Spiritual Marketing Articles Vol 2

A few years ago, I read an interesting new book called "The New Culture of Desire" by Melinda Davis, CEO of a futurist think tank in New York.

In her book, Davis discloses the conclusions of a 6-year study on what makes people want what they want and do what they do. The study was conducted primarily for big business, where the results might have sounded more earth-shaking. For the body, mind, spirit community, however, the conclusions more or less corroborate what we've know for some time: bliss sells.

In a nutshell, Davis asserts that the most powerful survival needs of consumers now are "psychospiritual." Physical survival needs have been overtaken by the need for:
-- instant altered states
-- richer human connection
-- a more solid sense of self
-- a clearer vision of the path
-- greater inner pleasure.

She talks about the business person (or marketer) as a healer, helping clients reach an "optimal state of mind," where you can "lose your sense of being anywhere and feel a wondrous sense of unity with the universe."

Sounds right up our alley.

As I was reading, a number of business ideas popped into my mind, based pretty much on Davis' premises. See what you think.

1) A meditation teacher could add a new twist by becoming a "personal meditation coach" who comes to your home or office for guided meditations or visualizations (much like a personal fitness trainer would). If "instant bliss" is the new "in thing" why not promote your personal meditation coaching in local business publications, at Chamber of Commerce meetings, and the like. You'll be helping busy people relax and tune into their heart of hearts while making a pretty decent living for yourself.

2) An event organizer could specialize in creating "connected communities" for the duration of a conference. Raise a convention above the usual "show and tell" mode by building in activities that help people connect, interact, bond and co-operate many times during the event.

3) Under the "guidance on the path" heading, trained hypnotherapists or skilled regressionists could offer to PROGRESS clients to see what their future potentials might be. (Edgar Cayce saw his own future while in trance; presumably others can learn to do the same.)

4) Astrologers and seers might want to specialize in career/business readings to get people into their "right livelihoods" quicker.

5) Traditional healers and counselors could add an alternative component, both to speed healing and to facilitate an "instant altered state."

For example, dentists could offer guided meditation through headphones prior to or during orthodox dental procedures. If they specialized in nervous patients, and had a good track record of easing "dentist anxiety," they'd never lack for word-of-mouth referrals. The client would feel better about himself for handling his fear, and might even edge into an "altered state." This method could work for surgeons, too.

6) According to Melinda Davis, storytelling is now being used by the military and big business. For example, after September 11, 2001, the government asked a number of Hollywood filmmakers to devise various scenarios for thwarting terrorism - as a "what if" learning tool.

Stories also help people understand complex information more quickly. If you're a writer or storyteller, you could conduct workshops where you teach attendees to "write their way" through their fear of an illness or anger with a relationship issue. In the telling of their personal stories, they begin to guide themselves through to acceptance or a greater understanding.

7) Distance healing, shamanic healing, spiritual healing are likely to gain mainstream recognition. Start gathering bona fide testimonials and build your website. You may need to work through the auspices of a religious or cultural group to stay on the right side of the AMA and local licensing laws, but we all know how much healing needs to be done. According to Melinda Davis, it's time to shine your light farther out.

8) My own field - spiritual marketing - seems to fit here, too, as business owners remember to put the mission before the money. (In order to follow your bliss, you've got to find it first.) In 2001, I wrote a marketing course for holistic and home-based business owners that helps them design their business around their life's purpose, so that business and "sense of self" are naturally harmonious. It appears I was breaking new ground and didn't even know it.

What new ground can you break in the coming year that sets you apart from others in your field?

How can you help people attain "peak psycho-spiritual experiences" through your work? If you feel inspired to raise the vision of your business, check out "The New Culture of Desire" by Melinda Davis.

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Riding the Energy Wave

by Barbara Casey

Since the destruction of the World Trade Center and the US military's incursions into the Middle East and Afghanistan, people seem to have headed toward two opposite edges of the same continuum. On the one side are those who feel retaliation and war are the only answer. On the other side is the re-emergence of the peace movement.

We've seen huge peace rallies, world wide group meditations and prayers, and online courses in Spiritual Peacemaking (www.emissaryoflight.com), all of which have one focused aim -- to raise consciousness about peace.

The methodology is quite interesting. If masses of people focus on and send out higher vibratory thoughts and feelings, it can't help but have an effect on people passing through the energy. If you were a Buccaneer fan during the January 2003 Super Bowl hoopla, you'll know exactly what I mean.

Even those who don't normally follow the game were caught up in the excitement as the dream of true blue fans got closer to being realized. The entire region swam in an energy of hopefulness, followed by pride and then incredible joy.

What do football and the peace movement have to do with your business? In themselves, maybe not too much. But as examples of energy transmutation, plenty.

If you want your business, organization or spiritual center to make a difference in the world, find ways to frequently raise your own vibratory energy, as individuals and in your groups. You know how -- prayer, meditation, walks in nature, music, inspirational writings -- whatever works. (Click here for more ideas.)

Your clients, members and parishioners will get an energy boost too. They might not know why, but they'll feel lighter, happier and more at ease. They will want to be around you, because it feels so good to be there. If you practice this diligently, you'll fill your appointment schedule and your pews in no time.

Peace on earth starts with you and me doing our daily work with an attitude of joy and love. If you want a huge energy booster, by all means attend one of the big peace rallies. But you don't really need to. All it takes is to feel the heart of your client beating as one with yours as you help him improve his life in some way.

People with higher thoughts and vibrations stimulate others to higher thoughts. As the teachers, healers and wayshowers, it starts with you. But it goes on forever.

Spiritual Marketing Articles: Vol. 2

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Riding the Energy Wave