and social activities: stay in personal contact with beneficiary organisations and enjoy the good your money helps bring about (as in Oprah Winfrey example).
• Share some moments, even hours, sitting together and simply being there. • Do things for no reason or purpose, discover, putter or dig around aimlessly with kids or pets. • Hanging out
• Create a heart-list or a collage for yourself with things that really bring you joy. Include everything from all areas you enjoy: friends, dancing, singing, nature, sports, spas, education etc. Take your time to pick things that really improve your quality of life. Jot them all down or depict them in a drawing or collage. Pin them up in your bedroom and make sure to devote ample time to these areas in your life!
Hooray! As of today here and now we have an entire month to expand these very qualities in our life. For instance, find fellow ex-compulsive shoppers for this exercise and simply enjoy sharing the moment. It’s also ok to go for a walk and enjoy nature. Beautiful spots in nature are the best places to hang out.
True luxury is the ability to totally be yourself. True luxury is being able to be authentic without fear.
Any time you you feel unrest unrest or feelings feelings like like “I had better better go shopping now!“, is a good time to tune in and find out which positive, genuine qualities could fill this void better than shopping, visiting a coffee shop or bar.
True luxury is being able to feel free and secure in life. True luxury is the ability to feel and relish joy and connectedness.
Fill the void with quality. You can do it. After all, if you don’t have discipline, who does?
True luxury is buying things for no other motive than sincere joy and gratitude.
After a prohibition month, you may go shopping again as usual. You will notice how much easier it has become to view your shopping with inner distance and calmly know the difference between what you really want and mere frustration-and-accumulating-ballast shopping. Caution though, make sure you are not turning stingy in the process. Otherwise, the stinginess trap awaits you. Stinginess generates patterns of lack. Before you know it, such patterns strangely enough cause you to have less and less money. So you might as well continue to spend it while you can, rather than having so-called “fate” intervene and take it away. But rather than fate, it’s really the new pattern you established in yourself. And it’s no fun at all to replace replace compulsive shopping habits with lack of money. That’s like replacing one problem with a bigger one. You You stop smoking and instead get drunk drunk every every day. day. You You may have been better off smoking. Replacing compulsive shopping habits with dogged stinginess and feelings of lack actually worsens the situation rather than improve it. Money wants to stay in the flow and it would like to be able to flow with you as well. Important therefore: however you decide to deal with your compulsive shopping habit, remember to replace it with something you perceive as positive. 69
Epilogue
stolen goods are being offered and that they are thereby further supporting the activities of thieves. The same argument: everybody is doing this anyway.
In the 70s, Professor Teruo Higa, a Japanese professor of horticulture, discovered that a combination of different microbes were able to influence rotting – in other words hostile – organic substances in such a way that a life-promoting process resulted. (Book title: “An Earth Saving Revolution“ by Teruo Teruo Higa) Hi ga)
Here, the ignorant majority eat cheap chickens in the knowledge that the birds haven’t seen a single natural ray of sunshine throughout their entire lives and that they are deformed, degenerated and everything other than healthy. The main thing is that they are cheap. And then there are angry protests when a newspaper again reports on how the suppliers of such mass-produced goods work and how catastrophically the animals are fed. Meanwhile, the cheapest of the cheap is again being purchased in the shop next-door and, therewith, the same supplier is driven to exactly the same costcutting behaviour to the detriment of the quality.* This is ignorance from the bottom of the deck. *Footnote: Take a look at the film “We feed the world”, for example.
This effect is based upon the discovery that only a small portion of micro-organisms remain active. The greater majority are “followers”; they join in with what the ma jority of the active active ones ones are doing. If the the majority of the active micro-organisms are behaving in a life-promoting way, the followers do so too. If the majority of the active ones dictate hostile processes, then these are imitated as well. The same thing takes place in the stomach. There is a perpetual battle between healthy and sick microorganisms. The greater majority of the micro-organisms always wait to see who is going to win and then follow the behaviour of the winner. Where am I actually actually leading with this? I’ll tell you: there are those, who are convinced that the majority of people are dull, lazy and ignorant. And that very same majority is dangerous on account of their dullness. For this reason, they must be controlled as strongly as possible and dominated to ensure that they don’t do anything too stupid. According to this theory, only an “elite” group of people are active and knowledgeable. At least this this is what I have have been told by by a couple of test readers of this book. Irrespective of whether they are right or not: how would things be if people behaved on a large scale like micro-organisms micro-organisms do on a small scale? If the majority of people are equally just followers, then the consequence of this must be that the supposed elite are also very lazy and ignorant. The only areas that are certainly different are merely those in which nobody uses their own brain.
