THE POVERTY CONSCIOUSNESS

By Daniel Kasou

“Poverty Consciousness” refers to our internal state of mind regarding the notion of poverty. Here we are not discussing about the social/physical aspect of poverty such as lack of nutrition, poor hygiene, low income, or lack of access to basic needs. However, we are dealing with our inner representation of the concept of poverty that has laid the foundation of our reality. It is important to understand that poverty has its root embedded in our mind as it is a state of consciousness. The manifestation of its physical reality along with the social indicators was created and imprinted in the inner world and then being reflected through the outer reality mirror. This occurs due to the fact that; everything is first conceived by the mind as an idea and then materializes into reality. The point here is about the mental aspect of our reality which should not be mixed up with what we have understood about poverty from our socio-economic standpoint so far. We have to become fully aware of what we usually focus upon every now and then in order to conceptualize how our thoughts do affect our reality both consciously and unconsciously. The truth about our reality lies beneath our consciousness, therefore; it is imperative that it should be brought unto our lens of focus.

The poverty consciousness merely can be summed up as our attitude of “lack mentality. “It has become a habit of an average Papua New Guinean that we usually tend to focus our attention to “what we don’t have” (negative) instead of “what we do have” (positive). We had created an impression (image) in our mind that unless I have this or posses that would make me happy/satisfied. Sometimes we tend to believe that all our problems should be solved once we become such person or own this or that. We had been addicted to merely deal with the illusion of our reality that actually limit us to progress and prosper in life. Our creative mind then, tends to filter such information according to whatever image and beliefs we hold to be true in our mind. We become what we always think of as the outer reality would always mirror the inner blueprint of our consciousness. We had limited ourselves fully that we fail to focus on the broader perspective of what we already have or in the process of becoming; the positive (other side) of the same coin. We don’t usually appreciate and pay attention to what we already have as this is the key to prosperity instead; we focus on the lack of what we ought to have or become. You may have all physical and social needs that you want, however; if you still focus on what you don’t have (lack and limitation) you won’t acquire happiness and satisfaction because you have limited yourself by continually erecting brick by brick upon the walls of poverty consciousness.

For instance; if you are a committed employee earning around K500.00 per forth night working on the same routine of duties, and when its payday; you begin to feel anxious and concern about repaying your loan, paying your rent, how much will be deducted for Income Tax, meeting other demands and expenses that you completely ignore the fact to really appreciate and embrace what you’ve just earn from your commitment to work. Such situation after repetition becomes a fixed pattern of your reality in which you have created through your impulsive thoughts and emotions working accordingly. You are more likely to meet more of such experiences unless you change your mental image by focusing on the opposite of that you do not want. The outer world would always reflect the inner world because they are connected. Failure to shift to the positive state of mind limits you to your own image of reality whether you like it or not as this is the code of the universal law of attraction; “like attracts like.” This is how the law works using the above example: if two different people were given the same situation, one focuses on the optimistic side (gratitude and appreciation) and the other on the negative (lack and limitation). Both of them would reap the results that reflect what energy vibration they give out upon their focus towards the event experienced. Even though, you certainly know what the desirable outcome is, what you focus upon determines what you get. So, take heed of what you give out from your consciousness- if you usually complain of how hard life is, your reality shall reveal more of how hard it is for you to complain about. Such mental function can be so, subtle as it often operates on the unconscious level of our awareness. Sometimes we are so busy in our every day routine that we fail to realize the essence of life that we live in because we always react to the outer circumstances of our reality.

Having gratitude by appreciating and being content with what life has offered to you is the state of allowing yourself to the universal-spiritual flow of abundance and prosperity. The key is to build your reality by focusing on what best you deserve to become (prosperous) having gratitude and not giving in to the “lack mentality” (poverty consciousness). Prosperity is an inner mental state that becomes expressed on the outside as material wealth and success. Every action we take either resists or allows us to match with the law of prosperity (well-being). This can be further explained through understanding the works of the mental science theorists. Resistance is placing focus on what you would rather NOT have happening which is in essence creating and projecting a magnetic force which is drawing to you what it is that you are placing your predominant focus on or DON"T have a desire to experience. This focus can only draw more of that which you are focusing on. Gratitude on the other hand is an acceptance of things just the way they are which correlates with acceptance which in turn resonates and projects a much different resonance of energy creating a magnetic force that is conducive to attracting the "desired" outcome[.1 ]

The “Power of Gratitude” applied to the present state of being is an extremely important aspect of attracting to yourself the Abundance and Happiness that you desire and deserve in your life. The Bible also emphasizes the significance of gratitude by stating that whatever you have despite, the quantity (more or less it is); always give thanks to the Lord that you may be blessed with more to come. This doesn’t imply that it is a religious practice and works for only religious believers but, it is a law set in the order of creation (nature) and works on every person’s reality consciously and unconsciously. The sunlight doesn’t shine for only religious believers but for every one that inhibits this physical planet because it acts according to the universal law of nature. Hence; take back your power by focusing on what you really want your life to become (prosperity) and not merely reacting on the circumstances reflecting lack and limitation (poverty). We must take precaution on such matter as most of our negative self image and beliefs had created their pathways (building blocks) in our nervous system that tend to filter and limit our conscious reality, thus; working to change our reality requires conditioning our willingness to effect change inside-out. Our ignorance on that fact; keeps us stuck in the web of illusion –believing that we are the victims of circumstances even though we had the power within us to bring about change. This is a profound concept, however; I believe by understanding the mental constructs that limit our reality puts us in a better position to have control in deciding what is best for our destiny.

Finally, all fight against poverty through social and economic approach of the society should take into account the psychological and spiritual framework of how thoughts materialize to become things. The physical and social indicators are the effects that resulted from the causes within the mental /spiritual realm. Therefore; it is a must to deal with the matters at the causation level to reestablish the order of creation within the mind of man. Otherwise, all actions of managing and dealing with poverty states from the outside are doomed to failure as any attempted solution from outside-in only addressed part of the problem or might generate associated problems that may even be worse. Please, take into account that the roots of everything happening in our physical reality usually operate at the unconscious level of our mind. Dr. Robert Anthony states that; “the long-term solution to poverty, lack and limitation lies in our ability to turn our inner potential into reality-the only way we can truly heal the world is to heal ourselves first.” Albert Einstein also emphasizes that; we can never solve a problem on the same level of awareness as that at which the problem was created.

As a matter of fact, such generalization as; “Papua New Guinea, despite being blessed and rich in natural wealth and resources and yet, still under-developed and struggles over the poverty line,” may have its solution dormant in our consciousness unless we take a step to awaken our level of awareness/consciousness by harnessing the power within. Always focus on what you really want your life to be and maintain that state of mind for the better as change starts from an individual then moves out to others/community. Everyone deserves to walk in the light of prosperity and not poverty unless you choose to be in that state of consciousness. Understanding this is of great advantage if you decide to break free from the mediocre lifestyle that limits your reality.