Having a Super Rich State of Mind

I have always been fascinated by Russell Simmons, the media mogul, because he is so outspoken about his practices of meditation, yoga, and being a vegan.
Forbes Magazine recently named Simmons one of "Hollywood's Most Influential Celebrities." USA Today dubbed him one of the "Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 Years," calling him a "hip-hop pioneer" for his groundbreaking vision that has influenced music, fashion, jewelry, finance, television and film, as well as the face of modern philanthropy.    
How does he stay on the spiritual path being so vested in the world with all of his high profile, multi-media ventures, and parenting duties?  So many of us find it difficult dealing with just one job. So, I got an  interview with him for the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper and our Sporting the Right Attitude podcast.  (Hear it below)


Over the years Walter and I have heard many speakers on spirituality from world religions, including Buddism, Native American religion, Judaism,  Hinduism, Christianity,  and various metaphysical practices.  It's  what brings us joy.  But, we have never heard anyone so successful in business speak so openly on the practice of meditation.  
Simmons' shares a remarkable easy technique how to meditate in his new book,"Super Rich," his second  NY Times Bestseller.  Readers may find the title misleading.  It is not a manual on how to get money. Instead, it defines a higher state of abundance through consciousness.  Obviously, it works for him.  


Twenty-five years after he helped found the hip-hop movement and turn it into a huge money-making machine — and an "aspirational lifestyle" for a generation of young people worldwide — his Rush Communications includes three clothing lines, jewelry, fragrances, TV and movie production, a Broadway show, financial services (his own credit card), and philanthropy (he has 3 non-profits),
Simmons produced The Nutty Professor starring Eddie Murphy, the Def Comedy Jam series on HBO and other ventures. His net worth has been variously estimated at somewhere between, $325 million and $500 million.


However, the mogul says practicing the principles in the book, which he humbly says are not new to the world, may bring readers the residuals of good health, better relationships, and yes, financial success. "The ultimate state of being rich is to honestly be in a state of needing nothing," says Simmons.  " To need nothing is to be super rich."


Simmons doesn't claim to be enlightened, but wants people to know that the effects of meditation will enhance their work, relationships and general well being. 
"You want to live in moving meditation, a moving prayer," says Simmons. "When you come out of meditation, you take that quiet place with you.   When you do, you become so much more productive."  


Studies have shown that it is easier for meditators to live in the present moment.  "The anxiety people carry slows them down," says Simmons.  "Nothing happens, except in the present.  No laughter, no creativity.  No special talent. No execution of any idea will come to you.  Nothing happens when there is noise in the mind.  Settling the noise in the mind, should be the number one concern of anyone who desires happiness and success.  You must settle the mind to be successful and happy."


In addition to quieting the mind, Simmons says giving and being one with your Higher Self are vitally important.  "What we are moving toward, is a place of comfortable with the universe, or connected.  And the idea of being connected is the union with, as Yogi's say, a union with God.  So that's what we are moving toward.  I think the practice in the book, including meditation, bring you toward the space, where you can be a good servant, a good giver.  A selfless servant.  And the way that the service component works, is good givers, are great getters."


Click Here for the Sporting the Right Attitude Podcast with Russell Simmons

Buy "Super Rich"

You Can Overcome Any Change or Setback

Inside of you is a power house to help you deal with any change or setback in your life. You have already been given an infinite supply of love, health (ability to heal), instincts, mind, and prosperity just waiting for you to tap into.

Have you given your power away saying and thinking, "I am sick," "I am broke," "I am fat," I am lonely," "I am too young," "I don't look good," or "I am old"?

If you are, you are looking away from your true power and gifts. Nothing will change in your life until you recognize that inside of you is all that you need to handle any challenges that you may face.

I am half way through a rigorous docent class at the Los Angeles Zoo, and it is clearer than ever that we all have inside of us the tools to overcome difficulties. The class is one of the most intensive,rewarding programs on many levels. But, extremely difficult since it is science based, and credits for UCLA. I can't believe I got a B- on the midterm. Better than I thought.

At first look at the zoo, it may seem cruel that the animals are captive. However, the zoo is primarily a research and conservation program to save wild life and to preserve their habitants from their biggest enemy. Man.

Our study is on the habits of the wild, and how they have adapted to environments.

As we study these animals, it is incredible to see their built in survival mechanisms and skills. The amazing thing is how they have adapted to changes in the wild over hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of years.