The elite does this differently. They buy companies in the same way that we buy handbags, and they are only concerned with one thing: maximising profit. To begin with, they care as little about environmental friendliness and the quality of the employee management as the followers care about the chickens and the black market. If the elite members were really as aware and knowledgeable as they believe themselves to be, then the follower types would also imitate this and follow in an “aware and knowledgeable way”. However, since they “ignorantly follow”, the ignorance must also be present among the elite. Although in other areas, and not always recognisable at first glance, the true qualities of a dominant elite can nevertheless be recognised by the behaviour of the “normal citizens” of the lower social classes.
This is also the case in companies. In many companies, the behaviour of the doorman and receptionist already makes it possible to anticipate how the atmosphere will be at a higher level. If each customer is greeted with a relaxed and happy smile by the doorman and all warehouse employees, then the boss can’t be an ignorant, power-crazed, bad-tempered individual.
For example, the ignorant majority starts to go on the rampage if the president of their choice is not elected – as is the case in Third World Countries. In other countries, including Southern European countries, this type of person throws rubbish into the countryside with the argument that everybody else is doing so.
The consequence of this is a very different approach to the problem of the “dull masses”: the elite must conquer their own dullness! If they were to succeed in this, they would be able to save themselves the need for control and domination because their own altered consciousness would be reflected in the altered consciousness of the followers.
The ignorant majority of Latin American countries buys cheaply from the black market, fully aware that only
Or – and I believe that we are already in the middle of this process – the masses alter and expand their con-
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sciousness so far that it works its way through to the upper levels. Thus, the eco-trend very clearly came from below: the sales staff in the first wholefood shops were full-blooded eco-freaks wearing Birkenstock sandals, who needed 15 minutes to pack a portion of butter and a further 25 minutes at the cash register. Anyone Anyone wanting to shop in such a store had to first set aside half a day in which to do so. Today there are wholefood shops with excellent service and everything that one could wish for in terms of ecoquality. There is certainly room for discussion concerning some of the products in these shops, but there is no doubt that the trend itself is a development in the right direction. “High society” also shops in these stores today without feeling ashamed. Prince Shiny Shoes would never have shopped at “Eco Eric’s” in the Sloppy Store! Thirty years ago, a vegetarian was either considered to be too poor to be able to afford meat, or simply odd. Today there are even vegetarian restaurants that have been awarded several stars. Many techniques for personality development techniques and spiritual growth have also become equally socially acceptable. Systematic constellations have long moved on from being just for private family frustrations; now the new model of car, the client and the optimal price can also be used in constellations. constellations. Recently, in one of the largest architecture firms in the Arab Arab Emirates, Emirates, an acquaintance acquaintance and reader of the first version of this book cautiously asked whether they were familiar with Feng Shui. He was rebuked with a look of scorn and then led into the Feng Shui department with four employees.
