Using mindfulness to manifest abundance

manifest abundance

Using mindfulness to manifest abundance: change your perspective

If you’ve read our blogpost about what mindfulness does to your brain, you know that mindfulness can be a great tool to change your own perspective. This also applies to negative thoughts about your own finances. Practicing mindfulness means increasing your conscious awareness. No matter how deep your negative convictions about money lie, you can train your mind to stop thinking about money in a negative way, and start thinking about it in a positive way. As I mentioned before, your perceptions substantiate your reality. So once you start thinking about money in a positive way, you will start to see your life as a source of financial gain. And that results in manifesting abundance.

The law of attraction

Changing your negative mindset about money into a positive one is the first step. The second step is actually manifesting abundance. If you don’t really believe that using mindfulness to manifest abundance is possible, just take a look at everything that has been written about the law of attraction. This pseudoscience is based on the idea that humans, as well as their thoughts, are all made up of pure energy. While existing negative energy will attract more negative energy, existing positive energy will attract more positive energy – positive energy in the form of abundance, for example.

As the American writer, philosopher and business man Charles Haanel wrote in 1912:

“The law of attraction will certainly and unerringly bring to you the conditions, environment, and experiences in life, corresponding with your habitual, characteristic, predominant mental attitude.”

A common misconception surrounding the law of attraction is the idea that it would supposedly diminish the value of self-discipline, determination and hard work. Don’t be mistaken: you still need to be disciplined and determined, and yes, you most likely still need to work hard! If it would be as simple as thinking positive thoughts, there wouldn’t be so much poverty in the world. But when you combine your self-discipline, determination and hard work with mindfulness to manifest abundance, you may very well succeed.

The importance of clarity and precision

When you decide you want to use mindfulness to manifest abundance, there is one extremely crucial thing to keep in mind: the importance of clarity and precision. You’re basically going to ask the universe for what you want. But you need to be very, very clear about what EXACTLY it is that you want, why you want it, and why you deserve it. Crude example: “I want to be rich” is way too vague. A better way to formulate it would be something like: “I am good at what I do and I work very hard. I am thankful for what I already have and I allow myself to have more. When I have more, I have enough to not have to worry about my monthly expenses and I can invest more time to support those around me.” Of course, the way you formulate your ‘question to the universe’ is very personal and will be different for everyone. The important thing is to make sure you are clear and precise about what you want.

Final thoughts

Using mindfulness to manifest abundance means you first need to rewire your brain to change your negative thoughts about money into positive ones. Then, you need to direct your focus on actually attracting abundance. If you constantly focus on how little money you have, you will not generate more. But if you focus on receiving money, you can actually attract it.

Why you should try meditating with other people

meditating with other people, samen mediteren

Reasons to try meditating with other people

When you meditate alone, this usually creates feelings of increased awareness, deep relaxation, enhanced focus and peace of mind. Once you try meditating with other people, you will not only notice that all those effects intensify, but also that they expand to your surroundings. The benefits of meditating in group settings, are therefore individual as well as collective.

Meditating with other people will also enable you to take advantage of the raised vibrations of those around you. You basically get to ‘hold on’ to the vibes of the others and pull yourself towards the headspace where you want to be. This is especially beneficial for beginners as well as those who have a little more trouble to quiet their thoughts or get in the zone.

Like I mentioned before, meditating was always very personal and intimate to me – and I’m sure I am not the only one who feels that way. And this is exactly why you should try meditating with other people! During the pandemic, many of us realized the need for deep, meaningful connections. Whatever happens on a biological or chemical level when we’re meditating together, it results in an incredible interconnectedness. The experience can truly strengthen bonds. Even with people you only just met.

Final thoughts

All we are is energy. Meditating with other people will enhance that energy and help everyone involved to open themselves up, relax in each other’s company and experience interconnected feelings. You can do it with your best friend, sibling or partner or in a group setting. Either way, it is a great way to start a new practice or to help you find your way back to a regular practice.  

