I finally finished the last library book in my pile, It's Not about the Money: Unlock your money type to achieve spiritual and financial abundance by Brent Kessel. I'm going to be completely honest - when I checked this out in December, I based my decision entirely on the cover. It was Tiffany blue with white writing and had a cute origami bird on the cover made from money. Since I've read half of the other personal finance books in the library, I figured why not.
I did not realize that this particular book would make a greater impact on me than any other personal finance book that I've read. This isn't a standard book on how to get out of debt. I've got a guru for that. His name is Money Coach. This book is about reaching that core story about who you are within your relationship to money.
Something I've mentioned before is also important, I'm not Christian. Although I went to Catholic school, I've read the Bible and I respect the religion. Quite simply, I do not believe in the concept of god. I am a Buddhist. I discovered Buddhism in my mid-twenties at a time when I needed direction. I joke that I am a half-assed Buddhist because I haven't gone on the retreat to the monastery that I'd like to go to and sought refuge, but I believe in the four noble truths and I try to live by the eightfold path. I know I've had my struggles there, but I am human and I will grow.
This book heavily involves Buddhist philosophy. However, it does touch on many other religions. It was so comforting to me to find a book that reconciles Buddhist thinking with a desire to accumulate wealth, which seems contradictory. But now I know it is all about the middle way.
When I completed this book, I felt a bit lighter. I learned so much. I think everyone I know could benefit from reading it. The archetypes are well illustrated and, more importantly, it doesn't criticize if you are a pleasure seeker - there is positive in every archetype and there are suggestions about which other archetypes would benefit. There are also investment and financial plans for each archetype.
I highly recommend this book. I'm really glad I picked it because of it's beautiful cover. Little did I know what was waiting for me inside.
And for my Losties - there is a nice section on a man named Richard Alpert who is now known as Ram Dass. Very interesting.
