Definition of "Prosperity"

As we consider our thoughts about “prosperity”, it is a good idea to understand what we mean by the term “prosperity” Here are a few contemporary authors and their definitions. You will notice immediately there is some overlap and divergence between each of these definitions posted. I hope that will reassure you that there is no single correct definition of prosperity. Undoubtedly, there are many additional definitions of prosperity that are to greater or lesser degrees workable. All of the definitions I quote are from reputable and successful authors and teachers.

Even though I discuss my thoughts about each definition, my intention is to share my own thoughts and stimulate your own thinking. I do not mean to be dogmatic. In the end, you are free to make your own call about the definition of prosperity that suits you. Or better yet, search your own heart to determine your authentic definition and understanding of prosperity rather than adopt someone else’s thinking. The benefit in doing this is that you will become clearer of what is true for you. Under anyone’s definition of prosperity, the idea of prosperity that you hold in your mind will be the one most prone to manifest in your life.

Ordinary perceptions on the concept of prosperity start with common definitions. Webster’s Dictionary sees prosperity in purely economic terms defining it as a condition of economic success or wellbeing. Under this definition prosperity is relative. Success implies failure. Wellbeing implies being unwell. Hence, under common perceptions, only a few can be prosperous at any given point in time. Moreover, Webster’s definition of prosperity is conditional. It implies a temporary state where the same person can be prospering at one point and then not prospering at another.

As a spiritual student, this type of definition brings up some interesting issues surrounding prosperity and spirituality. Is prosperity a birthright for all or is it a blessing for only a few? If it is a birthright, then how is it that some are born to wealth and others are born to poverty? If it is a blessing for the few, then how can some of the few have prosperity for a while and then vanish when economic circumstances shift?

If God plays favorites (the true believer vs. the agnostic) and if God rewards some (the obedient worshiper) and punishes others (the sinner), then in some cosmic way the problems with Webster’s definition are resolved. Prosperity is the blessing that is bestowed by God on his chosen few and the rest of us had better get right with God if we want a similar blessing.

But if we choose to believe in a God that unconditionally loves all human souls, then Webster’s conditional and temporal definition of prosperity does not work well. If God’s love is unconditional that means that it is available to all equally and all the time. A God that does not play favorites means that success and wellbeing are available to every one of us. Moreover, they are available all the time and everyone can have them at the same time.

Those of us on a spiritual path of Love need a working definition of prosperity that fits within the framework of unconditional love. That means prosperity cannot be dependant on outside circumstances that can change.

Edwene Gaines is a well known Unity Minister and a woman of power. She has elected to be 100% responsible for the transformation of abundance consciousness on Planet Earth. Her definition of prosperity has four components; 1) a vitally alive body, 2) thriving relationships, 3) work that we love and 4) all the money we can spend.

As I read this, and meaning no disrespect to Rev. Gaines, this definition of prosperity is all about material and physical wellbeing. It is really only an expansion of Webster’s definition to include enjoying good health and relationships. Her thinking does not seem to me to engage a spiritual dimension.

While I believe it is true that almost all of us can have vitality and wonderful relationships and fulfilling work, I think that a certain number of people are born without the apparent ability to manifest these blessings. Moreover, as I write elsewhere, prosperity and money have no correlation and so I take exception to the fourth component that requires prospering people to have all the money they can spend.

David Ritz, creator of the Keys to the Kingdom program, suggests that prosperity must include spiritual good in all its forms including health, happiness, peace, love, fulfillment and unlimited possibility. He says it is the “power to satisfy our needs and make our dreams come true.” This definition does include a passing sop to spirituality but, when looked at carefully, is only a minor improvement and expansion of Rev. Gaines’ definition.

The problem I have with Ritz’ definition is that it includes too much unconsciousness around possessiveness. Most people do not understand the difference between “needs” and “wants”. They want their needs to be met, sure, but they way they understand needs may include a massive dose of greed, selfishness, material conditioning and so forth.

Moreover, most people do not have any idea about their dreams coming true and the clash with reality caused by their egoic grandiosity. Thus, a fundamental definition of prosperity that talks about prosperous people having the power to satisfy their needs and make their dreams come true does not meet my need for clarity or truth. As this simple example shows, Ritz’ definition cannot be true. Say two people have a crush on the same person. Their dream is to be their beloved’s “one and only”. This dream cannot come true for both of them, especially if their supposed beloved isn’t romantically interested in either one of them.

Any definition focused on getting things outside of ourselves has this same defect. Shakti Gawain is another best selling author on the topic of prosperity. She wrote Creating True Prosperity. In a sincere attempt to skirt this problem she describes prosperity as the “experience of having plenty of what we truly need and want in life, material and otherwise.”

Her qualifier of need and want with the word “truly” and her inclusion of our nonmaterial good in the definition of prosperity are a step beyond Gaines and Ritz. The problem here is that people will be driven in circles trying to determine what they “truly” need and want. It goes back to the conditioning problem. Someone pampered and spoiled in life may really believe that they truly need something that the rest of us think of as a luxury. The collective unconsciousness about how to define “truly” means that this prosperity definition will not satisfy my need for unconditional inclusiveness.

I think the better definitions of prosperity describe a consciousness or a process of living rather than the things that one obtains or has. Grace Terry, author of Prosperity Guaranteed offers her definition: “A continuous process of joyfully receiving an abundance of everything we need and joyfully giving back from the overflow.” Terry begins by describing prosperity as a process but when she talks about receiving everything we need she falls into the same trap that befell the prior definitions; the difficulty in determining a valid need. Even if she had said “truly need”, I think this definition is really focused on having things rather than describing a state of being or a state of consciousness.

Another thoughtful teacher on the subject is Ellen Peterson, author of Choosing Joy, Creating Abundance. She says, “Prosperity is not what you have or how much you make; it’s actually how you think.” In other words, prosperity is a state of consciousness. If the consciousness in her definition did not rely on creating physical wealth to engender the joy, I would be more inclined to favor this approach. Instead, again, it is a better approach than some of the other definitions, but it still evidences the same shortcoming of prosperity being attached to physical wellbeing and success.

Maria Nemeth, author of The Energy of Money, says, “Prosperity comes when you participate fully in every aspect of your life. It’s state of growth.” What I like about this definition is that it is not conditional; everyone can be prosperous no matter what their circumstances. It does meet my need for prosperity to be a birthright available to everyone. It does describe a consciousness rather than possessions. On the other hand, this very lack of materiality might diminish the working value of the term ‘prosperity’. Prosperity might as well mean learning to live in a state of deprivation while learning to enjoy your own suffering.

Here is my current understanding of prosperity. Prosperity is the consciousness needed to bring about your heart’s joy, your mind’s inner peace, and your soul’s highest evolution in every material circumstance and condition.