Multiplying their income numerous times over, starting or flourishing a successful business, getting into a phenomenal state of health and fitness, and finding and creating loving, connected relationships are among the recurring themes included in the countless testimonials that continue to pour in.
HARMONY—THE ELEGANT WHOLE
Maybe you know people who make millions of dollars a year but don't have fulfilling relationships or good health. Or people who spend their lives committed to religion or spirituality, literally touching the divine, but have holes in their shoes. We all know people who have razor-sharp intellects but are out of shape and out of touch. There's a much more integrated, fulfilling way to live: I call it Harmonic Wealth.
Harmonic Wealth isn't just about material abundance—although that's a fun and extremely necessary component. It's about abundance in all areas of your life. Think of harmony as a musical performance, in which different instruments move to weave a magical tapestry. Now, apply this to your life.
Wouldn't you like to have all the different parts of your life moving toward an elegant whole that's more than the sum of its parts? That's Harmonic Wealth.
Most people equate wealth with money. While money is a part of wealth, it's so much more than that. True wealth is a state of harmony and well-being. I know people who are multi-multimillionaires who would gladly hand over half their net worth to have more health, loving relationships, or a personal connection with something beyond themselves. A truly wealthy individual experiences harmony in all facets of his or her life—a sense of fulfillment and well-being that transcends the momentary happiness of lopsided achievements in one or two areas while neglecting the others.
So, you're about to learn how to have an abundance of well-being in the five key areas of life, what I call the Five Pillars of Wealth: Financial, Relational, Mental, Physical, and Spiritual. Without these five pillars, you might be rich, but you'll never be wealthy. Interestingly enough, I've found that the more you reach this state of true wealth, the more money rushes to you—and all that money can provide. The universe is at your command and lines up in joyous support of your awakening.
Creating Harmonic Wealth brings an overall sense of well-being, fulfillment, even unity. Understand that your pillars are interdependent: When you attend to each of them, all increase in strength. When you take care of your health by working out regularly and eating well, you create multiple benefits. Sexual relationships become enhanced by your greater confidence and stamina. Business booms from your increased energy. You're more alert and receptive in spiritual pursuits. You're more alive. Similarly, spiritual growth translates to deepening intimacy in friendships and romantic relationships, fueling your desire to keep up with your physical exercise.
Research in the evolution of consciousness now proves that cross training is the key to exponential growth. This is a fundamental concept we'll be dealing with in this journey. Through revealing personal stories and case studies, ancient and cutting-edge wisdom, and simple but powerful exercises, we'll look at how to make the most of this integrative way of life. What's more, we'll reveal how, with Harmonic Wealth, you can create true wealth by going 3 for 3 in the five main areas of life. Going "3 for 3" is what happens when your thoughts, your feelings, and your actions are all firing simultaneously and in alignment. I'll give you proven action steps that are practical and easy to implement—the same steps that have catapulted my life and work into the world. I'll keep them down, dirty, and simple, because if you're anything like me, you want your results yesterday already.
WHY BALANCE IS BOGUS
I'm a great believer in harmony, but balance is bogus. Many teachers talk about balance, and guess what? Not one of them is balanced. I know; I used to be one of them. The only people who are perfectly balanced are six feet under and it's not your time yet. Balance in this world cannot be achieved, so get over it.
Think of a scale. In perfect balance, nothing's happening. There's no dynamism, no life or vibrancy. Now, think of a jazz band in action—the life and vibrancy are palpable, aren't they? The performers in this band have less to do with playing the melody as written and more to do with improvising. They give life to nuance and the music takes shape in the moment. That's harmony. The different parts aren't balanced—sometimes the saxophone leads. Sometimes it's the bass, or the drum or lead guitar. Whatever instrument is out in front at the moment, they're all contributing, all creating that amazing thing called music. Each musician plays his part of a magical, magnificent whole.
I want to encourage you to think of your life like this. When you're in harmony, some days your parenting skills will lead. Other times it'll be your job or your school. On certain occasions your marriage will take center stage. Sometimes you're going to be running on two hours' sleep, having worn the same clothes three days in a row. It may not be pretty, but that may be just what it takes to finish the business plan that lands you the big dollars and the nourishing rest and relaxation that follows. If you had been in perfect balance, you never would have pulled those crazy hours to begin with, and look at what you'd have missed. So, with my way, you're going to have to get used to the idea that you're never going to be in perfect balance, nor would you want to. Perfect balance is death, death of mind and spirit.
Hopefully I've just lightened your load if you're good at traveling on guilt trips on account of your lack of balance. It's time to get over it. Knowing that nothing dynamic's happening when you're in balance, why would you want to be? Harmony is where it's at; harmony is dynamic and full of life, even if you choose to venture temporarily into choppy seas. While it's true that you can't control the waves, who said you can't learn to surf?
If you're still tempted to strain for balance, you've been forewarned that it's always going to be an impossible dream. My prayer is that you'll see throughout the chapters how liberating it is to cease chasing this illusion.
Conscious Capitalism
