Beloved Students:

May the abundance of the Earth opening in full bloom to another Springtime dwell richly in your hearts and minds. May each of you see the abundance bursting forth around you, and may you celebrate such abundance in your own life.

I would like to focus in this little lesson more directly on the notion of lack. I have noticed it is a very popular notion in the West these days. It seems to me that if you could together dissolve this notion both for yourselves and those who share the planet with you, such would constitute a tremendous gift of abundance. Since most of you do, in fact, know from your clearest space that you would actually take great joy in providing this gift for the children of Earth right now, let us jointly explore this powerful notion and commit to its dissolution.

It is important to here note that much of the awakening work done by those in what has come to be called the “eco-movement,” has actually arisen from this compelling notion of lack. Indeed, the effort has been to provide for the planet that succeeding generations may enjoy and celebrate Earth’s abundance and diversity in plant, animal and human kingdoms. It is, of course, a wonderful gift on the part of these dedicated individuals to provide an awakening point for the many to the exquisite preciousness of life on Earth. Such is a holy mission, and thanks to the efforts of those so dedicated, great awakening has occurred at many levels, in many regions and in many people.

In addition to all the good one can count as arising from the works of the dedicated, there has unfortunately been one aspect to the eco-movement that has also actually hampered the flow of abundance and diversity. For many of these dedicated people (perhaps some of you as well) the focus for raising awareness has all too often been on a predicament of lack. While truly desiring a healing force to arise that can erase the scars of a wounded planet, many can see no greater vision for Earth than their own projections of lack. In other words, they teach conservation, say, of water because they also nurture a fear of lacking enough water. When enough people participate in this kind of thinking, it becomes almost impossible for the Earth to avoid a drought. The power of all those lacking thoughts (compounded by projections of fear) actually affects the weather, and ultimately the climatic zones as well.

While it is a good thing to effort in the matter of conserving water, it is probably not the best thing to do so from a position of fear and impending doom. Clearly, when it comes to conserving water, it is better to do so from a perspective of appreciation for the preciousness of the gift of water than from the fear of running out of water. Simply stated, the greater the projection of lack, the more difficult it becomes for Earth to refresh Herself with the gentle rains of abundance which so gift the inhabitants of Earth. But at a deeper experiential - perhaps prophetic - note, such mental projecting of lack makes it more difficult for folks to experience profound beauty when looking at ponds, streams, rivers, reservoirs - even oceans. They look at them but instead of seeing beauty, they are able only to perceive what is being used up; what is being lost, what is missing.

This same type of thinking applied, say, to clean air has a similar effect. As more and more people focus on the loss of clean and well oxygenated air, it becomes more difficult for the trees to produce that much needed oxygen. Such thinking also actually increases the impact of greenhouse gasses, although it is doubtful that you will see studies to confirm this assertion - yet.

Of course, we must be careful here, since the answer we are seeking is certainly not to return to lives of denial or complacency. In order to heal the impact of modern technology (cars, refrigerators, air conditioners etc.) and crowded populations, what must first arise is a different way of thinking around the sharing of the physical space on the body of the mother planet. In the collective creative (albeit unconscious) process, well-meaning humans actually rob Earth of Her ability to heal and return to wholeness by continually perceiving Her as a sick planet, or a dying planet. While it has been important to recognize the consequences of living in over-consumptive over-polluted societies - and basically asleep societies - it is now time to heal the wounds using a higher and more profoundly abundant manner of perceiving the situation.

It is very important to conserve the planetary resources. In so doing, you show respect and appreciation for Earth - you demonstrate your intelligent understanding of the conditions that have been brought about by lack of concern, lack of education, lack of commitment to the whole organism of this planet. However, conserving out of a projected sense of lack only breeds more lack. Rather, conserve because you:

1. generously want to share and celebrate Earth’s abundance with all other sentient beings living on the planet;
2. you can/will apply self discipline and use only what you actually need;
3. demonstrate your tolerance and patience at the levels of suffering so many experience through their beliefs in lack;
4. are willing to joyfully effort toward healing and wholing of yourself, others and Earth;
5. can/will apply your concentration to the matter of rejuvenating the recuperative powers of Earth and all Her children; and,
6. are applying, and will continue to apply, your wisdom to living sensibly, gently and peacefully among all Earth’s sentient family.

As I have so many times encouraged you to do, look deeply into the matter of how the world you see before you is but a reflection of your own mind. As you become more and more proficient at applying the six perfections (generosity, self-discipline, tolerance/patience, joyful effort, concentration and wisdom), you will come to know the importance of your projecting these qualities out into the world you perceive before you. Not only will this allow you to live with less suffering in your personal realm, such will also actually aid and support the Earth in the journey into rich health and wholesomeness She is now seeking to create. Indeed, this is a much-needed journey into healing She so genuinely needs - not because this health and wealth potential is lacking, but because it has been forgotten by even the most impressive of Her children!

Indeed, so many of you are feeling a pull to go deeply into your own healing - be it physical, emotional or mental. Know that by summoning the courage to take the needed steps into your own healing, you provide a powerful vortex of energy. This vortex, increased by the vortices of others who enter into a commitment to their own healing as well, can become a transcendent force for Earth healing like none seen in these “modern” times. As I suggested last month, it is time to become part of the solution rather than staying a part of the old problem. It is time to pay the huge debts that modernity has borrowed from the great Mother Spirit’s energy field. This begins by healing your dear planet - particularly from the chronic pain inflicted through collective projections of lack and inadequacy.

Of course, it is within you to simply recluse yourselves in your collective denial and/or overwhelm. This is a very powerful time, in terms of creating from the collective perspective. Do your very best to inject a profound recognition of abundance into every thought, word and action that arises from your Buddha mind. But do not attempt to do so from a denial of the obvious - the unhealed levels in your collective planetary experience. Open your Buddha eyes and see the world before you. Then open your Buddha heart and compassionately respond to the task before you.

Please join me this month in listening to Spiritual Bank Account, a talk I gave in Denver earlier this month. Know that I wish for you the perception of every good thing. Beyond knowing this, share it with others as well. May you learn that “filling your cup” is a matter of your own perception. May you learn - indeed perfect - the six perfections, and may your work with them be dedicated to the healing and wholing of your dear planet Earth!