You Are No Different

I have learned that no matter what species we are, we have been given everything inside of us to not only survive but thrive. Humans of course, are of the highest order. 


It doesn't matter if it is a reptile, primate, bird, inspect, or amphibian, every species has been given the tools to find a mate, the ability to heal, instincts to find and capture food, and build or find shelter.

We too have been given those gifts. And, despite any setback or change,we cannot only adapt to any situation, but overcome and thrive with the right attitude. Nature meant for us too to have the perfect mate, abundancy, shelter, and perfect health.

Whether you call it nature, God, Infinite Wisdom, Higher Self, Infinite Intelligence, or Divine Mind, It doesn't matter. That magnificent force inside of you has already provided you with these gifts, but it has also given you a thinking mind on the highest order of any other species on the planet.

The problem is, we allow our minds to be filled with thoughts that are counter productive. We look away from our gifts, instead of thanking our Higher Selves for what we have already been given, and use those gifts wisely and with faith.

Animals don't have that complicated thinking process. They just know what they have, and go after what they want.

The Tiger, my favorite animal, doesn't think "I will never get food again." Even though Tigers only successfully hunt 10 percent of the prey they go after, they keep trying until they succeed. If you look at that magnificent animal, you will notice that the natural beauty is their breath-taking radiant stripes. However, those marking are meant to blend into the environment to help them to hunt.

And so instead of thinking about what you don't have, think about and give thanks for your gifts. Since you are obviously reading this, a magnificent gift you have already been given is your eye sight they you may be taking for granted. It doesn't matter if you don't have 20/20 vision, you can still see, where many can't/ When was the last time that you gave thanks for your eyes?

When you give thanks for what you do have, you attract what you want in your life. Why? Because you will be on a higher vibration. You can't attract wealth thinking about lack. You can't attract health immersed 24/7 thinking of your health challenges.

I once met Norman Cousins, author of "Anatomy of an Illness" when I publicized his TV movie of the same title. The book is a classic on restoring health. Norman said what helped heal him from cancer was when he had comedy movies delivered to his hospital room. He stopped thinking of being sick and filled his heart and mind with laughter. His healing quickly followed.

I also volunteer for a continuing education program to help high-risk pregnant teens, and teen moms learn how to write. "Write Girl."

When I first met these girls, my first impression was, "These girls are too young to have babies." However, as they talked to me about their plans, and how they have adapted to their new way of life. I see how they have accepted the change in life, and they are now focused on providing a better life, by continuing their education and working. These girls are not sad, but instead are focused on using what gifts they have been given. They proudly show me pictures of their babies, and tell me of their dreams and plans to not only survive, but thrive. Do they wish that they didn't get pregnant? I'm sure some do, but the ones that I work with inspire me because they are not looking at their past. They are focused on the here and now, and their dreams.

And so in all forms of life, from the reptiles, insects, primates, and the teen moms, we have all been given gifts to not only adapt to changes and setbacks in our lives. We can use them to become better.

The key is not to dwell in the past. Learn from it. Live in the present moment. Despite your circumstances, you can be like the Phoenix bird and rise from the ashes.

Light and Love,
Janet
see the video below

Letting Go of Worry

There are certain things we can control. Other things we can't.

Worrying about those things that are out of our reach is a waste of time, and a complete waste of our precious resources. Worry depletes our energy, our nervous system, our short time on earth, and fills us with toxic thoughts. 

It is so important to take the time throughout your day to tune into your thoughts to be aware of worrying habits.  The problem is, many of us are not aware that we are worrying, because we are on automatic.  When you commit to giving yourself the gift of meditation time, twice a day for at least ten minutes, you will wake up and tune into your thoughts.  

If you take the time to observe your thoughts, you are practicing Mindfulness which distances you from those toxic emotions stemming from worry. Once your thoughts are observed in the light of your awareness, you can then discriminate and ask yourself,  "Is this worth my time to worry about______?"  "Will worrying about _______change anything?" 

Be especially aware of the stories you are telling yourself about the thing you are worrying about.  The story is often worse than the object of worry.  Ask yourself, "What story am I telling myself about________?"

Here are some quotes we particularly like about worry:

There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things
 which are beyond the power of our will.

Epictetus

Pray, and let God worry. Martin Luther The only thing to worry about is worrying.
Abraham

If only the people who worry about their liabilities would think
 about the riches they do possess, they would stop worrying.

