Discover the Dark Power of Money

What is an idol? Do you think you know? For idols are unrecognized as such, and never seen for what they really are. That is the only power that they have.
(A Course in Miracles)

In a psychological study some people were subconsciously exposed to money symbols. Some computers had dollar bills as screen savers, some rooms had monopoly money in the background placed on coffee tables, etc. Everyone was given some mock test to work on. The true experiment happened when someone "accidentally" dropped pencils.
 It turned out that all the people who were primed with money symbols were less helpful on average in picking them up. So by being exposed to money symbols you automatically become more selfish!

Isn't that result amazing? Be careful with the interpretation though. If you now close all your bank accounts, distribute your 401(k) money to the poor and withdraw into the Himalayas you are only running away from the problem. Of course money is everywhere, you can't avoid it. What you can do though, you can be aware of the dark cloud that descends as you open up your retirement fund statements and contemplate the supposedly future happy period when you supposedly will finally be safe and free. Deep down inside you equate money with safety, power and happiness. Recognize this link and be aware of it. Money is just another idol, as so many other objects and people are. Recognize them one by one any they will lose their power over you.