Yesterday I asked if you are letting emotions keep you broke. The reason why of course is that for many people, money and material possessions carry a powerful emotional energy.
I know when I was poor, they had a very strong energy for me. Very negative energy, because I was jealous of people who had money and that feeling bled over into how I viewed everything to do with prosperity.
I bought into the common beliefs that money is bad, rich people are evil, and it’s spiritual to be poor. Millions of people are infected with these mind viruses. If you think you are, you will find a great deal of help with this issue in my book, How to Get SMART, HEALTHY & RICH!
I promised you an example that just happened demonstrating how emotion impacts people’s beliefs about money. Here’s the story…
Last week I sent out a post on Twitter about James Ray, and what a tragedy that whole situation that happened in Arizona was. (In case you haven’t heard, he was conducting a spiritual retreat and several attendees dies in a sweat lodge experience they were doing.)
I saw James was arrested for manslaughter and wrote how sorry I was to see that. I’ve known James for more than ten years and always felt he is a good guy. Obviously the whole accident in Arizona was horrible, but it’s certainly nothing he would have done intentionally.
Yet I received a poisonous response from one of my followers, spilling over with venom, hoping James goes to prison. Now I understand something went wrong and someone has to take responsibility. But here was the really fascinating thing about the response…
He didn’t talk about the people that lost their lives. What he was upset about was that James charged $9,000 for the workshop.
There are some real lessons about prosperity and the emotional charge money has in that. So what’s the lesson for you?
-RG
Prosperity TV
The fear of poverty is stronger than the fear of death in most people. If you don't think so, consider this:
How many times do you hear people complain about money? Fear the lack of it? Fear handling it?
How many times do you hear someone talk about being scared of dying?
Some may have a deep fear of death but money issues are deeper because it's something we encounter on a daily/hourly basis. Most are raised with a poverty consciousness. My mom clipped coupons like crazy and bragged every time her grocery bill was cut in half or more.
When was the last time you saw a Ferrari commercial?
Randy,
Amazing. I didn't see the reply in question, but will seek it out after writing this. I get what you are saying here, and appreciate you highlighting it. I recently lost my father (he was 67) and it catalyzed some new ways I look at what really matters in life.
As far as James Ray's circumstances, I really hope it doesn't become a circus - it's a terrible situation for all involved.
Randy, I came across many comments all over the place where people called Mr. Ray a 'swindler' for charging that amount for any workshop.
First of all, I was amazed that of all things, people were complaining about the COST of the workshop.
Immediately, because of the cost of the workshop, Mr. Ray suddenly became a snake oil salesman with only the intention of bilking thousands from their hard earned income. Talk about programs.
I'm curious at what price range does a person go from being an 'honest' person, to a snake oil salesman. Who determines that? The media? The ones who believe people who make money are evil? The ones who live in lack their entire lives?
Obviously not the attendees of the event, or the thousands of others who have attended in the past.
The fact that this story has become more about the cost of the event, and stringing up Mr. Ray than it is about celebrating the lives that were lost, is a sad and obvious indication of how the masses are programmed to think about money.
Thanks for bringing up this sensitive yet powerful example.
With Gratitude,
Jhanna
And that is why people stay broke ... have empathy for the people who've lost NOT just their money, but overwhelmingly more important - their lives ... but DON'T let that clog your brain with negativity about rich people.
A rich person did not kill those people. A terrible accident did that and it had nothing to do with how much money was spent there.
Ditto on what you said about James Ray, Randy. THAT was definitely NOT intentional.
That is terrible news...I will pray for James. I try not to be jealous of other people's success or possessions, I always strive to succeed. I have found that one of the things that holds me back in life is the definition of success that I have...I have a lot of "if that's" that need to come true in order for me to consider myself a success. I have set the bar ridiculously high to call myself a success, and I am constantly "sucking wind" when it comes to achievements, because when I reach a goal, it is never quite good enough for me to consider my self successful. Somehow I imagine it would be easier to succeed if I set some challenging goals and then celebrated that milestones as they are reached. Under my current belief system, I will never succeed!
According to salaryexpert.com (http://www.salaryexpert.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=browse.News-Anchor-salary-data-details&PositionId=92545&CityId=300), the average salary for a news anchor is $106,029 ...
Funny how they write and report on how BAD the rich people are and how they take advantage of the poor people. Last I heard (data from 2005 Census), if you make over 6 figures, you are in the top 5% of income earners in the U.S. ... media people can hardly find fault with those they share this income class with!
Ok so it sounds like you know exactly how to correct that.
-RG
Yes, I think I also need to set milestones and celebrate them in addition to setting goals. For example, setting a 30 day milestone for new habits. That way I will be celebrating each success on the road to my big goals.
