The Zen of Saving.
Zen is about feeling peaceful. Feeling relaxed.
Connecting with one’s inner harmony has to do with “remembering” that we have always had access to this space. It’s more accurate than saying we are “discovering” our inner peace. We don’t need anyone or anything to tell us what the experience of inner peace is. There is a familiarity to it. It should feel familiar because peace and harmony is our natural state of being. Dissonance and financial stress are not part of our essential nature.
For many, money is an uncomfortable subject, which can quickly yank you out of a Zen state as if you’ve been pushed off a cliff and into free fall. Our relationship with money can be unhealthy. We love money. We hate money. Dr. Maria Nemeth, author of The Energy of Money said “This very discomfort is what makes our relationship with money such fertile ground. Whatever is potent for us, whatever elicits strong emotions, whatever seems to “hold on to us” in life has the power to bring forth our greatest strengths and most remarkable qualities.”
The subject of saving money for a future goal is especially problematic where only one in five working American adults admit to not setting aside enough of their annual income for short-term or long-term goals. This is true whether you participate in a 401(k), or for your retirement account.
Where is the Zen of money?
It has to do with our relationship with our money, and since money touches every part of our life, it has to do with how we define our life’s purpose.
The quality of your relationship with money is dependent on the quality of your ability to think and talk about money from a place of peace, instead of from a place of fear. What do I mean when I say, “your relationship with money?” I mean how you react to it both emotionally and intellectually when the money subject comes up. Do you find that you lose your temper easily when talking about money, or are you engaging in a conversation?
Panache Desai, author of You Are Enough, teaches us that living breath awareness is the most powerful tool. Finding peace and harmony is always available to us. It is as close as our breath
When talking about money, become aware of your emotional state. When the mental financial gremlins begin pounding away, quieting the chatter by anchoring into your breath.
During a state of peace and harmony, think about your short and long-term goals. Consider the impact your financial decision has on what’s important to you. Do this analysis from a state of calm, and your decisions will be in harmony with your authentic financial voice.
For more insights, read my free eBook, End Your War With Money.