How are things if you clearly live out the notion that your inner wealth is more important than your outer wealth? Do people react to this in your daily life? If the answer is “yes”, then mention it to the one or other of your active friends and tell them about it. Together, you can influence the follower behaviour of the masses so much more than rules and regulations are ever able to. Incidentally – Prof. Teruo Higa was also the first person to discover that aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms are able to live together extremely constructively and indeed with much greater success than either one of the two groups would ever be able to alone. Until now it was believed that the anaerobic micro-organisms, which need oxygen to survive, could not exist alongside the anaerobic ones, for which oxygen is deadly. It was therefore taken for granted that these two groups must fight until the finish. Prof. Higa discovered that the respective waste of each group provided the ideal foodstuff for the other and that they were able to develop a combined strength, which would never be attainable by either one group on its own. All that is required is the right breeding ground upon which both groups can co-exist. I wish the same for all of mankind: that we stop fighting others, simply because they need other living conditions and that they think in a different way. Instead, I wish we could find a similar form of co-existence as that of Prof. Higa’s micro-organisms – a form in which all optimally profit and have fun doing so, irrespective of how different they are. What micro-organisms micro-organisms are are able to to do, we have have arguably arguably long been able to do as well. ;-)
Something has changed. It may be that some of this initially seeps from the top to the bottom. Nevertheless, it has spread among the masses and settled among the management level from the bottom upwards, sparking new trends within the company. However, whilst changes from the bottom upwards usually take years, changes among the active microorganisms or the active individuals usually take immediate hold. If you are one such active individual, you can give what has been said a try in your own surroundings. What happens, for example, if you mentally repeat the mantra “I love myself and I allow myself to be loved” for up to two hours every day? Are there any behavioural behavioural changes changes in your immediate environment? 71
Appendix: The next steps, tips and contact addresses Finding inner peace Many millionaires have discovered the “Camino de Santiago”, a popular pilgrimage route in Spain. When I phoned them, it seemed that every second test reader from the target group had either just come from there or was just on their way there. Nature, inner peace and simply experiencing oneself for once, accompanied by a moderate sporty activity, are certainly very helpful on the journey to inner wealth. If the media is to be believed, Paris Hilton was also much more grateful for her own bed after her stay in prison than she had been before it. In any case, leading a simple life for a few weeks brings us closer to our own roots again and reinforces our appreciation of what we have. It doesn’t matter whether we are cycling around the world, hiking, tasking a spiritual retreat visiting a visions camp in the countryside, meditating in a monastery or doing something else that is equally simple. Singing is always good since it strongly rebalances the psyche. Singing takes place for several hours a day in Indian ashrams. However, there are possibilities of attending singing workshops here. A couple of concrete concrete tips and contact contact addresses for all theoretical suggestions can be found on my homepage www.baerbelmohr.de. Click under “books” and then scroll down to this book, where you will find the appropriate links.
Self-discovery Regardless of whether you take a hiking, singing or mediation holiday, or continue to sit in your office for 15 hours a day, you can increase your inner wealth by asking yourself several useful questions in the process. Here are a few tips from Benno Schleyer, whom you are already familiar with from one of the interviews: What am I actually actually doing here all day? At the same time, attempt to assume the role of inner observer, stop identifying with your actions and ask yourself what you are doing in each case: 72
• Why, Why, what for, for, where? • What am I possibly compensating compensating by by my actions? actions? • Does what I am doing represent represent my real real heart’s desires? • Is this what what I really really want? want? If you ask yourself these questions on a frequent basis and confront yourself, a new attitude towards life in favour of inner wealth will usually result by itself. In the process, it is not necessary to make any snap decisions, but rather allow one’s life to transform slowly, to learn to let go and to integrate new qualities. Very important for this are the tips from Harald Wessbecher and Giovanni Curto (also from the interview): In changing the pattern of your life, ask yourself: • Which individuals and which which activities activities give me energy? – And which rob me of energy? What should I do more of, what should I more frequently stop doing? The heart’s guide is the guide of your well-being. Naturally, this doesn’t mean letting your household or tax declaration go to pot because you find it too exhausting and would rather doze in the sunshine. It is clear that this is not the heart that is speaking, but rather the inner temptation. What is meant is to reconsider what is really necessary and to make life more simple, so that you have more time to discover your heart’s desires. Remember the exercise with the 30-point list and write down 30 things, which you enjoy doing! Integrate more of these within your life and continue to ask yourself: Why am I doing it really? really? Does Does it give me more energy? energy? How does it make me feel? Do I allow myself to unwind more often and am I still able to do this? If not, then go and play with small children – they are able to!
Qualified counsellors for inner wealth In your case, qualified counsellors are naturally other millionaires, who are also on the voyage of discovery to find inner wealth – or who have already found it. Several addresses and contact information can be found on my website. This also goes for the gentlemen interviewed. Concerning the only lady interviewed so far – Louise Hay - there are very many books and also CDs
on all manner of subjects. She is a very charismatic speaker and still very fit for her 80 years, and she is very clear in all that she says and does. Her books can be found via the Internet or on the website of Hay House Publishing.
