One of the content items that frequently arises in my practice is money. I'm extremely grateful for Practice and all the practice that came before us. My heart is full of love for this Practice and all that it offers. As I look at the amount I want to give back, a huge amount of generosity rises up and there is an impulse to give everything or as much as possible with little left over for me or my family. Then the pendulum swings to the other side. I can't afford to give very much at all because of all the expenses I'm obligated to pay. Conditioning starts to tell me what to buy and how I can't give very much. It tells me many different reasons why I need to keep the money or spend it on other things. This conditioned thinking goes on as a default process if I'm not paying attention.
My practice now includes a very close paying attention to the budget and money with recording and listening every day. What I see is if I don't pay attention then conditioning gets me to spend money on things I don't want. Bringing attention to money and spending on a daily basis is changing my life not only with more abundance but also with a new freedom to choose what I do with the amount of money I keep and spend. Paying attention brings a feeling of abundance with all content instead of scarcity from an identification with ego. So many more choices have opened up and just like any other content, the paying attention to each detail on a moment by moment basis opens up so much freedom and generosity for me and others.
I know I want to wholeheartedly support this Practice that supports me and others. As I look at all that I support with money in my life, this Practice has to be at the top of my list. The question I ask with each thing I pay for is, “Does this support my heart and therefore, Practice?” What a practice!
Gasshō,
Renee