What's Driving Your Economy? by Barbara Reid "As lightworkers, many of us have been working to increase the light quotient of the world. We are told we have positively affected the group consciousness of humanity. What impact does this work have on economic structures? What kind of economic ideal is visualized for the golden age? What will be the transition from our current economic pattern?" A group of learners sat in my living room. As a conscious channel, I heard this question from one of the participants. It seemed a very big topic, and one that could start a helpful dialogue within and beyond that group. Ascended Master Djwhal Khul (hereafter affectionately referred to as DK) reminded us that, because this planet is in a free will zone, every human is able to make choices which affect both small and large outcomes. This is universal law. Therefore, specific predictions are impossible. Then he explained: "The economy upon which the world now operates is one based upon scarcity and greed. Scarcity is perceived as a universal condition, and greed is perceived as the universal fundamental human motivation. Both, as you know, are erroneous, for the truth of the universe is abundance, and the truth of human motivation is love. Thus there will be a sea change in the way that economic issues are dealt with, and in the definition of economic issues. I cannot tell you what the steps are from here to there. "The economy of our envisioned or intended future is one based upon a human desire for community, a human desire for unity with its source, and a profound human respect and comprehension of the nature of the earth. The earth as a physical entity is overflowing with abundance only when she is cared for appropriately, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. "As your culture continues to celebrate such things as a ‘monster truck rally’ or a ‘Street of Dreams,’ it is challenging to see the movement toward honoring the earth and toward the love motivation. As, however, you become informed, through the alternative press or through those whom you know, you can see that manifestations of appreciation for the mother are growing." "In even the smallest decisions, ask, ‘Am I doing this out of fear or out of love?’ " Another student asked for a definition of greed, which DK provided: "the intention to gain, based on the fear of scarcity or the fear of being denied something that one wants." "As you know," he continued, "in every intention, in every action, in every decision, you are, at the bottom, motivated by fear or by love. It is a very useful exercise, in even the smallest decisions, to ask, ‘Am I doing this out of fear or out of love?’ If you should ever go to the mall and observe the shoppers, you will see great examples of both fear and love. For there are those who go there because they wish to find a certain book that a certain person would enjoy very much. And there are those who go there and find themselves hooked by the signs which say, ‘Buy now and save $20. If you buy later you will not save. If you do not buy, you will not gain.’ " It remains to be seen, said the ascended master, whether there can be an incremental shift from one economy to the other. This will be determined only by the ongoing decisions made by each human. Many believe their own interests are served by the current economy of scarcity, and have not faced the fact that Earth and the spirit cannot long support it. As an example of this, recently I watched several commercials on television. It seems these advertisements are aimed at very dissatisfied, restless people. Our technology has given us jobs we don’t want to go to, and all the conveniences to support them: fast food, microwaves, fast-moving entertainment. Yet many feel their lives are uninspiring and monotonous. The night I watched TV, the major product being sold was the automobile. It was apparent that the car is sold as our escape from the drudgery we experience. But look at traffic now. The car itself has become a tool of drudgery. The so-called freeways are jammed; gridlock paralyzes our physical mobility in our automobiles, yet the advertisers show their cars transporting us to open country and individual liberation. We continue to insist that the car is a tool of freedom and sovereignty ("I could never give up my car"; "you’ll never see me taking a train/bus to work") because we can’t see any other area where we experience freedom. Western culture is based, at this time, on a basic belief that growth should be constant and unending. Corporations have no room for temporary downturns in buying patterns. This creates a need to sell harder and harder, and to expand markets into new arenas, eliminating companies that specialize. This is like expecting one’s heart or lungs to perform their functions without ever contracting. Everything of Earth is cyclic, but corporations and their investors create a "need" to increase profits every quarter. Can the apple tree bear fruit without a fallow period in the winter? How are we to deal with all of this? What if we begin by living our own lives as cleanly as possible? The change of our economic system could happen in an evolutionary way or in a revolutionary way. Do you believe that there will be a dramatic economic collapse? As you consider this possibility, check whether your belief is based on fear or love. Many people have thought about how they could take advantage of such an event. They think that maybe they’ll run up debt now, for surely in the chaos, debts will be canceled. They buy up gold or weapons, for they believe these could give them the upper hand in some way if societal structures break down. On the contrary, the real wealth and freedom, in times of peace or in times of confusion, is the love that flows between each person and his or her spiritual source, and between each person and his or her fellow human. Generosity, compassion, a fluid give-and-take — these are the habits that counteract both scarcity and greed. As we build up these habits day by day, we prepare ourselves for whatever economic eventualities may appear. As I realized this, it became clear that I have a lot of work to do! Djwhal Khul suggested "ceasing, upon your own initiative, from the motivations of greed which you find within yourself." More easily said than done! I see huge gaps between my intended attitudes and the ones I act out on a daily basis. How often do I ask, "How can I get more for less?" instead of "What serves the spirit and humanity?" Do I expect constant growth and productivity of myself and others, or do I allow fallow time to replenish, as does Mother Earth? Do my life activities focus on competition or collaboration? Examining our own motivations seems to be the path to preparing for any of the possible future economic scenarios. What about the bigger societal picture? A class participant asked about the almost omnipresent corporate focus on monetary profit as the most important aspect of business. How can this be changed? Djwhal Khul provided words of hope: There is a commission of beings who are encouraging advisors to corporations now. One aim is to bring organizational mission statements into alignment with higher values. "You, as a member of a corporation, are encouraged to do several things. First, as possible, encourage the corporation and the members thereof to see their mission in human terms. Each individual who works for an organization has choices to make. If individuals find that their personal mission is too strongly at odds with an organization, they may desert ship." This could leave unethical corporations without support, and encourage others to align with truth for practical, as well as idealistic, reasons. "Another aspect of corporate behavior that can be encouraged is the participation of the corporate entity in the community. This is increasingly difficult as corporations become more multinational. Those who are involved with a small corporation have a great opportunity to influence that company to set an example as a responsible citizen locally. The multinationals, too, need to be encouraged, through letters and whatever communication is available, to be responsible to the humans who serve them and whom they serve. "And finally, again, the concept of exchanging goods or services without benefit of monetary labeling or amount-setting is a very helpful trend which may be not suited so much to the corporate world, but certainly can be expanded to be a part of every small business." We are not to live in some dream world, thinking challenging times can’t happen. We are to count on neither a smooth, rosy future nor a catastrophe, but to face things the way they actually occur. Djwhal Khul assures us, "The structure of corporations is, as all structures, built to support itself. Thus it is a knobby problem. It is an issue fraught with obstacles." Then, to remind us that we are always at choice about our response, he adds, "Perhaps if nothing else, as you deal with these obstacles, you will build your own strength." As I reviewed the information discussed that evening, I began to make a list. The first step is to examine our own hearts for fear/scarcity/greed motivation or for love/community/abundance motivation. DK recommended becoming more aware of, and participating in, as possible, these light-bringing economic activities: • living more simply with less "stuff" • recycling • socially responsible investing • tithing to charities • barter systems (organized or unorganized) • intentional communities • encouraging organizations to serve the greater whole. To these potential actions I add my own ideas: • buy locally, from local producers if possible • patronize small businesses whose business practices you may be able to influence • buy from companies with light-based economic practices such as a refusal to use child labor, voluntary limits on upper-level salaries, real community participation, environmental action Finally, let us remember that it is not only our visible actions that create our reality. Meditating on cooperation, joy, and abundance for all, and sending healing energy where we know it is needed, sets into motion invisible but effective action. As synchronicities in our lives tell us every day, we live in a powerful force field where our spirit, and the greater spirit of which we are a part, produce tangible results of surprising magnitude. You never know what can happen! Barbara Reid is an intuitive, teacher, and channel. With Ascended Master Djwhal Khul, she offers Inner Life Readings, helping individuals and couples see and resolve the causes of their issues. For readings, weekly classes, relationship audio tapes, or a free sample copy of her newsletter, call or write Lifeways, 6201 15th Avenue NW #P-270, Seattle, WA 98107-2382, (206) 783-4185.