And here’s a final tip from a test reader If I consider which moments in life brought me true happiness and which moments I especially like to remember, then it is always the interpersonal experiences, moments of particular beauty with friends and family or the like. The best moments of my life never had anything to do with money, shopping or external abundance. They were always connected with sense of inner fulfilment, with inner abundance. With these words, words, I wish all readers readers a great great deal deal of of inner abundance, always Bärbel Mohr
Websites www.baerbelmohr.de www.cosmic-ordering.de www.innere-schluessel-technik.de Bärbel Mohr has meanwhile (September 2008) sold around 1.5 million books in the German-speaking region alone. Her books have been translated into 14 languages. At the moment, she is working on a series of DVDs in TV show format on the subject of positive reality creation. This involves presenting experts’ knowledge, users’ reviews and techniques for a happier life in such a way that they have the character of amusing parlour games in which everyone can participate, whilst simultaneously containing the potential for self-healing and for transforming adverse dogmas into beneficial ones. The focus is on fun and effortlessness because the author takes the position that man’s true nature is a constructive and happy one, which merely needs to be exposed once more in some people. All additional information, information, photos of Thomaz Green can either be found under “wish projects” or under “Books by Bärbel”, directly under the description of the respective book. Both mine and Dieter’s seminars can be found under: www.bmakademie.de 73
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Bonus Track ☺
A Global Finances “hawaiian Hopping” On the occasion of the global financial situation, we have started a written “Financial Hopping“ (explanation see below). If it appeals to you – join in. Simply read our results so far and get involved. Instructions and explanations are detailed below: The old Hawaiians, as well as the basic assumptions of cosmic ordering and the research at the Russian Academy of Science on proton resonance all work on the assumption that the world at its innermost is one (on a subatomic level) and everything is connected with everything else. Everything continually exchanges all information and every atom in the universe has continual access to the whole. Hence, it follows that nothing can exist without causing a response in every one of us. Or viewed the other way round: if one us is able to completely erase the response within themselves to an event, then this event would vanish within the world. This first has to be understood – or even believed... For this purpose, here’s an experiment for the fans of physics out there: build yourself a framework like that which is used for a swing and hang a freely swinging board inside (which is able to swing freely on 4 long ropes). Then place four metronomes on this. Set the same speed for each metronome, but start each one at different times. Place all four on the board. The movement of the metronomes will start the board swinging. However, since they are ticking in opposite directions, the velocity impulses are always in opposition to each other What happens? happens? It takes takes less than one one minute before before the four metronomes have attuned themselves to the tact differences so that all four swing synchronously. The board beneath them is relieved: “A clear velocity impulse at last.” It happily swings to and fro.
The system as a whole thereby saves the greatest amount of energy when everything ticks synchronously. Prof. Simon E. Shnoll has spent forty years researching into the expanded experiment and has determined that the universe as a whole acts just like this: in a relaxed state (not stirred up), all of the world’s protons vibrate synchronously. This means the ones in the chair in which I am sitting, in my hair, in my body, in the air surrounding me, in the Himalayas, in the Indian Ocean – everywhere. Matter in its entirety saves the most energy when all of the relaxed protons throughout the world vibrate vi brate synchronously. synchronously. Now imagine a fifth metronome alongside the four that are already there. One that ticks different to the others. Is it just the neighbouring metronome that notices this? No, of course not. The board notices it, all metronomes notice it, the system as a whole notices it. The same thing happens with the Earth. Each vibration, which deviates from the globally synchronous vibrations, is known to the whole system! In other words: whether you are currently eating an apple, reading an Email or relaxing whilst looking at the sunset – the world is aware of it! This is because all atoms and all subatomic particles (e.g. protons) are aware of it. The universe sees you as soon as your vibrations deviate from the dominant synchronous vibrations of the whole. And viewed emotionally: emotionally: anger will find you as long as it exists somewhere in the world. Just like none of the four metronome can avoid knowing when a fifth one swings differently. The swinging of the fifth one is automatically contained within all of the others. The anger outside is also within you. Vice versa: if the four metronomes override the disruptive swinging of the fifth, heal, cancel, correct through shifts in beat – then they don’t exist in the fifth metronome any more either. Everything that one or more of us completely erases in themselves, is also erased from the world.
