Artha – wealth

«Spiritual merit and wealth are called “good”; or pleasure and wealth; or spiritual merit alone, or wealth alone is “good”; but the truth is that it is the aggregate of the three» (Manusmirti, 2.224). 

Arthavidyā is the knowledge of practical life. Artha refers in particular to something very concrete and pragmatic and then to a purpose, a goal too. In fact in the Hindu vision artha, understood as material well-being, is among the four main goals of existence together with pleasure (kāma), duty (dharma) and final liberation (moksha). In this perspective, material enrichment is not at all in contrast with spiritual search.

You should make it your way of seeing things, Cancer. This month you have energy and enthusiasm enough to learn, plan, communicate, move to promote what you do. You can take advantage of this period of ferment to counteract the discouragement and the tiredness of recent times and above all to move from daydreams to something concrete. Be careful, however, that your dreams are truly achievable. The risk is to idealize and carry on something that in the long term you could struggle to maintain. Keep your feet on the ground and use them concretely.

Help yourself  to be more realistic with these exercises:

Trikona-āsana,, triangle pose.  A harmonious position to be balanced on one side and the other. An example of balance and stability. It gives the sense of the base, bringing dynamism with measure and attention. // 1-2 min. per side.

Utkata-āsana, literally the unstable pose, but known as the powerful pose and the yogic chair too. Strong and firm on your legs, try to relax in this effort. Take stock of yourself and of what you want. // From 30 sec. to 1 min.

Concentration. Sit in a meditative pose. Take a moment to look at your body and relax all your muscles. Observe your breath and the state of your mind. Then start counting from 1 to 7. When you get to 7, start over again. Every time you distract yourself starts again from 1. Try to stay focused on the count, without leaving it in the background while the mind thinks about something else. Test your ability to concentrate here and now. // From 5 to 15 minutes.

TOTAL TIME: from 8 to 20 minutes.

MANTRA OF THE MONTH: «What can I really do?».