There’s nothing wrong with money or prospering on the spiritual journey. Though often people who have made a commitment to spiritual practice see money as being evil. Money alone has not attributes. But when it becomes the goal and all else falls away then it mars our vision and disconnects us from nature and each other. Money is often associated with greed, avarice, excessive desire, jealousy and envy. The money itself does not hold these properties innately – people do. 

Spirituality and money are not mutually exclusive. In India people who devote their lives entirely to spiritual pursuits become mendicants and depend entirely on the alms of those around and it is considered good karma to give to them and support their seeking. It uplifts everyone. In Western society the lack of a socially established role for seekers means that we have to be self-supporting.

But when money and having it bring us to sacrifice our relationships and the environment, when it makes us consume more resources than we need without concern for using it to help others, then money can become an obstacle.

Prosperity begins on an inner level first. Develop character and a will to serve. Then through hard, persistent work and effort, make your vision a reality – but not with the aims solely of gaining prosperity for yourself. Grow, cooperate and share your wealth and knowledge, expertise and wisdom with others. When the dreams are vast and expansive then the impact spreads far. Sathya Sai Baba, a revered Indian teacher, created state-of-the-art hospitals where all health care is free of charge from open heart surgery to brain surgery. He developed water projects to bring drinking water to villages and schools up through university level which ask for no tuition. These projects happen through unsolicited donations and benefit many. This is an example of true spiritual prosperity.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is the award winning author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life and “Garden of Bliss: Cultivating the Inner Landscape for Self-Discovery” (Llewellyn Worldwide, February 2013). A visionary, dreamer and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices, writing and creativity in the U.S. and Europe. More at http://www.awakeintheworld.com and on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/DebraMoffittAwakeintheWorld