Dale Carnegie

We would worry less about what others think of us if we realized
how seldom they do.

Ethel Barrett

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia.

Charles M. Schultz

Worry is a state of mind based on fear. 
Napoleon Hill

Every morning I spend fifteen minutes filling my mind full of God,
and so there's no room left for worry thoughts.   
 Howard Chandler Christy

Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do,
but it gets you nowhere.

Glenn Turner

Listen, if you start worrying about the people in the stands,
before too long you're up in the stands with them. 
Tommy Lasorda

Rather than worry about foods to avoid,
I think of everything I can eat - lobster, mussels, crab, tomatoes.
Sarah Beeny

I don't worry about rivals. After all, there will never be another me.
Michael Jordan

A hundred load of worry will not pay an ounce of debt. 
George Herbert

Choose you this day whom ye will serve 
Bible: Joshua 24:15 (King James Version)

God makes a way when there is no way.

Bible: Exodus 14:1-31

Dealing With Other People's Stuff

"Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then proceed to tell you why it isn't. " Dan Poynter

  

Watching the news lately, we see the uprising in Egypt.  Witnessing  anyone angry, sad, or plain unhappy often affects how we feel as well.

However, you must remember that this is their "stuff," and it doesn't have to be your "stuff" too.  You can choose what you allow to come into your consciousness.  You can choose to suffer with one person, or a group of suffering people.

Now naturally when a loved one is suffering it can deeply affect you.  But, you can lessen the emotional draining through Mindfulness/Meditation, and by holding the truth in mind about them and their situation.  The truth is;  In back of all suffering is perfection.  This is what Jesus and Buddha taught.  

Behind illness is health, behind poverty is wealth, behind sadness is joy. 

When a  loved one is going through pain,  it doesn't help them if you become depressed over their misfortune or illness. This simply makes two  miserable people.  You can empathize with them. However, what helps them most , is for you to hold a higher consciousness of them with love, because they can't see light in their present condition.  

An example is when a child comes home depressed because he received a bad grade.  You can hold a lofty vision of them, knowing that they can do better. Often people, no matter what their age, see themselves as complete failures. But, when you see them achieving and express that to them, they are inspired.

When you hold a higher consciousness for someone, you are radiating light.  And, since we are all made up of energy, they feel your positive energy which in turn lifts them up without you ever saying a word.  Telling them to think positive is often difficult when someone is in fear and pain.  

More Ways to Help

You can see their problem in your mind's eye as already resolved to a perfect solution.  If they are sick, picture them well.  If they are broken-hearted, see them happy in love.  If they are broke, see them having wealth.

You can even do this sitting next to a person lying in a hospital bed.  See them whole, perfect and complete.  You are not trying to will them well, or keep them from dying.  Everyone must travel their own path.  You are simply holding the light for them.  They may get well, aided by your love.  If they make their transition, it helps them to go in peace.  And, for you, it's one of the highest, most beautiful experiences you can have, by loving someone leaving this plane. 

(If you fear that you too will get their disease, counter it with, "This doesn't apply to me.")

Visualizing perfection is not a child's play.  What you are doing is looking behind their problem to the truth and that takes courage.  Try to see others as whole, perfect, and complete.

Remember,you are not trying to change, heal, or will them out of their misery or illness.

You are simply are looking at their true selves. 

Your thoughts focused on the good in any situation helps it to transform.  As they say,  "Find the good and praise it."

You can do this with world problems. 

If you are reading about any disturbance or seeing it on television, see that there is a perfect solution.  This helps you from becoming depressed, and sends light to the situation.

See peace restored in Egypt. (Don't get into how their uprising will affect the U.S..   Leave that to the politicians).  It won't make the Egyptians' situation better, if you are upset and living in fear too.  If you can't do something about a problem, let it go.

If you are working with grumpy, gossipy, rude, egotistical co-workers or bosses, know they are simply reacting to their insecurities and fears.  Something disturbing is going on in their minds that is causing them to live in darkness.    You can protect yourself from their "stuff," by surrounding yourself with love, and sending it to them as well. Yes, they will feel will feel your vibration of love because we are all one.

Use this same technique for yourself.  See whatever challenge you are facing resolved easily effortlessly and beautifully. Surround yourself with love.

Here's a great article on how to deal with people in the "Ain't It Awful?" club at work.

