Page 32 - Masala Lite Issue 169 January 2025

32 CASH COURSE WITH ATUL

e lat
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you have later in life to devote
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MONEY AND yourself to spirituality. Even
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MINDFULNESS poi n ts, they mak e e that
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and are eye-opening.
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CAN EXIST IN money and mindfulness
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are not mutually exclusive.

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B
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HARMONY Both are tools – one external, ,
the other internal – that can
the o
ther in
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f gr
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e a lif
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help us cr
help us create a life of greater

fulfilment.
Ther e ar e cl ear benefits that
There are clear benefits that
meditation and/or mindfulness
meditation and/or mindfulness
practice can have on financial-related
pr actic e can hav e on fi nancial -r elat ed
matters. Even if you do not meditate and
m a t t e r s . E v e n i f y o u d o n o t m e d i t a t e a n d
A BRIEF SUMMARY:
have no intention to, appreciating some of
• I was at a talk recently where a spiritual teacher spoke about how money these relationships may be helpful.
and mindfulness are friends, not foes. More clarity, better decisions
Meditation can sharpen our ability to focus and reduce impulsive behaviour. These skills

• The values that meditation promotes can help in making better financial transfer well when related to financial decisions. Making decisions in the heat of the moment

decisions.
often ends up being regarded as mistakes later.
• The mental clarity that mindfulness practices seek can help one curb emotional Being able to better control emotions can combat
decision-making and avoid costly mistakes. this. Keeping the long-term goal(s) in mind can help
when things are tough. If you invest your savings,
• A balance between being aggressive and cautious is key in all matters of risk. there are likely to be ups and downs. Nothing goes
Even if you do not meditate and have no intention to, appreciating these up in one straight line – not even Bitcoin. Mental
relationships may be helpful. clarity can help one stick to the plan and better
combat some of the bumps along the way.
Finding balance
Friends, Not Foes The balance that mindfulness promotes can be
Money, mindfulness and meditation can help each other thrive, contrary to what many applied in many ways to finances. Financial markets

may think. I was at a talk recently given by a spiritual teacher who used to be an investment are described as swinging back and forth on a
banker in Hong Kong. The subject of his speech was how the pursuit of money fits well pendulum where the two ends are fear and greed.

with a spiritual pursuit. He believes that there is an impression that ambitions related to Too aggressive or too cautious rarely serves someone
making and growing money exist at odds with spirituality. Chasing financial success is well in the long run. The appropriate balance

something impure and driven by greed.
somewhere in between can allow compound
The argument was simple: everyone has a karmic debt to repay through some form of interest to run rampant.
work to society. The more you work and aggressively pursue money today, the more time
Choosing to Thrive
Darshan Mehta advocates for
embracing new beginnings in the
New Year

As the calendar turns and we welcome a new year, many of us take a moment to reflect
on our lives—the struggles we’ve endured, the victories we’ve celebrated, and the
possibilities that lie ahead. At this crossroads, we often ask ourselves, “What do I want
this year to be?” It’s a question that challenges us to consider how we move through
life: Do we merely survive, or do we choose to thrive?

Survival is a natural instinct. It’s about staying afloat, meeting basic needs, and getting
through each day. Survival often feels safe, familiar, and necessary, especially in times
of uncertainty. If you’re in survival mode, there is no shame in that. You’re doing what
you need to do to keep going, and that’s a triumph in itself. Life is unpredictable, and The beauty of the New Year is that it gives us a clean slate. It reminds us that we’re not
sometimes survival is the best we can manage. bound by our past decisions or circumstances. Every choice we make—whether to survive
or thrive—is valid, and there’s no judgment in where you are right now. But if you hear a
But the New Year invites us to consider the possibility of more—of thriving. Thriving is
whisper inside you, urging you to take that leap, let this be the year you listen.
about growth, fulfillment, and daring to reach for something greater. It means stepping

beyond your comfort zone and imagining a life where you’re not just getting by but Thriving doesn’t mean you have to overhaul your life overnight. It begins with small,

genuinely flourishing. While survival is reactive, thriving is proactive. It requires courage, intentional steps—choosing courage over fear, growth over stagnation, and possibility

intention, and often, the willingness to embrace discomfort. over limitation. It’s about deciding that you’re worthy of the effort it takes to create a
life that inspires you.
The choice to thrive is not about dismissing challenges or pretending everything is perfect.

Thriving acknowledges the reality of hardships but refuses to be defined by them. It’s So as you step into the New Year, ask yourself: What would it look like to thrive? Whatever
about daring to dream, setting goals, and pursuing them with passion. It’s about seeking your answer, know that you have the power to choose. This year, survival is an option.
joy, cultivating resilience, and building a life that aligns with your deepest values. Thriving is a choice. And the decision is yours.
Choosing to thrive might mean starting that project you’ve been postponing, learning
a new skill, or reaching out to build meaningful connections. It might mean letting go
of something—or someone—that no longer serves you. It could be as bold as changing Darshan Mehta is the founder and CEO of Carmina,
careers or as subtle as committing to self-care practices prioritising your well-being. a Latin cuisine restaurant in Bangkok, and the host of
Thriving looks different for everyone, but it always involves growth. the “Getting to Aha” podcast. He also the founder

Of course, thriving comes with risks. It’s not always easy to venture into the unknown, of iResearch, an online insights platform that enables

to push against the limits of what feels comfortable. There will be moments of doubt, companies to quickly, easily, and affordably extract
fear, and even failure. But those moments are not signs of weakness; they’re evidence insights from consumers or employees worldwide.
that you’re striving for something more. He can be reached at dm@iresearch.com.
MASAL A LITE ISSUE 169 - JANUARY 2025