THE downward spiral of the world economy is merely a manifestation of man?s ignorance of the laws of prosperity, which are based on spiritual principles. According to an international lecturer, the cumulative effect of actions motivated by anger, ego, greed, attachment and consuming desires results in deprivation and ultimately, sorrow. On the other hand, if we are overflowing with positivity and share love, peace and happiness, the return is reflected on the material plane, good relationships and great opportunities.

A major block that obstructs the flow of happiness, albeit, abundance, is attachment whether it is to the past, a person, possession, or even our ideas on how the world should be.

?Letting go is absolutely important in order to live and let live,? says Jayanti Kirplani, the London-based director of the Brahma Kumaris for Europe, an international NGO that is a proponent for peace and values-based education. She will be conducting a lecture on ?The Secret Law of Abundance,? at the Mandarin Oriental ballroom on Nov. 10, and guest speaker at a women?s conference in Tagaytay.

?Sometimes we think that things can only be accomplished by holding on, whether it?s relationships or situations. Yet to hold a bird tightly, you?d probably squeezed the life out of it. Even holding the bird gently, the bird is not fulfilling its purpose of existence, which is to fly.?

In relationships, attachment is manifested in possessiveness, not allowing people the space to be themselves due to one?s insecurity. It is also reflected in not accepting present circumstances or past events and repeating them in the mind.

?Beautiful memories disappear and only painful memories remain. This is strange because I don?t want to experience pain, and yet I hold onto painful memories. I become my own victim by oppressing myself and not letting go of that particular situation,? says Jayanti.

Detachment

Asked how to move on if one is stuck in this emotional quagmire, she explains, ?A quick fix is not enough. When we understand that things begin in the mind and then move outwards to sort things out, we can begin to look for the answers inside. I will then come across permanent solutions.?

Contrary to popular notion, letting go need not be unpleasant. ?Gently move away, disentangle and find that you?re able to let go at the right moment when things are ready to shift.?

Finding the answers begins by understanding your inner needs and realizing that you don?t need to hold on.

?To let go is to know that all I need is within. When I follow this and make sure that my thoughts, words and actions are aligned to this truth, my needs will be fulfilled.?

She points out that material poverty or the feeling of lack or emptiness is a manifestation of void in the soul.

?I can fill myself by tapping into my own inner resources and connecting with the Divine. This Infinite Source is never going to let me down, and never going to dry up. It?s a possibility that?s available to all of us at any moment.? says Jayanti.

?As I fill myself, I can feel the strength of love, peace, joy and power returning to my own inner being. I don?t need to hold onto people and things anymore. Letting go means to step away and to be free.?

Forgetting

Another aspect of letting go is forgetting the past hurts in order to forgive one?s self and others. When a mistake is committed, the adage of honesty as the best policy applies in removing the ego.

For others to pardon us, there has to be a visible proof of personal transformation, otherwise the mistake will be repeated.

?Let there be peace in your heart and positivity in your mind, and maybe with time, hearts will heal and the minds will be open,? says Jayanti. ?Until I?ve learned to forgive the person with whom there is conflict, there?ll always be problems in my relationships with others. A block in one relationship also affects the whole flow of energy with everyone else.?

Unloading the baggage and moving on seems easier said than done. Inner power is needed to be free. ?By connecting with the Divine, I?m able to lead my mind in the right direction and create a peaceful state within,? says Jayanti.

(For details on the lecture, call 890-7960/ 414-942.)

Jayanti?s Secret Laws of Abundance

I BELIEVE that true abundance is spiritual and so these are the secret laws that I would like to share.

* The human mind is so powerful that whatever I really want, I can achieve. But there are some laws that guide all these. The fruit I get from following the spiritual laws is an abundance of love, peace and happiness.

* The more I follow God?s instructions in my life, the more my own treasure store is filled with an abundance of these qualities.

* To whatever extent I share with others those love, peace and happiness, the more it will multiply and come back to me.

* If I am full within myself with the treasures of spirituality and share these with others, this will make a big difference in my own life on the material plane. I will be able to get the sort of cooperation that I need for any task to be successful. The universe will definitely look after me. I won?t lack for anything; all my needs will be taken care of.

* It?s not that I sit back and wait for the universe to provide. I make sure that I stay focused on doing good actions. But the result of good actions is that the spiritual benefits will come but that there will be an abundance in my life on the physical plane, too.