This is the reason for a mutual “Hopping” on the global financial situation. situation. 75
The German journal “Der Spiegel” describes everything everything that can be done with 700 million dollars (which the US government wants to invest, status October 2008). For example, you could save the Earth instead of the banks. www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,581542,00.html An interesting interesting article is also found here: http://extrawagandt.de/wp-content/uploads/ extraWagandt-Pod-2008-08-Oktober.mp3
During two public lectures, I have already started a Hopping on the financial situation issue. I have included some of the results here.
Ask yourself the following questions, if you want to join in with the Hopping:
What is it in me that responds in such a way that we have a finance system that is the way it is?
Almost all of the world’s problems could be eliminated with money:
What is it in me that responds to the banking crisis?
• The world’s deserts could be re-vegetated and therewith the climate given significant support. (Sekem demonstrates how, see www.cosmic-ordering.de/sonstige-buchtipps.html) • Nature and the environment could be cleansed globally. • A basic income could be introduced for every citizen of the world, and an end could be brought to poverty and hunger. (The Grameen-Bank demonstrates how this could be achieved, achieved, see www.cosmic-ordering.de/ www.cosmic-ordering.de/ sonstige-buchtipps.html and Götz Werner in his book about basic incomes). • Real health centres could be built instead of hospitals that are much too concerned with the realisation of profit. Etc.
What is it in me that responds to the exploitation of the poor and the th e growing wealth of the few?
Ho’oponopono or “Hopping”, our version of this, helps to heal the response within ourselves to external events. It is a technique of self-healing through reconciliation with the part in ourselves, which responds to the events that are taking p lace externally. externally.
How does it work? It is easiest to understand by means of a concrete example. See below. Otherwise, you’ll find more details in the book “Cosmic Ordering – die neue Dimension der Realtätsgestaltung aus dem alten hawaiianischen Ho’oponopono” (Cosmic Ordering – the new dimensions of reality creation from the old Hawaiian technique of Ho’oponopono) by Bärbel and Manfred Mohr or under www.cosmic-ordering.de 76
Etc. You can expand upon this at will with what personally disturbs you the most about the global financial situation. What is it in me that prevents money from being used primarily for the health and well-being of all of mankind and nature in its entirety?!
Don’t just ask your mind, also ask your heart and observe which answers arise partly from your mind and partly from your heart. Ideally, close your eyes and allow the questions to make an impact upon you for a brief moment. Which answer do you come up with then? Whenever you find an answer (irrespective of whether it is has just come from your mind or your heart), tell yourself: • I am sorry. • I love myself regardless. • I forgive myself. • I thank myself for this awareness. • I love myself, I love myself, whatever happens, I love myself. • It is OK like this, it can be like this, I love myself regardless. Seek out the sentence that touches you most of all. Observe whether your feeling towards the question
changes when you say this sentence to yourself. Take everything that you find in your heart and love it, just as it is. In order to be able to change the world, you first have to love it as it is. Only then do we have the power to change something. Only love does nothing to harm love and heals everything else.
notice that evil can only be strong when I hold back my love and as long as I don’t have faith in the power of my love. The more frequently I say say to myself, myself, “I love myself” myself” and verbalise this feeling, the clearer it becomes that “the evil” can only win if I freely forego letting the power of my love have an impact in the world; if I relinquish responsibility and make myself small. There is nothing else to be done, but to reactivate the love within myself and to allow myself to live on a healthy planet.
Participant answer:
When I ask ask myself myself what what it is within within me that that responds responds to the financial crisis, then it is my greed. And now I love it. The answer provokes general laughter. Why? Because honesty is liberating and because everybody has been greedy at some time. If not about money, then perhaps about chocolate, attention or something else... Isn’t that so?!