3 reasons why EVERYONE should try meditating

Whenever I tell people that I meditate on a regular basis, I am often met with responses like “I don’t think that would be something for me,” “I wouldn’t be able to sit still,” or “I’m not into that woolly kind of stuff.” While there is definitely a shift in how open people are to the idea of meditation, there is also still a lot of scepticism surrounding it. But I think everyone should try meditating. Below, I’ve listed 3 reasons why.

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5 practical tips to get into flow state at work

flow state at work

When you’re in flow state, you experience a deep focus. It becomes easier to tap into your creativity and your productivity levels skyrocket. Accomplishing your task seems effortless. Needless to say, this would come in very handy at work. So why not give it a try? We’ve listed 5 practical tips to get into flow state at work. The more you practise getting into the zone, the more natural it becomes!

How to reach flow state at work

#1. Set clear goals

In order to achieve flow state, you need to have a very clear understanding of what it is that you want to accomplish. “Making the deadline for project X” is too abstract. Therefore, it’s best to separate your goals into smaller, well-defined objectives and simply pick one that you want to do at this time.

#2. Eliminate distractions

During flow state, it often seems like our brain automatically filters out any distractions. But in order for that to happen, you first need to create a mental clarity. That means removing as many distractions as possible. Turn off notifications, put on some noise cancelling headphones, and schedule a time block. It may also help to empty your bladder before you start; realizing that you need to use the restroom is also a distraction. Are you working from home? Read how to create a mindful home office.

#3. Don’t multitask

Many of us are conditioned to multitask in the workplace. But you need to understand that multitasking is a myth; you’re not really doing multiple things at the same time, you’re simply switching very rapidly between tasks. This increases the cognitive load on your brain, making it more difficult to reach flow state. So pick a single task and focus on that.

#4. Find a balance

If you have to do something super easy and boring, you’re not likely to reach flow state. Your mind and body need to be challenged to get into the zone. That said, if the task is too difficult it will only lead to you getting stressed and frustrated about it. So find a task that requires the right balance between challenge and skill. 

#5. Don’t try to force it

The harder you try to control something, the harder it becomes to do so. This is known as the paradox of control. While you can certainly create the ideal circumstances for flow state, you can’t force it. If it doesn’t happen, don’t worry about it. Schedule another time block and try again later.

Final thoughts

Depending on your job and what you need to do, reaching flow state at work can be a challenge. Coincidentally, challenge is exactly what you need to actually get into the flow. But if you’re not feeling it today, that’s totally fine. You can still get shit done. Just keep trying to create the ideal circumstances. Just like training a muscle, it is possible to train getting into flow state. And once you get the hang of it, you may catch yourself actually looking forward to Mondays.

Have you ever experienced flow state?

flow state

Anyone dipping their toes in the waters of mindfulness and meditation has probably heard about the term ‘flow state’. But what is that, exactly? What happens when you get into a flow state? And how can you get there?

What is a flow state?

Flow state can be described as a sense of fluidity between mind and body. It is the feeling you get when, in optimal circumstances, you are deeply focused on what you are doing at that moment – to the point where you are completely absorbed by it. Your senses become heightened and you may lose your awareness of time. This hyper focus is often accompanied by a sense of euphoria. Any distractions (external ones, but also internal ones like stress, fatigue, hunger and aches) melt away. It is more than just being really focused; you could say it is an active meditation. Some describe this as being ‘in the zone’.

What do you feel during flow state?

While the experience may be different for everyone, flow state is generally recognized by the following:

  • A deep focus. You’re able to fully concentrate on whatever it is that you’re doing, without getting distracted.
  • A sense of clarity. Your mind and body seem to know exactly what they need to do.
  • The elimination of obstacles. While being in the zone, any thoughts, feelings and sensations that would normally limit or distract you, seem to temporarily fade away.
  • Euphoria. The hyper focus is accompanied by a temporary high and feelings of euphoria, contentment and happiness.

How do you get into a state of flow?

To get into a state of flow, you need to create the ideal conditions. It usually happens when you’re doing something that you’re really passionate about. Depending on your personality and your interests, this could be anything; working, writing, creating art, making music, dancing or exercising.