Randy - I agree with you about James Ray. Somebody has to take responsibility for what happened, but that should happen in civil litigation. What he did was to commit an unfortunate accident. Bad judgement? Perhaps. A criminal offense? No way. To require him to post a $5million dollar bond is ludicrous.
I live in Arizona, so I have been subjected to daily news items about this unfortunate incident. Sounds to me like it is a case of a publicity hungry sheriff trying to capitalize on James Ray's public image. But we have quite a few publicity hungry sheriffs in Arizona.
Ted Pawlikowski
"I’m curious at what price range does a person go from being an ‘honest’ person, to a snake oil salesman. Who determines that? The media? The ones who believe people who make money are evil? The ones who live in lack their entire lives?"---brilliantly put, Jhanna!
Remember also that the people who attended could afford to attend, and felt drawn and privileged to do so. They understood the risks. If an accident like this happened on some "nobody's" ranch, we wouldn't even be hearing about it.
Just a bit of opinion from the good ol' Yankee Quarter.
James Ray himself would say, it is noble to charge what you are worth, as long as you are providing 10 X 's that in VALUE.
Bob Burg (from Go-Givers Sell More) would say "your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment."
My point is, anyone who thinks "$XX dollars is a lot of money", has just drawn (in permanent marker), the boundaries of their prosperity consciousness. And sadly, will find themselves stuck there in perpetual self-fulfillment.
My prayers to James A Ray, who to me represents all that is good and right in a person. But even he would say: "This too will serve me."
Cheers to James, Cheers to Randy, Cheers to Bob, and all of the other brilliant thought leaders to inspire me and so many others to new heights. I appreciate you.
Not being able to reach your goals because you set the bar too high...every time you reach a goal, the bar magically raises. What an interesting dilemma; most of us have the opposite problem of not setting the bar high enough! Where does the perfectionist mindset come from?
Possibly a topic for a future post??
I cant believe how that can happen to someone like him ...
What about his positive thinking ? He attract this situation in his life, right ?
K.
Ahhhh. those little moments of clarity...once it becomes clear, its time to take action.
Hi Michele - I won't tell the whole story, because I try no to give it power in my life, but I grew up in a **horrible** family situation. I have found over the years of self development, therapy, reflection, etc. that when I was boy, I coped with my world by making sure everything was perfect -code word controlled-around me. As an example, I literally went from living on the streets to #1 salesperson with a Fortune 100 company...a pretty lofty goal at the time and I thought I would **be successful** once I achieved that status. Instead I sat on my bed at the Phoenician in Scottsdale after I received an award for my achievement almost in tears, thinking to myself "Is this all there is?" Now I sound like a nut case **wink**. Hahaha Seriously, that was a nice achievement but obviously not my definition of success.
They make it sound like the people only died because they paid $9000 to attend the workshop. That doesn't surprise me and yes it's shocking to think that someone would concoct that notion but have you watched any TV news or read any newspaper headlines lately?
It's getting worse every day and it has unfortunately become a way of life for many. They look at the bad in everything and actually need the drama and lies so they have something exciting in their lives. What hope do they have?
I'm just so thankful that now, thanks to Randy and others, I am able to identify these ridiculous idioms and keep away from them, and teach my children too.
Onward and upward.
PS: My deepest sympathy goes to the families of those who perished in this unfortunate set of circumstances. I cannot fathom the depth of your grief, especially when it's public.
To James Ray, although I don't know you personally, I do know that you have done amazing work for many years adding value and helping thousands. This is such an unfortunate turn of events that I know you would not have done on purpose. It is going to take a huge toll on you and yours, and in that, you have my support.
I also think part of what the mainstream media is missing here is an important fact: agreement. Each of those individuals made an agreement of *personal responsibility* for their actions and signed a waiver that stated this could present some risk to their physical well being, but agreed to hold James, et al not liable. They agreed to pay the money for this retreat and felt it was an investment in themselves. $9000 represents about 6 months of tv watching time if you were paid $10/hr. The retreat was likely a better investment then that!
It is very sad that these individuals lost their lives and for what ever reason chose to take these steps of personal responsibility and yet were the victims of a tragic accident.
Are there better ways to facilitate this kind of program? Apparently there are and rather then shutting down all retreats like this in a classic knee-jerk reaction, I sincerely put forward the energy idea that it is simply modified to be more successful in the future.
I just saw this on the internet: "Money Can't Buy Happiness": http://neatorama.cachefly.net/money-happiness.htm
I've been avoiding TV & radio to avoid negative programming but I think I also need to be careful of the internet... Mind Viruses or "memes" are everywhere. Talk about "the emotional charge of money"...
Thank you, Randy, for sharing that experience and your thoughts with us. Gratitude.
"There are some real lessons about prosperity and the emotional charge money has in that. So what’s the lesson for you?"
