8. Avarice (Matsar)

I am grateful for what I have and share abundantly with the world.

I free myself from envy and greed. With a heart full of gratitude and abundance, I share my blessings and appreciate the success of others.

Mantra's:

Om Dhanvantre Namah

Om Vasudharaya Swaha

8

Avarice

(matsor or matsarya)

Conceit lends the player to feel envious of others. He is so obsessed with the delusion of being a separate reality that no means of fulfilling his desire seems unjustifiable. After all, thinks the conceited player, 1 am so much better than others that 1 deserve what they have. So in this game avarice is linked with the snake of envy—for it is the envy created by conceit that leads to avarice.

In the state of avarice the player has an active dislike of other players. He is too good for them, and what they have is also too good for them. Therefore, he reasons, what they have should be his. He becomes spiteful and lusts after the material belongings of his fellows. This contrasts with greed, where only the material is seen. Avarice is greed coupled with envy. As he becomes more avaricious his thirst for wealth increases, and all the other first-chakra problems begin to plague him.

Eight is a number that decreases when multiplied: 8x1 =8; 8x2 = 16=1 + 6 = 7; 8x3 = 24 = 6; 8x4 = 32 = 5; 8x5 = 40 = 4; 8x6 = 48 = 3; 8 x 7 = 56 = 2; 8 x 8 = 64 = 1. When eight realizes 9 — thus 8x9 = 72 — it becomes 9, and on the next cycle it returns to its original state, 8 x 10 = 80 = 8. This phenomenon is synonymous with the cyclical nature of all reality and the process of human existence. The subtle diminishes as the gross increases, until the heart of the gross is penetrated and becomes subtle again. Thus every increase decreases; every decrease increases. Nothing is ever lost. Only the nature of manifestation changes.

Among the moon-family numbers, 8 represents the octave, the eight dimensions, the eightfold maya (three gunas and the five subtle elements). In numerology, 8 is the moon’s north node, and it is associated with the planet Saturn. This is a complex planet, difficult to understand. It has many ups and downs, and terrible struggles. It is an “airy" planet, associated with darkness, and is symbolized as a silent thinker or a ser­vant, introspective and materialistically minded. People born under the number 8 collect wealth as a hobby and are subject to addiction and vice. But they are wise and experienced and have a special ability to judge people.

Song

Avarice

Avarice takes hold, a hunger dark and deep,
For what they possess, a treasure we must keep.

Wealth as a trap, addictions hold us tight,
But hidden wisdom, can pierce through darkest night.

The subtle fades, the gross begins to rise,
Until the core is reached, where transformation lies.

Judgment's keen eye, a power we can wield,
To break free from avarice, and have the truth revealed.

Psychotherapy

What This Means for You

Landing on 'Avarice' repeatedly may indicate that you are struggling with letting go of material desires or that your focus on material gains is overshadowing other aspects of your life, such as relationships, personal growth, or spiritual development. It may also suggest a fear of scarcity or a belief that accumulating more will bring you happiness and security.

How to Improve Yourself

To transcend this state, consider the following steps:

1. Practice Contentment (Santosha):

   • Cultivate an attitude of gratitude for what you already have. This helps shift your focus from what you lack to what you possess, reducing the desire for more.
   • Reflect on the impermanence of material possessions and how true fulfillment comes from inner peace, not external wealth.
     
     

2. Engage in Generosity (Dana):

   • Practice giving, whether it’s time, resources, or support. Generosity can help you detach from the grip of avarice and shift your focus towards the well-being of others.
   • Consider volunteering or donating to causes that resonate with you, allowing you to experience the joy of giving.
     
     

3. Examine Your Beliefs:

   • Reflect on why you desire more material wealth. Are there underlying insecurities or fears that drive this need?
   • Work on releasing these fears through meditation, affirmations, or discussions with a trusted mentor.
     
     

4. Prioritize Inner Growth:

   • Redirect your energy towards activities that nurture your soul, such as meditation, yoga, or creative pursuits. These can help you connect with your higher self and realize that true wealth is internal.
     
     

5. Simplify Your Life:

   • Consider adopting a minimalist lifestyle. Reducing the clutter in your physical space can have a profound impact on your mental and emotional state, helping you break free from the cycle of avarice.
     
     

By focusing on these practices, you can gradually move beyond avarice and progress to higher states of consciousness in the game of life. This journey is about aligning with your true nature, where abundance is not measured by material wealth but by the richness of your inner experience.

Case study

Client: When I reflect on why I desire more material wealth and the underlying insecurities or fears that drive this need, it is clear to me that my wife is the driver for this. Just with my ex they want me to produce a steady stream of income, but their pressure seems to create the opposite effect.

Reply

It’s insightful that you’ve identified the source of your desire for material wealth as being influenced by external pressure, particularly from your wife. This situation, where expectations from a partner create stress, is quite common, and understanding it is the first step toward managing it effectively.

Understanding the Dynamics

The pressure you feel to produce a steady stream of income likely stems from a genuine concern for stability and security, which are natural desires in any relationship. However, when this pressure feels overwhelming or misaligned with your own values or abilities, it can create stress, resentment, and even block your ability to manifest wealth effectively.

The Impact of Pressure on Prosperity

Pressure, especially when it’s external and persistent, can paradoxically lead to the opposite of what is desired. When you’re under stress, your mind and body are often in a state of tension, which can block creativity, intuition, and the flow of abundance. This state of avarice becomes more pronounced as the fear of not having enough or not meeting expectations intensifies.

Steps to Improve the Situation

1. Open Communication:

   • Have an honest and compassionate conversation with your wife about how her expectations affect you. Explain how the pressure impacts your well-being and ability to focus on generating income.
   • Approach the conversation with a mindset of partnership, focusing on how you can work together to achieve mutual goals without creating stress.

2. Set Clear Boundaries:

   • It’s important to establish boundaries regarding financial expectations. This might involve discussing realistic goals, timelines, and the understanding that wealth building is a gradual process.
   • Make it clear that while you are committed to providing, you also need space and support to do so effectively.

3. Shift the Focus:

   • Instead of focusing solely on income, emphasize other forms of wealth, such as emotional support, shared experiences, and personal growth. This can help reframe the relationship dynamics around values that are not purely financial.
   • Encourage a shared vision of success that includes non-material aspects, helping to reduce the fixation on income as the sole measure of success.

4. Work on Inner Strength:

   • Cultivate inner strength and confidence through practices like meditation, affirmations, or therapy. This will help you stay centered and resilient in the face of external pressures.
   • Strengthen your self-worth independent of your financial situation. This can help you resist the pull of avarice and maintain balance in your life.

5. Explore Mutual Solutions:

   • Consider exploring alternative ways to contribute to the household that might not be purely financial. This could include taking on more domestic responsibilities, supporting your wife in her pursuits, or finding ways to cut expenses together.
   • If possible, discuss diversifying income streams in ways that align with your passions and strengths, so that earning feels more fulfilling and less burdensome.

6. Seek External Support:

   • Couples counseling or financial coaching could provide a neutral space to explore these dynamics and create a plan that works for both of you. Sometimes, having a third party mediate these conversations can make a significant difference.
     
     

Releasing Avarice Through Balance

By addressing the external pressures and finding a balance that respects both your needs and your partner's expectations, you can begin to release the grip of avarice. It’s about creating a life where wealth is not just measured in material terms but also in emotional, spiritual, and relational terms. When you align your actions with a sense of inner peace rather than external pressure, you may find that abundance flows more naturally into your life.