Also, this mental state is more common during engaging activities; your physical or mental abilities need to be challenged to a certain extent, resulting in a willing effort to accomplish something. At the same time, it shouldn’t be so difficult that you get frustrated because you can’t pull it off. It is more likely to occur when you’re single tasking, which makes sense because multitasking requires you to constantly shift your focus. Furthermore, your circumstances and surroundings need to enable you to focus on your task or activity.

Final thoughts

Anyone can achieve flow state, provided that you create the ideal circumstances. If you don’t know where to start, try these easy breathing techniques for beginners to practice focus. Chances are that once you have your focus, the rest will follow.

Observation meditation: Separating the experience into different parts

Observation meditation, observatie meditatie

There are many ways to meditate. In most of our blogposts, we’re focusing on concentration meditation; usually concentrating on the breath. But concentration meditation is just one way to meditate. And while for many people it is the form of meditating that they start with (check out these 5 meditation techniques for beginners), it doesn’t hurt to try and explore some different forms. There is also observation meditation, for example. Recently, I was talking to a guy who has been meditating for years and he offered some very valuable insights about this form of meditation.

Observation meditation and separating the experience

I have massive ADD so concentrating is always a challenge for me. My friend explained how the ability to focus is like training a muscle; the more often you do it, the better you get at it. And the easier it becomes. There are various ways to practice this, and concentration meditation is just one way. When we started talking about other forms of meditation, he mentioned something that really struck me. 

He suggested to focus on the moment, and then try to separate the experience into different parts.

Let’s say you’re taking a walk through the woods. Once you feel relaxed, simply observe the present moment. While you’re observing, you’re basically going to ‘organize’ what you are seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling and thinking. A moment of living in the present consists of a wide range of elements that come together in your personal experience; by separating them you may get a better sense of all the different aspects of that moment. Start with what you see. The forest floor, the trees, the leaves, the sky. Then observe the auditory stimuli. Your own footsteps, the birds, the wind, the rustling leaves. Now, what do you smell? And what do you taste? After observing the sensory stimuli, check in on your physical state. How do you feel? And finally, there is your emotional/mental state. What are you thinking? If there any thoughts arising that have nothing to do with your present moment, that’s totally okay. Simply observe the fact that those thoughts are there, and then come back to the present. It can help to mentally ‘point out’ everything you’re observing.

If it feels overwhelming, you can try and remove the visual stimuli by simply closing your eyes (only recommended when you’re sitting). If you have some noise cancelling headphones, you can even eliminate auditory stimuli and see how that feels. If you like a challenge, try doing this when you’re in the company of other people. 

Final thoughts

You know how they say that goals are easier to achieve when you break them up into multiple smaller goals? I think it’s the same with observation meditation. There can be so many stimuli in a single moment – separating them may help to stay in the present longer, and make the experience as a whole easier to process.

The ancient Greek take on chaos – A case for re-evaluation

chaos

Once there was nothing but chaos

Chaos (χάος) in the ancient Greek tradition means the ultimate nothing, from which something is continuously springing forth. You can look at it as a primitive understanding of particles, or even matter (smart guys, those Greeks). In the beginning, there was nothing but chaos. Millions and millions of little bits of clutter. These bits were continuously flying around in disorder, and every once in a while they would therefore find themselves in a combination that would make… ‘something’. Things that we as humans would recognize as a thing. Starting with the earth, the heavens, and the underworld. And from there, other things. Air, or wheat, or a cow, or even a god. Anything that wasn’t specifically made by the gods for a specific purpose was seen to be brought into existence by a random organisation of the disarray. In Greek mythology, every so often things just appear. Out of thin air, or rather, from the chaos.

Chaos doesn’t have to be bad

So what do we take from this mythological approach to chaos? I think it’s twofold. First of all, disorder is not necessarily bad. It’s neutral. Secondly, it is not necessarily stressful. It’s just disorganized. And that’s nothing to worry about; sometimes it’s fine to just let it be disorganized. At some point, it will organize itself again, and form… ‘something’. Something you could not have come up with anyway. So why not just look at it in wonder?

Final thoughts

It is in looking at the chaos afresh that we can see new things taking shape. When life seems chaotic, therefore, this is when mindfulness can be most effective – and the most fun.