Judgments are opinions restrained by dogmatic and self-limiting boundaries. Life is so much richer when we choose to suspend judgments and observe the world as we move through it. The entire life experience is better when we allow ourselves to
Life is richer when we choose to suspend judgment and simply observe and experience. Unless you know a person well enough to see things from their perspective, you haven't gotten to know them. That's an indication you have some personal development to work on.
The lesson for me is that when it comes to money/prosperity, the only appropriate feeling is love and respect.
Thanks to everybody for sharing their thoughts.
Thank you for a wonderful perspective on all of this!
-RG
I think James Ray is a great man with great ideas. One of the more well-rounded voices in personal development.
I no longer understand why people hate rich/successful people so much. I have been lucky to have known some, even though I am still on my journey.
Money only brings out what is already in a person.
James Ray rocks - he's a good man.
And $9000 for a weekend is NOT a lot of money. I have a friend who charges £10 000 for a group he runs... PLUS more for more attention (like 10% of all their income!)... He delivers OUTSTANDING work, and touches lives in deeply amazing ways.
I wept when I saw him being arrested - the pain on his face was terrible. I want to give him a big hug and hold him tight. It looked like he was holding so much in...
James is a good man. It's truly terrible what happened, and while I wouldn't say he handled it well it doesn't make me hate him. I think any time you avoid/ignore something and don't stand with full presense in it then the energy grows and becomes a curse. When people felt that he didn't care, it caused irrate reactions which is completely understandable. It makes me wonder what we can learn from this?
Where are we ignoring issues that could grow festering in the dark because we haven't shone Light and Love into it with powerful presence?
James is getting his personal experience in all areas of 'being responsible.' The legal system is adversarial and truth, if it is a part of the service, is a small part open to everyone's personal interpretation. Responsibility legally is a level way below what James teaches. While James intentions were golden that has never impressed me. The most evil people I know have 'good' intentions from their and their fans point of view. At some point it is results that count. The results of the weekend were not unpredictable given James commitment for a breakthrough experience for everyone in attendance. Many should not have been allowed to attend.
If he is found guilty it will be for what he failed to do especially before and during the incident. The cost of entry was far too low. In addition to the unreasonable low cost for the promises given, no one was required to prove with a medical exam they were capable of surviving the experience. I have participated in many similar ‘peak’ experience trips, opportunities and life altering events and every single one required much more than the money. I suspect James was not unreasonable enough regarding peoples commitment to their own well being and survival.
When one person dies in an event you are attending it attracts attention from places you have never heard of and will never want to know about. Three is a huge number… and it may be his final at bat in this arena.
I must admit that I was unaware of the James Ray tragedy.
I am working on reprogramming the common beliefs I bought into:
"that money is bad, rich people are evil, and it’s spiritual to be poor. Millions of people are infected with these mind viruses. If you think you are, you will find a great deal of help with this issue in my book, How to Get SMART, HEALTHY & RICH!"
I am reading several books to help me reprogram these mind viruses. Some of them are:
"Why You're dumb, Sick & Broke... And How to Get SMART, HEALTHY & RICH!"by Randy Gage
"As a Man Thinketh" by James Allen
"Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
I am also avoiding TV, radio & news to avoid the negative programs or mind viruses that we are exposed to everyday.
I did see something on the internet news that is a good example of a mind virus. It was a news story about a wealthy man who gave away all his money because he was unhappy. the story title: "Money Can't Buy Happiness, So Man Gives Away Every Penny of His £3 Million Fortune"
or this one: "Millionaire gives away fortune which made him miserable"
What emotions do those stories bring up? How do these stories influence your beliefs of money & happiness?
I believe God wants us to be prosperous. God wants us to be Happy, Healthy & Wealthy.
I am working on this by getting rid of all the negative programming & replacing it with positive programming about money, happiness, health, love, etc.
"The best thing you can do for the poor, starving and downtrodden, is to not be one of them." ~Randy Gage -
" The greatest gift you can give to others is the example of your own life working." Unknown
Man u gotta do piece on Karl Rabeder the miserable millionaire who gave all his money to charity.
By charging $9000 for the 5 Day Spiritual Warrior event,the spiritual leader James Arthur Ray must provide some value to the participants.Everything I've read about this specific retreat,the value looks to be zero.
There are so many red flags about this event that it's mind boggling.Left 3 people dead & 18 injured.Ray's big mistake is he left town & initially stonewalled authorities.Did not have accountability as leader.Paid the price by being arrested and currently in jail.
There's thousands of opinions about this event,James Ray & self help industry.The main thing is to cut through all the New Age mumbo jumbo and use a little common sense.
Yours is a clever way of thikning about it.
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Dear Mark,
My heart goes to you in the loss of your father. Yes...when we lose someone close to us, it changes our perspective in life. I lost my dad when I was 12 and I know it is what inspired me to chose my path in life.
Have a beautiful day,
Ligia M. Houben