A Perspective on the Worldwide Stock Market Crash and Current Recession

Of course a big topic in every ones minds and conversations over the last weeks has been the stock market crash and subsequent economic downturn in the global economy. With this in mind I asked an I AM University student whose career is as a financial securities analyst to write a couple of paragraphs on the lessons that can be learned from the situation for those actively involved in their spiritual path. Here’s what he came up with, some very interesting points. With many thanks to Mark for his time and effort in putting the below synopsis together:

An Overall Assessment:

Greed and fear
Unfortunately, the financial markets, or the Wall Street profession has two basic emotions-greed and fear. In the financial profession the workload, workplace and overall sentiment is good during economic good times but greed runs rampant at most Wall Street firms. When the economy turns sour greed turns to fear. Fear is a greater emotion than greed. As a result, the financial markets become much more volatile making it difficult for securities analysts such as myself to make good stock picks on a consistent basis.

A technical analysis of what has happened:
This down turn in the U.S. economy is not surprising. There is an analytical tool called ‘Technical Analysis’ that shows the U.S. stock market completed a multi-year double top in 2000 and 2007. In between the S&P 500 the market barometer used by most financial professionals in the U.S. bottomed at about 800 after tumbling from 1500. Since the peak last year the S&P has fallen from about 1550 to 1100. One can expect the S&P shall drop meaningfully below 800 in the next 6-36 months. Such a drop obviously implies much greater problems ahead than we are currently aware of today. Although the stock market has not yet imploded and is nearly 25% above the last recession low the media/financial news talks about how difficult it is for any company to borrow money and how the economy is the worst since the depression. Also, I have seen discussion that the says the U.S. is headed for a depression or for becoming a rural economy. A lot of fear mongering is going around. Considering that my organization has been one of the few financial firms in the area to have hired in the last few years a severe economic recession or depression does not bode well for job security.

What are the Lessons that can be Learned?

Dealing with fear:
What lessons can be learned from what is going on? Frank Hebert says in his book entitled Dune, "Fear is the mind-killer". Fear locks our awareness into the material plane. The more you spend your time locked in the experience of fear, the more you will believe the reality that is playing out.
It helps to cope with the fear to realize that what is taking place is part of the economic cycle. Everyone remembers the economic depression that started in 1929. It is easy to forget the depression that started in 1837 that lasted until 1843 and another one that started in 1892. These events are part of a normal business cycle.
Humanity has an attachment to money and many have a fear of lack or not having enough money. In fact this is one of humanities greatest fears. In order for humanity to move on to the next stage of evolution in its consciousness it must transcend this fear of not having enough money. I believe that if the global economy does collapse ending a monetary system as we know it, that this is part of the process associated with the end of an era in the development of human consciousness and the rebirth of a new one.

Competition vs co-operation:
Current society promotes competitiveness. Competitiveness is part of separateness. For humanity to truly evolve in terms of our consciousness, we need to think from oneness. This means that for humanity to advance the economic system has to change from competition-based to cooperation-based where peoples' aspirations are not based on how much money they have but how much service they have provided others. The road may be a tough one. In spiritual teachings we are constantly taught that our mind creates our reality. I try to think with an abundance-minded consciousness. Until money is no longer the commodity used to purchase basic necessities my intention is to try to accumulate more and along the way help others.
I think I read somewhere in one of Dr. Stone's books that we can best touch the heart's of others when we ourselves are in a state of abundance.
One last lesson, Djwhal Khul (an ascended master made famous by the channeled work of Madam Blavatsky and Alice Bailey in the early and mid 20th centuries) has written in a message, "When you wear the colours green and gold in your own energy field you'll naturally magnetize to you more money". I try to remember that whatever lies in front of me is part of my learning and lessons and that sometimes hardship or problems can lead to the best lessons (golden nuggets of wisdom).