I recently reread Wallace Wattles, The Science of Getting Rich, the book that inspired Rhonda Byrne to create the movie, The Secret. I thought it might help me figure out how to create a business that operates on spiritual principles such as service as a driving force instead of profit, cooperation instead of competition, and giving in addition to getting.

I've run several businesses over a 21-year period, and while I have enjoyed success, there was always something missing that I couldn't put my finger on. I'd read this book several years ago, and, at the time, I can honestly say I wasn't all that impressed. The book was published in 1910, for crying out loud! What relevance could it possibly have for me today?

Today, I have a better understanding of the message Wattles was communicating. He encourages us to do things "in a certain way" in order to be successful in business. This "certain way" is his "science" of getting "rich and is summarized in the last chapter of the book. It consists of 8 statements that I've organized under 5 headings:

o Our Consciousness-Based Reality
o The Competitive vs. The Creative Mind
o The Importance of Gratitude
o The Creative Process
o Manifestation.

Wattles adds a final statement that makes a bold promise to everyone who follows his method. Let's see if I can use Wattles science as a model for how to conduct my business in the 21st century.

Statement #1: "There is a thinking substance from which all things are made, and which, in its original state, permeates, penetrates and fills the interspaces of the universe."

Statement #2: "A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought."

Statement #3: "Man can form things in his thought, and by impressing his thought upon formless substance, can cause the thing he thinks about to be created."

The entire Science of Getting Rich rests on these first three fundamental principles about the nature of reality, i.e., that everything in physical existence is a manifestation of this "thinking substance" which I will call "consciousness." In other words, physical reality is a by-product or expression of consciousness, not the other way around. Quantum physists such as Niels Bohr,Max Planck, Albert Einstein and Fred Aan Wolf have provided the scientific evidence to support this new way of perceiving reality.

Statement #4: "In order to do this, man must pass from the competitive to the creative mind; else he cannot be in harmony with the Formless Intelligence, which is always creative and never competitive in spirit."

The competitive mind is based on a belief in limited resources. It says that there's only so much to go around, and I need to compete with other businesses to get customers and make my money. It's essentially a win-lose business model -- someone has to lose in order for me to win.

But according to Wattles, because infinite, unlimited "Formless Intelligence" or consciousness is a medium that is responsive to my thought, I don't need to compete. I simply "contemplate the vision" or focus on what I want in my mind, believe that I can create it (otherwise, I won't), and give thanks that it is already mine. There's enough for everyone because everyone has access to Formless Intelligence; therefore, everyone wins.

Statement #5: "Man may come into full harmony with the Formless Substance by entertaining a lively and sincere gratitude for the blessings it betows upon him. ..."

Why is it important to "come into full harmony with the Formless Substance" or nsciousness? And how does gratitude achieve this? I think Wattles is saying that, because this malleable medium of consciousness conforms to the thoughts I impress upon it, it makes sense to be grateful. Tthe more grateful thoughts I think, the more things I will create to be grateful for.

Statement #6: "Man must form a clear and definite mental image of the things he wishes to have, to do, or to become; and he must hold this mental image in his thoughts, while being deeply grateful to the Supreme that all his desires are granted to him."

This is a concise statement of the creative process. It consists of three essential ingredients:

1. Regular contemplation of a clear mental image of what you want.
2. Unshakable faith in the creative processs that will bring it to you, and
3. Deep gratitude, not only for what you have but for what you are about to receive.

Statement #7: "... What [man] wants will come to him through the ways of established trade and business.... "

Statement #8: "In order to receive his own when it shall come to him, man must ... do, every day, all that can be done that day, taking care to do each act in a successful manner. He must give to every man a use value in excess of the cash value he receives ... "

These two statements describe the means by which the mental image manifests as physical reality, as well as how one should conduct oneself each day in order for this to happen. I'm still not 100% sure what Wattles means by "ways of established trade and business." I don't think he's implying that new ways of trade and business can't be established. It may simply mean that following the steps of the creative process will bring you the people, opportunities, and everything else that will lead to the full manifestation of your desire, as long as you also take action.

Therefore, I'm not sitting around all day in mental contemplation of what I want. Wattles stresses the importance of doing everything I can do each day, doing it as successfully as I can, AND giving more in "use" value than I receive in "cash" value.

Wattles explains that giving more than I receive allows me to advance what he calls "the impression of increase" to everybody I come into contact with. And from a logical point of view, this makes sense. The more I give superior service which exceeds how much I'm paid for it, the more people are going to want to do business with me, and the more money I'll make. I don't need to let a concern for profit cloud my ability to give superior service. If I follow Wallace's advice, money and profits are assured.

"The men and women who practice the foregoing instructions will certainly get rich; and the riches they receive will be in exact proportion to the definiteness of their vision, the fixity of their purpose, the steadiness of their faith, and the depth of their gratitude."

That's a bold claim to make. But Wattles' is convinced that his "scientific method" for getting rich will work.  By following his instructions, I should be able to prove it to myrself.

Based on the above, a spiritual business model would be one in which:I create the success I desire from the unlimited bounty of Formless Substance or consciousness by

• Focusing on what I want,
  
• Believing I already have it,
• Trusting in the creative process, and
  
• Giving thanks.

As my vision unfolds in the material world, I know that the actions I take will be successful and that, as I give more in use value than I receive in cash value, I provide excellent service and make a boat load of money as a result. Sounds good to me.