God really does want Hindus to be rich.
Hindu practices generally involve seeking awareness of God and sometimes also seeking blessings from Devas It requires faith plus action. So today, let's create our own "Hindu Rules of Getting Rich." I'll give you my ideas, you improve them and make them yours.
Hinduism has developed numerous practices meant to help one think of divinity in the midst of everyday life. Let’s apply those to wealth creation. There’s nothing wrong with being rich from faith. We can’t rely on our leaders, we have to rely on ourselves. Faith's a great way to start! I'm inspired because I've been seeing so many "How to Get Rich" books, and articles lately. Publishers know we want what we don’t have and being rich is a universal dream. A headline selling promises of a better future sells during a poor economy.
Fate, I identify with that. A twist of fate, and suddenly faith, destiny and talent hit you. All Hindus have deep faith inside, waiting for that moment. So let's try to put our finger on it today, in the broad sense, with our "Five Hindu Rules for Getting Rich."
Economist Paul Zane Pilzer has a bestselling book called "God Wants You to Be Rich: The Theology of Economics". While the book speaks to Christians, the message applies to Hindu’s as well. God wants each Hindu to be rich in every possible way, health, love, and peace of mind, as well as material possessions. God wants this, not just for our own sake, but for the sake of all mankind. Increased wealth for an individual almost always represents even more wealth for all of society.
Of course the message can get distorted, one-sided, and super selfish. And yes, that culture now runs Wall Street, Washington and Corporate America. But the principle is valid, a balanced pursuit, selfish and selfless, material and moral. This is one of those moments in history, a chance to shift our values back, get rich for ourselves and for a higher purpose.
First rule: Trust Ishwar ... but not his 'enemies'
Invest ethically following ethical principles relevant to the context of Dharma and crucial to Ahimsa/Karuna or non-violence and Loka-samgraha/Metta or the concept of stewardship. The spirit of these concepts forms the basis for the first investing rule.
Second rule: Pay off your debts.
Clean up your finances before you invest. You are guaranteed to save money on interest when you remove debt.
Third rule: Making money is the result of trading your time for money
Time spent planning upfront can lead to success in the future. Keep current on investment news and work with trusted advisors.
Fourth rule: Be patient
Your parents, teachers and friends have drilled into you the importance of patience throughout your life. But, how many times have you considered patience in your investing life? Impatience is said to breed anxiety, fear and discouragement; all of which make you a failure. Patience transforms you into a confident, decisive and a rational being. Impatience can be the root of many a predicament. It may incite you to make hasty decisions, draw wrong assumptions and do the wrong things, ultimately landing you in trouble.
Fifth rule: Getting rich means trusting in you
Self confidence ensures success not just in school exams, but in the life beyond. Determine your goal. Draw up a plan to achieve the goal.
In the final analysis, I know that “getting rich through faith" is about neither money nor religion. "Getting rich through faith" goes deeper, you're in a very personal "deal" between you and God and also seeking blessings from Devas.
Each atman comes to Earth with gifts to contribute its blessing in specific ways. Each agrees to perform certain tasks upon Earth. We enter into a sacred agreement with the all the Universe. Our life experiences serve to remind you of that contract, and to prepare you to fulfill it.
You can't wait for blessings to come to you. Hindus should never just sit and do nothing. Rather do whatever is in front of you, and leave the blessings up to Ishwar; however it turns out, that's God's will.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
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