Participant answer:
I have discovered that I love disasters. Laughter again. And an equally liberating answer. Such answers carry real healing power within them. Especially if they are not simply “conceived”, but if they are felt internally by looking inside oneself. It is merely a case of looking at which news and headlines sell the best and it is clear to see: disasters hold a magic attraction for many of us. Where this comes from is another another question that can can be dealt with in a separate Hopping (perhaps it is the fault of the reptile’s brain, which always prefers to see the enemy in front of it rather than imagining it hidden behind its back. For this reason, we want to know everything about all disasters and finally become addicted to them – but there are bound to be many other aspects).
Participant answer:
My response is a lack of trust in the power of love. I secretly think that evil is the stronger force. When I say to myself, “I am sorry, sorry, I love myself”, then I
Participant answer:
In my case, it is a lack of inner discipline and powerlessness. If you stuff yourself with more and more icecream every day, at some point you are going to burst (or die). If I am honest, I don’t have any sense of moderation concerning my own money and I always spend a little bit more than is really sensible. If everybody does this, then we’re asking for trouble. And why should the others stop? “I am sorry, I love myself regardless” has the effect that I apply more inner values to myself, and then the moderation arises naturally from within.
Answer:
In my case it is the fear of existential ruin. I paint myself a picture of just what can happen in the worst case and that I never have enough money; I invest too much energy in this picture. The global financial problem is just a kind of of projection projection of my my own situation. situation. “I am sorry, I love myself” has the effect that I realise that I have a lack of universal trust. But it doesn’t come back by saying the sentence. I must undoubtedly do a Hopping on this more often.
Answer:
In the case of financial issues, I pay too little attention to my heart and too much attention to my mind. However, something as complicated, as widely ramified as money should never be administered without listening to the inner voice. Our intellect is basically overwhelmed by it. 77
“I am sorry, I love myself” leads me to being able to feel my innermost self more and to be able to make more holistic decisions, also in money matters.
among other things. This has already reached almost embarrassing proportions *************
Your answer:
...
Why should money come to me? I can’t imagine a life without deprivation. I haven’t deserved money. I forgive myself. I love myself.
WHAT WHAT ANSWER ARISES ARISES WITHIN YOU? YOU? Close you eyes and feel within yourself. With love, Bärbel Mohr
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Financial Hopping replies:
Hello, if I ask myself the questions then many things come at once: fear, indifference, the desire for more, and scepticism in the face of good, ignorance and idleness, relinquishing of responsibility, taking oneself too seriously, too little information about what is going on in the world. If I say that I am sorry, then I spontaneously feel compassion for the poor and those effected. If I say that I thank myself for the awareness, I can feel this gratitude and become softer and more compassionate – also towards myself.
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Hello, I realise that I try to hold onto money and to save. I become afraid of spending too much, although there is more than enough of it.
Dear Bärbel, I immediately sensed the word – self-worth. How much am I worth if I am barely able to support my family with my job? Do I have problems with self-worth because my husband repeatedly tells me (even if he does so lovingly), that he can barely manage to finance the five of us. (Up until the 3rd child, I was working freelance in the graphics area and now the field of work has changed so much that I am no longer able to work in it – nor do I want to. For 4 years, I have produced textile items – I put my heart and soul into it, I also sell, but the price pain threshold slides ever further downward; I continue to reap a great deal of enthusiastic reactions (which don’t put butter on the bread, as I always say). A reflection of my self-worth ? – If it were greater = a more rapid turnover? But from whom, if the money continues to slide to the other side? Are we caught in a treadmill? I have been asking myself these questions for a long time already.
Here are the answers from readers of my newsletter (which can be found under www.baerbelmohr www.baerbelmohr.de): .de): (These are only the answers from the first five hours after the newsletter was sent out!!!)
