In the journey towards attracting wealth and abundance, our minds can sometimes become clouded by negative views that hinder our progress.
In Tibetan Buddhist teachings, these negative views are often called the five poisons:
- Desire
- Jealousy
- Pride
- Ignorance
- Aggression
Recognizing and purifying these poisons is essential to creating a mindset of abundance and success. Let’s delve into each poison and explore ways to cleanse them from our consciousness.
1. Desire (Attachment):
Desire is the craving for something we believe will bring us happiness and fulfilment. However, when desire becomes excessive, it can lead to dissatisfaction and suffering.
To cleanse the poison of Desire: practice mindfulness and observe when desires arise.
Instead of grasping onto them, cultivate contentment and true happiness with what you have in the present moment.
Understand that true wealth comes from inner peace and gratitude.
2. Jealousy (Envy):
Jealousy arises when we compare ourselves to others and feel lacking or inferior. This poison can poison relationships and hinder our own growth.
To cleanse the poison of Jealousy: cultivate compassion and rejoice in the success of others.
Shift your focus from comparison to collaboration, understanding that everyone’s path is unique and abundant for all.
3. Pride (Ego):
Pride manifests as an inflated sense of self-importance and superiority over others. It blinds us to our own faults and limits our ability to learn and grow.
To cleanse the poison of Pride: practice humility and self-reflection.
Acknowledge your strengths and accomplishments without arrogance, and embrace feedback as an opportunity for growth.
Remember that true success is measured by inner qualities, not external validation.
4. Ignorance (Delusion):
Ignorance is the lack of awareness and understanding of the true nature of reality. It leads to misunderstandings, confusion, and suffering.
To cleanse the poison of Ignorance: cultivate wisdom through study, contemplation, and meditation.
Question your assumptions and beliefs, seek knowledge from reliable sources, and strive to see things as they are, not as you perceive them.
5. Aggression (Hatred):
Aggression arises from anger, hatred, and hostility towards oneself and others. It creates conflict, harm, and negativity in our lives.
To cleanse the poison of Aggression: practice patience, forgiveness, and loving-kindness.
Cultivate a compassionate attitude towards yourself and others, and let go of grudges and resentments.
Choose peaceful resolutions and communication over reacting impulsively with anger.
Final Thoughts
By becoming aware of and cleansing these five negative views or poisons, we can create a mindset of abundance, positivity, and enlightenment.
Remember that everything in life is impermanent and dream-like, including our thoughts and emotions.
Choose to nourish your dreams with positivity and let go of the poisons that cloud your mind.
Embrace gratitude, compassion, and wisdom on your journey towards attracting wealth, health, good fortune, and success.
Perception Exercise:
The following person you encounter or look at, whether a stranger or not, observes what your mind does by answering these questions.
Does it feel envy or jealousy because they have something you don’t?
Does it instantly and habitually judge them?
Does it feel anger because something irritates you about that person?
Do you feel superior to them?
Do we experience an excessive desire to possess or dominate this person?
When you can answer them each with ‘No,’ the lens of your perceptions is cleaned of all the grease and dirt. You are now free to see the world as it is.
Remember to be compassionate with yourself. This cleaning process will take time. The dirt and grease probably accumulated over many years, so you cannot use chemicals for instant cleaning!! It has to be a natural process.