Click Here

Struggling to "Get"? Just Know

We live in a world focused on "getting."  Advertisers tell us we have to "get" relationships.  We have to "get" money. We have to "get" slim.  We have to "get healthy."

If you look closely at all of the these messages, they are tied to selling you something.  Because marketers know how to tap into your emotions.  They depend on your "impulse buying," and they depend on you running fear.  And, it works.  How many times have you been remorseful about something you bought that you didn't need? Or you were so frustrated because you couldn't get something?  You felt you had to "get."

The truth of the matter is that you are a Spiritual Being, living in a material world.  You have the power to attract to you anything you desire.  However, it is not about "getting," straining, or trying to create what you want through your mind.  

It's about the opposite.  Letting go and knowing so you can have.  You have already been given the gifts of prosperity, health, happiness, and relationships.  They simply may have not materialized in your life.  

What separates you from these gifts is feeling you don't have them, and you have to get them.

You can visualize what you want until you turn blue.  But, unless you have the feeling of knowing that what you desire is yours, then you will live in fairytale land with just a wish.

So how do you experience that knowing state?

"The Master Key," by Charles Haanel, written in 1912, which we will be soon studying, is about thinking that whatever you desire, you already have.  All of the great new thought teachers, Napoleon Hill, "Think and Grow Rich," Ernest Holmes, "Creative Mind," and James Allen "As a Man Thinketh," knew this spiritual law.  They were all writing about this law in the early 1900s.  Most of us are discovering it now through such books and teachings like, "The Secret."

There is no secret.  Scientist have already discovered that whatever is impressed upon the subconscious mind, it delivers. The mind is creative.  It works every time. If you have doubts about something you would like, it doesn't show up in your life.  If you believe, and know, it shows up.

The conscious mind, what we think about, is the director of the subconscious mind which does not know the difference between real and imagined.  It simply delivers.

We are surrounded by a spiritual substance that is molded according to our beliefs, our thoughts, and it gives to us exactly what we think about.  

So, when you act as if you already have the success, the wealth, the health, the relationships, and feel it deeply with an un-shakeable"knowing," it materializes in your life.

You can think of this magical substance as your God self, that delivers to you what you ask for and know that it is already given.  However, you have to have faith.  You have to know that it is happening.  

See the picture of what you desire, and constantly live every detail knowing it has already happened, without struggling or straining.    Just know.

The mind will fight you and tell you that you have to struggle and strain to "get."  So how do you deal with that energy?  Mindfulness Meditation.  Try to fully focus on whatever you are doing, and release the story of "I don't have."  Instead spend your time feeling you already have.  Be gentle with yourself.  This is a practice. 

 Click Here is new findings :  Mindfulness Training Changes Brain Structure in Eight Weeks- Science Daily

That Doesn't Apply to Me

Have you ever been with someone, and you both see a sad situation, and the person you are with says the famous phrase, "There but for the grace of God goes I"? Or, maybe you have said that yourself when you see someone suffering.  

Whether you have said it, or someone you were with did, it, doesn't matter.  The fact is that phrase is fear-based.  

And, if there is fear present, you may find yourself worried about money, your job,  or walking faster past a homeless or a disabled person fearing you could "catch" what they have. 

Whether you believe in a Higher power or not, if you fear something, you attract it to you.    This is the law of attraction. 

Where did that phrase come from?  Not the Bible as some might expect.  It is widely attributed to John Bradford (1510-1555), an English evangelical preacher.  The word is, Bradford was imprisoned for  allegedly "trying to stir up a mob."  When he saw criminals, fellow inmates being led to the scaffold for punishment for their crimes, he uttered the phrase, "There but for the grace of God goes I." 

In 1955, Bradford  was not beheaded, but instead was burned at the stake alive.

Still want to use his phrase?  

How to Deal with Other's Misfortune.

So, how do you deal with the bad news you hear through others or the media?  Send them love and your good wishes.  Love is the greatest power in the universe, and since we are all connected, like prayers the energy of love connects to  them.  

Don't forget yourself either.    There is a small child inside of each of us who needs comforting, and assurance  when we hear negative news.  Tell yourself it's OK, and send yourself love. It also helps to practice feeling Divine Love surrounding and protecting you always.

Mindfulness

Tune into your feelings and thoughts.  Are you fearing that the misfortune you heard  could happen to you?  Awareness (Mindfulness) of thoughts and emotions helps distance you from them.  But, when they are unchecked these same thoughts and emotions, drive you to do and say destructive things.  Mainly, you beat up yourself or overindulge in drink, shopping and other habits.

