Money issues span every part of human consciousness. There is no part of us that thinks, feels, or knows that is not intimately affected by money. That is why we need so very deeply to better understand money. In my book, The Colors of Money. Finding Your MoneyForce, I discussed how money works on four distinct but unified parts of human awareness. There is physical money that we touch, and the physical manifestations of that money. There is emotional money, our deep feelings about money and wealth. In the mental plane we think about money and form abstract, but often seemingly concrete theories and philosophies of money. Finally, money has a soul level where we harbor the deep intuitive knowing about money and its true meaning. Each interior level has a color, which not only symbolizes that area but also resonates with, and defines the deepest qualities, attributes and faculties of that aspect.

Dick Wagner, editor of Inside Money, has asked me to take each aspect of money and explore and expand on it. In this blog, I hope to do so and to also have the opportunity to play and have some fun. I think the title works because it encompasses a very nebulous concept, money, within perhaps the most easily accessible human sense, color. Inside Money speaks to the interior of money, the part of money that is so often marginalized or ignored in our so very complex world. Yet it is the interior part of money that engenders its value. It is what we see, feel, think and know that provides the pleasure and meaning of life. Money is complex and multi-faceted. It is easy to become confused within the intricacies of money, especially when presented to us in impenetrable economic theories, market models and topsy-turvy financial markets. Yet when all is said and done money is about people and their pursuit of happiness and purpose. It is a means to an end.

I would hope to present aspects of money on the interior that are not often addressed. The financial planning community has made great strides in acknowledging the interior of money. This “holistic’ approach has become the cornerstone of many small financial planning practices and has entered the lexicon of even the large financial planning mega firms. They may not “get it” but they know markets and see that so called “life planning” is much more than some new age gimmick. I would like to discuss, in concrete and practical ways, how we can come to a better understanding and relationship with the different aspects of our consciousness that determine our experience with money and through money, life.

These would include how we relate to money on the physical, which while at the base of our hierarchy of needs, can be so limited in providing meaning in our lives. We will explore our emotions about money. This is perhaps the most essential understanding anyone needs in relating to money, or any part of life for that matter. Many of us are absorbed in our mind and intellect. Creating balance with our mental and emotional thoughts and feelings can be essential to achieving a stable financial foundation. Finally, the soul of money brings us into contact with our highest callings and purposes as human beings. For in the end, we are human beings, not human havings.

My greatest pleasure would be to have a dialogue. I would love to be part of a forum for readers to share, comment and discuss their deepest emotions and thoughts about money. Communication is essential to any community. I encourage readers to please respond and interact. I look forward to participating in a lively discourse. The inside of anything is always a bit mysterious because it is hidden. Yet, there is great wonder and excitement when the interior is revealed. Sometimes there is even great treasure.

Mike Ryan CFP®

©Mike Ryan, 2009.  Reprinted with Permission.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 27th, 2009 at 8:29 pm and is filed under Mike Ryan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.