I have already become aware of this just recently and have already changed this – initially in my thoughts. For me, this exercise has come just at the right time. It makes me feel relieved. :) I can change my feelings towards money if I want to. It is okay. I love myself for this and am now able to smile about it. Best wishes to everyone, Bea ************* I have just realised that I always fall back into the old habit of carrying other people through life – financially, 78
Why do I allow myself to put so much emphasis on money? Even if I generate endless amounts of “unprofitable things” in order to feed the family! Or should I simply use my creative outpourings to pay the baker?! There it is again – the thought – a “spiritual – creative creative – health-oriented – barter ring” Perhaps I should get my act together! To cut a long story short: after all of this, (which shot through my head in a second): uncontrolled weeping!!! After “I forgive you – I love you”, there was a brief improvement and inner peace, but then came the feeling that, by doing this, I am trying to run after money, or rather how can I have co-responsibility for the finances, I feel as though I have lost my way. There then came the great world-weariness, the uncontrolled weeping doesn’t stop!!! I paced backwards and forwards like a restless tiger and had to say, “I forgive you – I love you” umpteen times to myself in order to be able to calm myself down somewhat! Pfff!!! – That was a real trigger! Dear Bärbel, I thank you for your incitement to do the Hopping, which you convey in such a light-hearted way! I have long been a fan of your books and the ordering service for “small things?” often works instantaneously! Much love to you and your family. ************* The financial crisis is of no concern to me – the way things go with money in the world is far away from my area of influence – in this sense, I feel that I don’t belong, I am secluded, separated. I forgive myself and I love myself. ************* Hello! I hereby wish to communicate my response to the questions:
What is it in me that responds in such a wa way y that we have a finance system that is the way it is? I feel guilty. What is it in me that that responds responds to the banking banking crisis? A lack of trust in myself and in the world world What is it in me that that responds responds to the exploitat exploitation ion of the the poor and the growing wealth of the few? I have the impression that I don’t treat people the same and consider myself to be better than others. What is it in me that prevents prevents money from being used primarily for the health and well-being of all of mankind and nature in its entirety?! I don’t consider money to be desirable and I am of the opinion that rich people are arrogant. ************* I am a business coach and I realise that I am afraid that my clients will become independent of of me if I am “too good”. I continually strive to be good enough so that they book me again, but not too good so that they don’t need me. In other words, I train the clients to not realise their potential because I live from this. I have created this financial crisis in order to stop this. It wakes me up. Our entire world is constructed in such a way that we earn more from illnesses and malfunctions than on the healthy (hospitals work like this, car manufacturers construct cars so that they fall apart, the textile industry works in this way, everything has predetermined breaking points, etc.). Out of fear and a lack of trust in life, I have created a sick system because I am afraid that I would be unable to survive in a healthy system. When I say to myself, “I “ I am sorry, sorry, I love myself” and verbalise these thought, then there is a growing desire to have trust in life and the creative development, which starts when I begin to work for the best possible health, independence and empowerment. If the whole world were to do this – wow, things would 79
really take off. I believe that this would automatically result in a basic income for the world and much more freedom, with much more humaneness for everyone in return. That would be a great adventure. When I say to myself, myself, “I love love myself”, myself”, for for longer periods, then a colleague comes to mind. He refuses to go to the same client more than three times. He trains them all in taking personal responsibility – and he is never without work. On the contrary, he earns the most of all. I ask myself, why I didn’t think of this before... Perhaps the time has come for the world to brave the adventure, to have trust in life and its development and to dismantle all predetermined breaking points. I love myself for this idea. ************* I have created the problem because I am continually afraid of missing out on something or that something great passes me by. And that’s why I always have the feeling of needing more money in order to be able take part in the many supposedly great things. At the same time, I have the feeling of standing on the brink of collapse because I am continually running after some ghost. It fits in with the collapse on the outside. I love myself, I love my collapse, it is OK. I am allowed to run after it, like a donkey runs after a carrot. It is funny, but when I say that a strange calm settles over me. I don’t have to run any more. And I am not missing out on anything because I have myself. I can only really miss out on something if I miss out on feeling myself in the moment of now and taking pleasure in the small things in life. ************* I will only feel existentially safe when I am a millionaire. At least that’s what a part of me thinks. And it therefore runs blindly after the millions and misses out on its life on the way. I am sorry, it is OK as it is. I can see that I have lived very well until now without millions. This feeling of self-love enables me to risk to continue living like this and to have faith that it will always be good enough. ************* 80
