A thought came into my mind today about this.you know almost everybody thinks,how come im not rich like that guy.than i read in a spiritual book,that first you have to experience being poor,before you experience being rich.it makes sense.somebody has to do the dirty stuff.we all can not be doctors.we have to get our turn sometime.George

Being a doctor, and not particularly rich, I figured I'm qualified to answer this one.  Wealth is neither a vice or a virture; it just is.  If you believe that our true nature is that of abundance, and wealth is important to you, you can become wealthy.  However, spiritual wealth tends to have less to do with bank accounts, and more to do with accountability of actions.  Giving your time to others.  Expressing love.  

There are many unhappy wealthy people out there.  In my opinion their unhappiness does not come from having money.  Rather, they did not live by the golden rule (do unto others), and may have engaged in seflishness while acquiring moeny.   The poem "Richard Cory" comes to mind:

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.


And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.


And he was rich, richer than a king—
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.


So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head

Simon And Garfunkel had a great song based on this poem, btw.  I have said before on the board, that I think it is all a state of mind.  Wealth is not evil.  Abundance can be seen as our birghright, as long as our hearts are in the right place.

Matthew

Rich or poor makes no difference to peace of mind....it is said that a crust of bread eaten in peace is better than any other.

Deep Peace (Donovan lyrics, many other versions)
     
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace deep peace
Deep peace of the sleeping stones to you
Deep peace of the wandering wind to you
Deep peace of the flock of stars to you
Deep peace deep peace
Deep peace of the eastern wind to you
Deep peace of the western wind to you
Deep peace of the northern wind to you
Blue wind of the south to you
Pure red of the whirling flame to you
Pure white of the silver moon to you
Pure green of the emerald grass to you
Deep peace deep peace

blessings, blink

George,

Storms , rain , hail, summer, winter, sorrow, blessing, pain. etc etc

Fall on the good and the bad, rich and poor

Alan

I always got the feeling I was rich before, and opened my mouth either then or after that death and said "Hey, I could deal with being poor, no problem!"

And here I am.  Feel free to kick me.    :)

Hi I'm rich because my children are healthy and strong,i'm rich because i have two little dogs whom i absolutly adore and love also my children,i'm rich because i have you all as my friends on here and most of all i'm rich because i feel love in my heart for others and the animal kingdom and whatever i do not gain on earth,my riches are in heaven when i cross to spirit as one thing i take with me will be love,my i will be so rich before i die.

Love and God bless   love juditha

Juditha

[edit]Hi I'm rich because my children are healthy and strong,i'm rich because i have two little dogs whom i absolutly adore and love also my children,i'm rich because i have you all as my friends on here and most of all i'm rich because i feel love in my heart for others and the animal kingdom and whatever i do not gain on earth,my riches are in heaven when i cross to spirit as one thing i take with me will be love,my i will be so rich before i die.

Love and God bless   love juditha[/edit]

You said it all girl. I am rich for all the same reasons I have four beautiful daughters, ten grandchildren and one lovely dog called Ausie.

Love

Alan