Wealth Creation Ideas for 2005

No longer is 8216;profit8217; a dirty word, though the last remains of an outdated philosophy drag their heels and slow down the pace. No longer is wealth creation a time-pass for the debauched. We are now celebrating our money heroes and entrepreneurship 8211; Dhirubhai Ambani, Nayaran Murthy, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw 8211; who have showed what can be done in a country that is still caught up in regulation and government control.

What has caused this change? An increasing freedom to live and work according to choices made and not according to a frame inherited. Political freedom, without economic liberty had not been enough. It was like trying to run the marathon on one leg. Economic freedom has given a crutch to the lame Indian. And she8217;s doing pretty well hobbling along today. What will happen when the leg mends and she gets the freedom to run? From deriding the lame runner, the world is now wondering about the speed that will be unlocked once the government even half-completes Operation Freedom. Each area 8211; agriculture, infrastructure, services, industry 8211; from being a cess pool of problems, looks like so much unexploited growth. The glass looks half full instead of half empty to India. And to the world.

We, at The Indian Express are part of this change and through this weekly personal finance page have tried to keep you at the cutting edge of wealth creation 8211; stock markets, debt markets inflation, home loans, smart spending 8211; we8217;ve tried to address them all. Through the year we have brought you serious and straight laced stories on how to protect your current financial position, how to make your money grow, or make what you have, last longer. At the end of the year, we take a breather and look out of the box to see other roads that may lead to the same destination we are headed in. And, guess what? We found a whole new way to create wealth! A different journey for our regular readers this year end. We8217;ll be back with the old stuff in 2005. Happy money making.

The Feng Shui way to wealth
The ancient Chinese art of living, Feng Shui pronounced fung schway revolves around the notion of 8216;energy8217;, the invisible life form known as prana in India and chi in China. Whether this energy entering the home and office will create or destroy depends on how it approaches, enters and then circulates in the space. Feng Shui has a set of prescribed rules around directions and what to do what not to, in each direction to maximise the benefit from it. We showcase some Feng Shui prescriptions around wealth creation and preservation.

8226; Bathroom doors should be kept shut, with toilet seats down, to prevent Chi, opportunity, wealth, and happiness from being flushed away
8226; Place a currency note of the highest denomination over a round mirror in the south-east part of the house. Then place a small money plant over it, preferably in a green or blue coloured pot. The mirror, which symbolically magnifies the note, will attract wealth and prosperity and help it grow with the money plant
8226; Place a laughing Buddha, carrying a wealth bag, in the south-east part of the living room, in an elevated position and facing the entrance door. It is believed that wealth is stored in his stomach. Rub it thrice a day to stimulate wealth energy
8226; Have plenty of fresh lush green foliage in the south-east of the garden balcony or living room since green signifies growth in wealth. The auspicious plants are lemon, jade, ferns and money plant
8226; Dustbins brooms, mops sweep away your good luck when stored in the south east, heavy metallic trunks or cupboards kept in this place further deplete finances as metal destroys the wood energy
8226; Keep a red bag or an envelope full of currency notes, which is again tied with a red ribbon in the south east corner. It will bring prosperity in plenty
8226; Financial growth can be enhanced by growing fish in a pond in the garden or in an aquarium in the south-east part of the living room. A combination of eight goldfish with one black goldfish is considered auspicious
8226; Create a treasure box with jewellery, silver coins and semi-precious stones and place in the western sector of the house to enhance your child8217;s fortune
8226; For business people, keeping their slow moving merchandise in the north-west sector will help sell goods faster
8226; To buy a car or house of your dreams, frame a picture of the desired thing in a golden metallic frame and place in the north-west sector
8226; Three Chinese coins tied together with a red ribbon and kept in the south-east corner will bring prosperity

There is money in your hands
For those tired of the roller coaster stock markets, here is a more peaceful way to improve your health and wealth 8211; through concentration on hand mudras or hand postures. Ashok Kumaar Sarada, who runs a wealth attraction course in Bangalore, believes that hand postures have the ability to attract wealth. Your Money Matters asks him for some tips on how to do this.

What is the significance of mudras in wealth creation?
Mudras play an important role in our life. It helps to activate our sub-conscious mind to get faster results. Mudras, if practiced with wealth attraction symbols, helps one gain wealth, peace, harmony and health. Developed hundreds of years ago, these mudras can be learnt from any book and you don8217;t need initiation from a guru.

How many such Mudras are there? Can you describe them?
Though there are many such mudras, a few are:
8226; Dhyan Mudra. Your thumb should touch the tip of your index finger, making a circle and remaining three fingers should be straight. Keep in this position for 10-15 minutes to help you in better concentration. A good mudra for the seeker of health and wealth, it works better if you chant a mantra or affirmation along with it. If practiced with wealth symbols given below, it gives amazing results.

8226; Linga Mudra. Fingers of both of your hands should clamped together, your left thumb must cover your right thumb and the right thumb stands straight, pointing upward. This boosts brain energy and helps a person in good decision making. Start with 10 8211; 15 minutes and then increase to half hour.

Then there are two wealth symbols:
8226; Money Mudra. Join palms together. Bring thumb towards you, except for the index fingers, clamp the other three fingers. Bring this mudra near your mouth. Chant any prayer or affirmation helps a person to attract money. This mudra helps remove the negativity of the money you receive and helps to attract money from known and unknown sources.
8226; Kuber Mudra. The tip of thumb, index finger and middle finger should touch each other remaining ring and little finger touches the base of the thumb, pointing upward. This helps retain the earned money and to avoid unnecessary expenditure. Practice these two mudras for at least two to three minutes at one go. You can do them as often as you please.

Has anybody used them successfully?
Those who practice these mudras daily are bound to get positive results. People from different fields have used them successfully. If not done properly, the benefits don8217;t come. However, there are no side effects.

Is it working for you?
Generally people misinterpret wealth with only money. Wealth is the combination of health, peace, harmony and money. Yes, it has helped me tremendously. It has increased my energy as well as efficiency levels. Earlier after working for 3 to 4 hours, I used to feel lethargic. Now I am actively working for 15 to 16 hours. It helps remove insomnia as well as it increases the prana-shakti.