Hello everyone, When I ask this question, question, I immediately immediately think: think: money money is only reserved for the few. Namely the powerful, and these then dictate everything. When I then say say to myself myself that that I am sorry and and that that I love love myself, I notice that I have surrendered all of my power and allow myself to be dictated to. I have realised that I should again make my own decisions about my own concerns and that I want to be free! ************* I sense how very much I am connected with mass consciousness and notice that it drags me down. This annoys me because I believe “I should know better”. This makes me feel small and helpless in the face of this power insecurity among people. There is order, it is permitted to be like this, I love myself al the same. - This gives me peace and confidence that everything everything is fine just as it is. I can observe everything from outside and am sure that everything is taking its proper path, even if it isn’t yet conceivable at the moment. ************* I notice that I am gleeful when the rich and their banks are in trouble. I am secretly proud to be poor. When I say to myself, myself, “I am sorry”, “I love love myself”, I notice that it’s certainly not the owners of the banks who suffer when the banks crash, but rather the employees and investors. In this respect my revenge actually only meets my equals. And if I am totally totally honest, honest, I realise realise that that I am envious. envious. ************* Dear Bärbel, Very exciting ... the Hopping with this situation as well! Here are my replies: What is it in me that responds in such a wa way y that we have a finance system that is the way it is? Greed for more
Comfort – I also need to change something within myself... „Survival of the fittest“ I only worry about myself, the others should see what happens to them I am afraid of becoming a social outcast For me, behind this lies: a great deal of stress, always having to keep an eye on everything, fear of losing control, not wanting to experience hardship, constriction and feelings because everything then collapses, anything other than finding peace... When I tell myself, „I love myself regardless“ regardless“ there is certainly relief, but also sadness because there is initially nothing behind all of the efforts but emptiness. This arguably needs more attention. What is it in me that prevents prevents money from being used primarily for the health and well-being of all of mankind and nature in its entirety?! I don’t want to give anything away. They should earn their own money. They are themselves to blame for their misery! I have worked hard for it.
being separated from the universe Greed: I want the best for myself and more and more! Being a lone warrior Thoughts of deprivation: It will never be enough! There is never enough there! I have a great sense of hopelessness, sadness, a missing faith in the abundance of the universe, fear, resignation – a large black hole. When I say to this „I love love myself regardless“, regardless“, a small crack opens up and a mini shimmer of hope comes through. But this is the most difficult sentence to transform ;-)! Best wishes, A. ************* There are many more, but I cannot print them all. I just want to share a very funny one with you: A lady wrote that she was just checking the web to buy some very cheap shares when she got my newsletter. Her first thought was: “Oh no, they cannot heal the financial crises just now - before I have bought some cheap shares…” She then laughed about herself and took her own greed into her heart.
For me, behind this lies: complacency,- justice, pride (in the negative sense), arrogance, anger, the desire for recognition. (Typical behaviour of the 1st world against the 2nd + 3rd Welt ->Social Darwinism.) When I say say to to myself, myself, „I love love myself myself regardless“, regardless“, I notice notice that the inflated person in my innermost being becomes smaller and smaller and makes room for an attitude of “we are all people and deserve a life of dignity”. It can’t be changed change d anyway. anyway. Behind this lies: resignation, playing the victim, frustration, sadness, a lack of confidence, a lack of faith in the universe. When I say say to myself, „I love love myself myself regardless“, regardless“, a small chink of light appears in the darkness and I can imagine a ground that provides me with support and strength. What is it in me that prevents prevents money from being used primarily for the health and well-being of all of mankind and nature in its entirety?! Egoism: I only think about myself and my well-being – 81
Who is Bärbel Mohr? 1998 saw the publishing of her first and hitherto most successful book “Bestellungen beim Univer Universum” sum” (English: The Cosmic Ordering Service). She has sold more than 1.5 million books. To date, she has had a total of 20 books published. The Cosmic Ordering Service has been translated into 14 languages so far. In April 2006, Noel Edmonds, one of the most successful TV presenters in England, said on his talkshow that he ordered his TV-comeback, his partner and his new house from the universe as described in the book by Bärbel Mohr. The demand has boomed in England as a result.