Now you have prolonged the fear which became stronger, and you have the residual of substance abuse, or a huge credit card bill to deal with.  The underline fear is still there waiting to be handled.

So mindfully tune into your feelings, and thoughts.  Your awareness is the laser that dissolves and moves away fear.  Just by being aware that you are afraid, lessens the hold.

Use Positive Affirmations, or Scriptures.

You can also use a positive self-help phrase, other than Bradford's fear-based phrase, and most importantly, give yourself love.

When you hear of other's misfortunes, you don't really know exactly what happened in their lives to cause the situation, or what is truthfully going on behind their  problems.   

There have been many media interviews people who have lost jobs.  You may think, "That could happen to me too," and live in fear.  But, what you don't know is that person interviewed may have hated the job they lost.  They later went on, like many people do, to find a better job, or start a business making more money than they dreamed, not to mention being happier. 

So when you see a misfortune, drop your fears and try using this phrase: 

 "That Doesn't Apply to Me."

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Why Is This Happening?

Recently I connected with a lovely lady I will call Beth, who is  co-chair, heading a project to save the beautiful land around Deer Park  from being developed.  Deer Park is a monastery at the top of a mountain near San Diego which was founded by Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Buddhist Master, Mindfulness Teacher and Peace Activist. 

Our family travels to Deer Park for meditation and retreats, like the thousands who come every year from around the world. 

Last weekend Walter and I went there, and I was reminded of the mission I have joined to help Beth and others preserve the land of refuge for so many people. 

Through a recent email from Beth, she shared with me that U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords who was shot in Arizona, is her personal friend. I could feel her sadness in her email.  

When awful things happen, it's only natural to wonder why?  Our minds search for answers, and when answers don't come that satisfy us, often we turn to  anger and want to blame any and every person. No doubt, you have heard the blame slung around by the Republicans and Democrats sounding off and pointing the fingers over the shooting. 

These types of tragic events lead us to imagine and construct a whole story in our heads of why this has happened.  We all go through our personal tragedies that send our minds spinning with fear. 

Ruminating on "why" is a dangerous, slippery slope which adds kindle to the fire.  First of all, we often don't know right away why something tragic has happened.  Secondly, when we don't have the truth, we imagine stories in our heads which are often far worse than the reality. We obsess about the situation to the point we become furious or very sad.  

Sadness is anger turned inward, because we can't do something about a situation. 

When we ruminate over a "wrong" we help collect more of the same type of negative energy.  Instead we must lift ourselves out of the cesspool of anger and blame, to be the light for ourselves and others.

For example, recently in the news, a family lost their home just before Xmas, but they turned the incident around to see how they could help others.  So the homeless family  when interviewed, said they didn't spend time asking, "Why?" or "Why Me?"  Instead they served  Xmas dinner to help other homeless people at a shelter. 

How do we find peace over these unspeakable tragic acts?

Mindfulness.

Nothing has ever been resolved by anger or sadness.  We must go inside and just be with our feelings.  We must become the parent to those feelings, by first acknowledging that the hurt is there, then comfort those feelings.  Thich Nhat Hanh says to "love them."  Love your feelings the same way a parent would love a child who is crying.

Inside of us is a small child crying and hurt.  It's important that we nurture that child.   

When we send our feelings love, we are turning away from our limited mind.    The mind doesn't know.  Many of us are stuck asking it,  "Why?" or "Why Me?"  

Our webmaster  Randy, who has had four heart attacks, counsels other heart attack patients.  He says "I can't stand it when people feel sorry for themselves and keep asking, 'Why Me?'  I say, Why not you?  Instead, find the strength to just go on."

When we are mindful, and stop torturing the mind, and letting the mind torture us asking 'Why?' , the answers come out of our silence from a deep place of wisdom.  So if you are hurt, afraid and anxious, find immediate comfort and peace over the situation by going inside. Locate in your body where you feel the hurt and fear.   Cradle it with your loving awareness, and watch it dissolve.   

Dropping the stories you concoct in your head and being with your feelings in silence, allows your higher, intuitive self to take over.  You will not only find the answers to any situation, but you will also find the right path to proceed in life with peace and wisdom.

Blessings, love and light to the Arizona victims and their families.  May you find inner peace, healing and love.

Watch this incredibly beautiful video by David Ault: