What is Enough?
Much of our Spiritual and Mindfulness Practice is to recognize patterns of the mind that contribute to suffering. Meditation helps us observe these patterns and notice the grief that results. Much of this anguish has to do with “clinging” to ideas and concepts that work against us.
Unfortunately, our society, belief systems, and survival instinct surrender to this desire for “more”. We have been taught to constantly achieve, and our unobserved survival brain wants more — more money, more acknowledgement, more power — to stay alive (not live or flourish, mind you, but survive). We are also surrounded with messaging that validates the benefits of having more. All advertising and marketing are created for us to crave more, to acquire more.
We become so conditioned with these belief systems, we ignore the fact that much of our suffering comes from this conditioning we are fed on a daily basis.
Some common “wanting more” examples are with Time and Money. Since many of us are programmed to keep doing, we end up needing to do so much that we run into this constant “not enough time” to do all we want. At the end of the day or week, you notice that you more than likely accomplish most of but not all of whatever it is you want to do. Notice how this constant struggle with time causes small amounts of suffering on a daily basis.
How to end your struggle with Time
Begin each day with the Mantra (repeating phrase) of “I have ENOUGH time.” Notice how this simple practice allows your body to ease up, release, and, in turn, create more space. This opening makes for less tension in the body, in the mind, and energetically. You will notice that with this space, you actually generate more time for yourself. Mentally take yourself out of the practice of shortage and bring yourself into the practice of abundance.
Facing your money fear
From early childhood, many of us are conditioned to fear the scarcity of money — the word alone creates tension, anxiety, and reactivity among most. Granted, we all need capital for our basics such as housing and food, but notice there is a feeling of dread, a worry of "not enough" even when our basic necessities are taken care of. Through life's journey, we may encounter times of less money and times of more. Ultimately, however, many of us have ENOUGH because we seem to be making it through day-by day.
How to end your struggle with Money
Whatever your financial situation, notice how much of the mental conditioning is causing the tension around lack, fear, and scarcity. If you want to invite more Money into your life, you need to loosen your grasp on it and start practicing from a place of abundance. Begin each day with the Mantra, “I have enough money.” As you practice your money meditation, include your friends and family and include the rich and the poor. Practice this by repeating, “May all beings have enough.” Even include that person you may feel has more than enough. This practice will help to create space; this space will help you release the tension. The release will help change mental patterns and ultimately, change the energy around money.
Encourage abundance by embracing enough
Whatever you may feel you don’t have enough of, meditate by repeating the phrase “I have enough ____.” This blank space can be filled with the word time, money, love, friends, skills, or food. What is very important to do at the end of your practice is to repeat the phrase “I am enough.”
It’s time to open up your energy, end the suffering, and invite “enough” into your life. The more you practice, the more abundance you will witness.
~ Namaste
To learn more about Mahnaz Jahangiri and her yoga and meditation practice, please visit her at samadiyoga.com.
