Definition number 1 of "poverty" in the American Heritage Dictionary is: "The state of being poor; lack of the means of providing material needs or comforts." It is further defined as "deficiency in amount; scantiness; unproductiveness; infertility."

By "poverty consciousness" I mean the set of attitudes and beliefs and feelings and values associated with material lack or fear of material lack. Poverty consciousness equals a belief in limitation, and almost always includes fear.

Poverty consciousness is not directly related to the amount of money one has. Rather, it is the relationship to that money or to material possessions. If you worry about not having enough money, you are in poverty consciousness. If you believe there is not enough for everyone in the world, you operate from poverty consciousness.

One can live in conditions of poverty without necessarily living in poverty consciousness, which is a state of mind and heart. The amount of money or other material possessions is a matter of fact. One's relationship to that amount is a matter of thoughts and feelings.

Different Means; Similar Consciousness

Years ago, I had two personal empowerment sessions back-to-back with individuals of strikingly different financial means. The first one asked me probing questions about decisions he wanted to make with respect to stocks and his upcoming retirement from a major corporation. The second, desperate to generate $35 to pay his part of the electric bill, asked me probing questions about his uncertain situation.

I worked with both men in essentially the same way. I looked at the energy field in and around their thoughts and feelings. I assessed how they were creating a reality of poverty consciousness energized by their fears. The one of greater financial means became calmer as he embraced a shift in consciousness. The one of lesser financial means became calmer as he embraced a shift in consciousness.

The dollar amounts were different. The fear was the same. Probably each would have envied the other! As each man understood more fully how he had thought and felt his way in to his particular situation, he was better prepared to think and feel his way out.

Another Definition

Let's return to the American Heritage dictionary, where there is a fourth definition of poverty that warrants discussion: "Renunciation made by a member of a religious order of the right to own property."

Perhaps few readers of this article are presently in religious orders that require vows of poverty. However, the history of civilization is filled with such vows. For those of you who believe that it is possible to inherit traits from your ancestors, consider the impact of past vows of poverty passed through the genes. For those of you who believe that it is possible to be influenced by beliefs of others, consider the impact of past vows of poverty modeled in behavior. For those of you who believe in past lives, consider the impact of past vows of poverty on future lives. For those of you who believe in the existence of an energy field, consider how it might be polluted by such vows of limitation.

You can probably find some part of your belief system that tells you that vows of poverty made in the past can impact you and others now. As Individuals, in groups, and as the whole of humanity, we are touched by others.

A Matter of Faith

Ending poverty consciousness is a matter of faith. We all have faith, even though there are many who claim they have none. The question is not whether or not you have faith, but rather, in what you place your faith. Do you place your faith in money? In yourself? In lack? In history? In the future? In the visible? In the invisible?

When the visible elements of our experience are tumbling, we must redirect our faith, our energy, and our intention. The physical world is a temporary reality. It is time to open our awareness more to the worlds beyond this one. Higher consciousness is becoming more available to the human plane. You will want to stay alert so you do not to miss this adventure!

We are living in an exciting time. A time when we will prove that poverty and poverty consciousness are obsolete. A time when we will know, without a doubt, that we live in an abundant universe, a universe waiting to fulfill our every need.

This article has focused on poverty and poverty consciousness as related to material things. Keep in mind, though, that the same principles apply to other aspects of our lives. Some persons feel poverty or poverty consciousness about themselves. "Low self esteem" is one of the popular terms. It is a belief in lack, lack of one's talents or abilities, not having enough of what is wanted.

A Few Ideas to End Poverty Consciousness

• Watch your language! Make sure that what follows "I" or "I am" is what you want to manifest. If you say "I am poor," the Universe will answer you with its only response: yes!

• Say, think, and/or write empowering affirmations. (For example, "I rescind old vows of poverty and limitation." Or, "I accept the gifts of the Universe.")

• Bless all those who owe you money. Pray for their prosperity. When they pay you, thank them and thank the Source, the Higher Power.

• Bless all those to whom you owe money. Pray for their prosperity. When you pay them, thank them and thank the Source, the Higher Power.

• Recognize that money is a means of exchange. Stop giving your power away to money. Claim your own power from within, follow your passion, and the required means will be at your disposal.

• Focus on what you desire, not on what you do not desire. That to which you give your attention expands. If you give your attention to scarcity, scarcity expands; if you give your attention to abundance, abundance expands.

Now is the Time

Now is the only time we really have. We may believe that "as soon as ...... happens" we will be free of poverty consciousness. We may dream that "when I win the lottery, I will do all those things I want to do." The truth is, we do not need to wait for any conditions to change in order to be conscious of abundance. Now is the time. Here is the place.