Thursday, April 19, 2007

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It is a sin to be poor.

To quote George Bernard Shaw, "It is a sin to be poor."

James Ray International

If you trace the etymology (roots) of the word sin to its Greek origin, you'll find that it comes from an archery term meaning "to miss the mark."

In today's society, you're compensated monetarily based upon the value (real or perceived) that you provide.

For example, we obviously place more value on our own entertainment than we do our own evolution, transformation and growth. Witness the difference in remuneration between an actor and a teacher.

We also have no problem compensating our sports figures multiple millions of dollars per year to chase balls around a field (Tiger Woods pulled in over $80 million last year), but we think that our spiritual teachers are supposed to be paupers. That's faulty logic.

It's interesting to me that many of us in Western culture are conditioned to believe that it's not "spiritual" to make (or desire) large sums of money (green energy). This is ludicrous!

In the creative story in Genesis, God stepped back on the 7th day to observe His handiwork and determined it was all "good." All of it.

Anytime you "damn" any part of creation, you dam God.

For where is God not? Where is spirit not? Where is energy not? It's all the same stuff.

When you truly understand that the money in your world (or lack thereof) is directly related to the value you provide, then you'll realize that those who aren't making enough of it aren't providing enough value. This is the REAL mistake or missing the mark: an incorrect focus.

Quite frankly, I've never had a money goal for the entirety of my life until just recently... and yet I've become a multi-millionaire. Why? My entire focus has been to learn, grow, love and give more value to myself and others.

...and money has come as a byproduct of this focus.

"Why do you have one now?" you may ask. Only because I believe that in our society, like Warren Buffet states, "Money is just a convenient way of keeping score." I use the money my company generates as a feedback mechanism to how much value we're providing to the world. No more, no less.

One of the messages in my daily Thoughts of Power (sign up free online) is this:

"A feast is made for laughter and wine maketh merry; but money answereth all things."
--Ecclesiastes 10:19

If you look at studies of those who are "poor," it's comprehensive. Poor is a state of mind, not just an empty wallet or purse. Those in our world who are poor are also invariably poor in their relationships, their intellects, their health... All of which are pillars of Harmonic Wealth®.

Poor is a focus, a vibration and mindset that attracts more of the same.

Only when you change the fundamental cause of this vibration will you ever experience different results and indeed "hit the mark."

Mr. Shaw was dialed in.

To your continued wealth and happiness,

James Arthur Ray
President/CEO
James Ray International

P.S. I've got free events scheduled for all over the country. Seats are limited, so save your spot.

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Blogger wisdom said ... (4/27/2007 10:51 AM) : 
thank you for all the time you put into helping others succede. i am determined to meet with you one day soon(+thinking)Untill then I will try to reach you on the other plane. I know you must be to busy to personal return any e-mail but if you ever do please keep me in mind it is nice to know you are not to out of reach


Blogger Demandra said ... (7/24/2007 4:52 PM) : 
"Those in our world who are poor are also invariably poor in their relationships, their intellects, their health... All of which are pillars of Harmonic Wealth®."

There are great points in this post about wealth being a multi-faceted thing. But the above comment speaks to age old knee-jerk stereotypes about the poor. Suggesting that poor people have crappy relationships, are stupid and in ill health is offensive to the majority of the world's populace. MOST of the world subsists on less than $1 a day. For those of us who work with the homeless and the working poor, stereotypes like these are damaging and lead people to spend more time worrying about their personal wealth than the health of the community at large. There are larger paradigms at work here than individual responsibility. I would suggest that the author note the Pulitizer prize winning novel, "The Working Poor" by David K. Shipler for a balanced discussion on personal and collective responsibility.

We are a part of the whole. Offering blanket stereotypes about the majority of the earth's inhabitants damages not only those who live on less than $1 each day, but on those of us who have material abundance. Wealth is not an indication of health, relationships or intellect (visit Los Angeles for evidence!). Nor is poverty. Such a simplistic approach is intellectually irresponsible.

