I’ve been thinking a lot about abundance recently.

For some reason I see the word a lot, and it seems where ever I look, we are seeking abundance- in many different forms.

Many of us are buying more and more stuff- whether we can afford it or not.

Some of us are seeking as much money as we can possibly earn- and devote all of our energy to the task- at the expense of others, of loved ones, and the planet.

Others are “manifesting” abundance – very focused on creating our heartfelt desires through positive imaging and other tools and techniques.  It so happens that many of these “heartfelt desires” have something to do with earning more money, achieving notoriety,  having more “stuff”, and finding life partners.

Before I go on, I want to be very clear that I find nothing “wrong” or “bad” about wanting and having things in life which allow us to live comfortably.  It is in our very nature to want security, comfort, and loving relationships.  A feeling of abundance, however, does not ultimately come from these things.

When people are seeking abundance- what we are actually seeking is a feeling of being complete- of being “filled full”- fulfilled- a point where one realizes that there really isn’t anything else needed to complete us.

What all these efforts have in common is that the reference point for achieving abundance is the belief that something “out there” will bring abundance to our lives.  We are endlessly completing this sentence:  “If I only had a …… I would be happy and complete.”

This creates a significant issue; by always looking “out there” for things which will bring abundance, we fail to look in the place where the only true abundance really lies- within.  You see- abundance is not something we get- it is something we experience.

Within each of us is a well which overflows with a source of abundance so rich, so rewarding, and so uplifting that once one has tasted its waters all the stuff we thought we always wanted carry much less meaning or weight.  This source of abundance has always been there, and will always be there- many of us simply haven’t looked inside to find it.

What is this magical source of abundance?

Simply put- the love within us.  A connection to that part of us which is the source of a loving so limitless and powerful and ultimately full-filling.

Many will read the word “love” and immediately think externally again.  “But love is something I can only get with someone else…..”  Can you see that?   Again, we are looking “out there” for something which is “in here”- in our hearts.

Some of us will deny the existence of something like this inside of us.  We couldn’t possibly be worthy of something so beautiful and completing- and it must certainly be earned.

How do we access this magical source of abundance?  Well, this “secret” is not so secret- and has been explained- again and again- by so many wise beings on this planet.  Gratitude. Kindness. Compassion. Forgiveness- for others and, just as importantly, for ourselves.  We let go of old stories which have kept us in mentalities of fear and scarcity, and release judgments of ourselves and others which have kept us separated from our truest nature.  We live in the present moment and revel in the beauty of the world around us.  In its ultimate expression, it is an act of total surrender and vulnerability.  A basic knowing and experiencing of our own inherent worthiness, perfection, and loving nature, and bringing that into the world in whatever we do.

This work comes easier for some than others.  There are many forces which prevent us from looking and exploring within.  Fear of what we will find, and the need to face and resolve some of our darker experiences.  Our Egos are powerful detractors- relentlessly convincing us that we need to get or prove something “out there” in order to be worthy, and  convincing us that we are our thoughts.

Our purpose on this planet is not to get a lot of “stuff”.  Our purpose is to re-connect with, and express, that part of us which is of Love- and, as some would say, the Divine within us.  For those who argue that God wants us to live lives of abundance- yes, that is true.  However- the primary definition of the abundance referred to here is not monetary or material wealth- but abundance of loving.  This way, God experiences, through us, that which He is.

The Kingdom of Heaven is, indeed, within all of us.

Does that mean we are to live destitute, complacent lives?  Of course not.  However, the distinction here is what is primary, and what is secondary.  When we are connected to the loving inside of us, that is the energizing principle which fuels all of the remaining activity “out there”.  We become less attached to “success” as defined in the material world, and “abundance” as characterized by having a lot of stuff or money- because we have already experienced the ultimate expression of limitless abundance within us.  We may be famous and rich- some would say this is even more likely when we are fueled by our hearts.  We may also live lives of humility, modesty, and service- and just as much abundance will be experienced because our primary source and definition of fulfillment and success- connection with our loving- has already completed us.  And through it all- the output of our work- will now reflect the loving inside of us and so can only help to light the way for others.

There are many forces out there working against us in this quest for true abundance.  Everywhere we look, everywhere we go, the underlying messages are that we aren’t good enough- if only we have this, or wear that, or look like them- we would really be worthy and oh- by the way- here is a place you can go to buy your way to worthiness, abundance, and happiness.  Even our leaders tell us to go shopping in times of distress.

They are all empty promises.  And sadly, much of our modern economy and economic growth expectations are based on us believing that we aren’t inherently good enough.

This is a tenuous foundation- that the underlying drivers of our consumption-based industrial model depend on us believing we are unworthy, and distracting us from finding our truest source of abundance.

It’s actually a little frightening and, if viewed from a certain perspective, a kind of mass delusion.  Hysteria.  Or Hysterical.  Depends on your vantage point.

I recently returned from a trip to Nepal, where I was fortunate to spend time with Sherpa communities in the more remote regions of the Solukhumbu.  They live very simple lives- small farms, extremely modest homes, a few goats and some chickens, perhaps.  And their smiles- at every turn- ignited my heart.  There was so much authenticity, connectedness, gratitude and appreciation for that which they do have.  There was joy everywhere- and no cars, no TV’s or video games, no massive wardrobes and 4000 square foot homes.  The contrast I experienced when I returned to the US, walked off the plane and through the terminal- where most people looked grim- sad- searching- with their eyes turned down into some electronic device or another- was remarkable.

The message here is remarkably simple.

Stop searching “out there” for abundance. Sit quietly, perhaps with a loved one, and revel in gratitude for all that we have.

Finally release those old stories of fear, scarcity, and the innaccurate belief that we are unworthy- and through that re-connect to and experience our true nature.

Be more conscious of the messages around us which attempt to mislead and manipulate us- they aren’t true, and never were.

Share the miracle and gift we are with others- with acts of kindness, compassion, and loving.

And feel the shift, as true abundance- abundance of loving-kindness, again fills our hearts.