Lower Consciousness in Immoral and Criminal Ways of Making Money: An Ego-Driven Mentality

In the modern world, there are countless immoral and criminal activities designed to generate wealth at the expense of others. These activities are direct manifestations of Lower Consciousness (LC), where ego, greed, and self-interest dominate behavior. These actions reflect an individual’s attachment to material gain, power, and status, while disregarding the well-being, dignity, and rights of others.

Let's explore some of the most egregious examples of LC-driven wealth accumulation, and how they harm both individuals and society.

1. Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes, where individuals are exploited for labor, sex, or organ trade. It is estimated that 25 million people worldwide are victims of trafficking, generating billions of dollars for traffickers. This modern-day form of slavery exemplifies Lower Consciousness because it involves the complete objectification of human beings, treating them as commodities for profit.

• LC Mentality: Traffickers are driven by pure greed and power, often justifying their actions by viewing their victims as less than human. This lack of empathy and compassion highlights the ego’s attachment to power and control, completely disregarding the sanctity of human life.

2. Drug Dealing and the Narcotics Trade

The illegal drug trade generates hundreds of billions of dollars globally, at the cost of human lives and societal well-being. Drug cartels and dealers profit from addiction, crime, and violence, perpetuating cycles of poverty and destruction in communities around the world.

• LC Mentality: The ego-driven pursuit of wealth in the drug trade thrives on the suffering of others. Dealers and cartels prioritize material gain over the health and safety of others, often justifying their actions with the idea that “it’s just business.” This reflects a complete disconnection from the deeper truth of Oneness, where all beings are interconnected.

3. Scam Artists and Fraud

From Ponzi schemes to identity theft and other scams, fraudsters prey on the vulnerable, stealing money and resources through deception. This not only causes financial ruin for victims but also creates distrust within society.

• LC Mentality: Scam artists operate from a narcissistic mindset, believing they are entitled to other people’s resources by outsmarting them. Their greed and manipulation demonstrate the ego’s attachment to material success at the expense of honesty, fairness, and ethical behavior.

4. White Collar Crime: Financial and Banking Corruption

White-collar crimes like embezzlement, insider trading, and corporate fraud are often committed by individuals or groups in powerful positions within banks and corporations. While less visible than violent crimes, white-collar crime can have devastating effects on large populations, wiping out savings, causing bankruptcies, and contributing to economic instability.

• LC Mentality: White-collar criminals are typically motivated by greed and the desire for status and power. They often rationalize their behavior by believing they are above the law or that they deserve more than others, reflecting a profound disconnection from the truth of interconnectedness and the responsibility to act ethically.

5. Political Corruption

Corruption in politics, such as bribery, vote tampering, and embezzlement of public funds, erodes the trust citizens have in their governments and results in widespread poverty, injustice, and societal breakdown. Corrupt politicians use their positions of power to enrich themselves, while the public suffers from ineffective policies and misuse of resources.

• LC Mentality: Political corruption is a clear manifestation of ego-based desires for control and wealth. Instead of serving the greater good, corrupt leaders use their power for personal gain, disregarding the needs of the people they were elected to serve.

6. Slavery and Exploitative Labor Practices

While slavery in its traditional sense has been outlawed in many parts of the world, exploitative labor practices persist in the form of sweatshops, child labor, and indentured servitude. Corporations or individuals take advantage of vulnerable populations, forcing them to work in inhumane conditions for little or no pay.

• LC Mentality: Those who exploit labor for profit are deeply attached to material wealth, with no regard for the well-being of the workers. This reflects the core traits of LC, where ego-driven greed prioritizes profit over human dignity and rights.

Rationalization of Lower Consciousness Actions

The perpetrators of these criminal and immoral actions often rationalize their behavior in ways that align with the Lower Consciousness mindset:

• Justification by Greed: Many justify their actions by claiming that their wealth is a reward for their cunning or superiority. They view the world as a competitive arena where the “strongest” (in terms of wealth and power) survive.

• “It’s Just Business” Mentality: This phrase is commonly used to excuse actions that harm others. It reflects a separation between the personal and ethical aspects of life, and the ego-driven pursuit of material success.

• Denial of Responsibility: Many individuals involved in these actions deny the impact of their actions on others. They may believe that since they are not directly committing violence or harm, they are not responsible for the consequences of their actions.

OM Perspective: Shifting from LC to HC

The Oneness Movement (OM) views these criminal and immoral acts as manifestations of Lower Consciousness, where individuals prioritize their ego-driven desires for wealth, power, and control over the well-being of others. In contrast, Higher Consciousness (HC) focuses on values like compassion, justice, and the understanding that we are all interconnected fragments of Oneness.

From the OM perspective, the goal is to shift from an LC mentality to an HC worldview, where people recognize their responsibility to the collective well-being and prioritize ethical behavior over selfish desires. In an HC world, wealth would not be pursued at the expense of others, but would be viewed as a tool for service, ensuring that everyone’s basic needs are met.

Conclusion: Transcending Ego-Driven Desires

The various immoral and criminal ways of making money—whether through human trafficking, drug dealing, white-collar crime, or political corruption—are clear reflections of Lower Consciousness. These actions cater to the ego’s attachment to material success, status, and power while causing immense suffering to others.

To transcend this mentality, individuals and society as a whole must move toward Higher Consciousness, where ethical behavior, compassion, and interconnectedness are at the forefront. By doing so, we can create a world where wealth and power are not pursued at the expense of others, but are used to uplift and serve humanity as a whole.