It's wonderful to support and empower people people in living in true abundance. However, it is socially irresponsible to label the majority of the world so negatively because they do not fit Western paradigms of material wealth.


Blogger Heather said ... (7/26/2007 8:16 AM) : 
In response to that last comment I think you may be missing the point Mr Ray is trying to make. Thought creates things and your personal focus seems to be on the financial Lack in the world? There is no suggestion that poverty Alone creates bad relationships, bad health or otherwise, he was making a valid observation, not imposing a state of living on the less financially blessed amongst us. The article was focusing on helping us all to realise we can actually have harmony in EVERY area of our lives THROUGH our state of mind. To some the harmony required through financial wealth may be more than for others. Not everyone wants or needs the responsibility of being a multi millionaire to achieve harmonic happiness. As Mr Ray stated, money alone does not create happiness or wealth, the positive use of it however, does.

I don't believe there is anything damaging about giving "hope" and to my mind there was no suggestion of stereotypes created through financial poverty. He endorses the fact that EVERYONE has an equal opportunity to use their thoughts and actions to create happiness within. As for suggesting that Mr Ray is socially irresponsible.... like me, you "Chose" to read this article.. Nobody made you continue and arouse anger towards it. Which supports all his beliefs.. That thoughts create our reality. The energy we waste on being angry and judgemental can be far better employed in creating balance in our lives for ourselves and others which will ultimately lead us all towards harmonic wealth.


Blogger AVWJ said ... (7/26/2007 8:58 AM) : 
Thank you - James Ray!

Your words are an inspiration and confirmation that my Heavenly Father - provides for me in abundance completely. For those who can take what you like and leave the rest. For who cannot or chose to write about the poor - attempting to fit the Atlantic Ocean into your thimble sized thinking may be the issue or not.


Blogger Abenwi Ngwa Fobeteh said ... (7/26/2007 9:19 AM) : 
Who says wonders shall end?.Wonders shall never end and wonders like James Ray is a living testimony to this reality.Thank you james for all the wisdom and insight into the deep things of life and wealth.I think it will not be an over statement for me to request that your name be added to the seven wonders of the world.As for me i know of eight wonders.People like you appear i think once after every 500years on the surface of the earth and i think our generation with me inclusive have no excuse to not enjoy life to the full as God almighty intended before the foundation of the earth.Having teachers and mentors like you forces tears dawn my eyes because i feel i have myself to blame for not making it in areas of life.
Your massage speaks huge volumes of modern day reality of steroetypes who believe poverty is a gate way to heaven.My kid sister discusing with her just yesterday told me how rich people like Bill Gate have sleepless nights because of money and ahvances all reasons why she believes mediocracy is the best option for humanity.Worst of it all is that these philosophies are perpetuated by "born again christians"like my sister.But on the other hand i thank God for teachers like you who bring the reality from a biblical perspective about God abundant life in all areas.
Thanks soo much James and i am looking forward to seeing you in one of your events in my area.
GOD BLESS.


Blogger livelifeinspired said ... (7/26/2007 3:57 PM) : 
I have more of a question acutally. I really admire your work. I fully believe it is a sin to be poor. It also makes sense to me that if you really believe you're on the right path, and you're doing something that not only makes a significant difference in the world, but is also what you have spent 15 years of your life studying, than the money would be there. For me though, this just isn't true. I also 100% believe that if one part of your life is off, the rest is also probably out of balance, but again, for me this isn't true. I'm a health counselor and my health is great, my relationships are great, my life is great. I even pay close attention to the moves that I make in my life based on my intuition (I studied osho, meditate, etc), but for some odd reason, the money doesn't seem to be enough when I do make an intuitive move. Any ideas at what may be occuring?


Blogger Maria said ... (7/28/2007 7:34 AM) : 
I am looking forward to meeting you in Atlanta in October.
Your work is an inspiration that it can be done. I have a similar problem to yours. I am unable to keep the material wealth I acquire. I can not tell you how many times I have had to start all over again. I am in one of those moments.
I hope I can resolve it in your workshop.Thank you


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