The Trance of Scarcity: Stop Holding Your Breath and Start Living Your Life

by Victoria Castle

Do you ever tell yourself that you’re not enough? Not smart enough, not rich enough, not good enough, not fill-in-the-blanks enough? Or do you worry that there is not not enough time, not enough money, not enough opportunity, not enough…whatever? Consciously and unconsciously, dozens of times a day, we tell ourselves that we are lacking, that our lives are lacking, that the universe is lacking. We lull ourselves into what Victoria Castle calls the “Trance of Scarcity”—a numbed state in which we’re crippled by the pervasive assumption that lack, struggle, and separation are our unavoidable fate. But what if it is the very story we tell ourselves—both as individuals and as a society—that keeps us trapped in this limited state? Here Castle shows you how to embody a new story—one that is about abundance, inspiration, and your own innate ability to create your reality. Once you break free from the Trance of Scarcity, you’ll be able to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Spirituality

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Janet K West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational. Less hype than The Secret, which made it more real to me. I loved the use of quotes throughout the book.

[Melissa Hedges- Rankin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I call this book 'walking yoga for every day life'. Helpful book,in that through it's instructional exercises, you realize how much tension we carry in our bodies every day which thus affects our external environment. Lots of great home exercises with the chapters and by consciously changing our breathing pattern as well as accentuating less tension in our shoulders, it professes we will have better outcomes with our own personal goals. One thing I did not like about this book was that it seemed it was overloaded with the author's personal stories. I would have preferred a more 'even' balance between clients and the author. Otherwise a helpful, useful book.

[Mara Vernon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book combines a little bit of a slew of concepts including brain science, law of attraction, coaching, flow, and other common leadership principles focused around abundance versus scarcity. It felt surface level to me. With a lack of source citations for statements such as, "Americans work more of the time than any nation in the world, an average of nine weeks a year more than Europeans do" (pg 104) I found myself questioning validity and wondering where things came from. I did like some of the models and structure and was wishing more time were spent within the core model versus branching out into other areas.

[Geri Degruy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book about the ways we can shape our lives toward inner abundance rather than toward the sense of not-enough. Information and stories are followed by practical exercises to help embody the learning. If you do the exercises, you'll find out more about yourself and how you're feeling about life and the stories you're telling yourself about it. And you'll see ways to be more in the flow and joy of life. This is a keeper, to be read and re-read and practiced.

[Ceci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This excellent guide to ending fearful and self-defeating stories, and embodying the mind of abundance, is a classic of the psychology of wealth. Victoria Castle's smart, funny handbook gives readers an eminently readable (illustrated!) way to change what's holding you back from expressing a life of generosity and plenty.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

It shares what we already know at our Divine core. Presented with a conversation that we can integrate into our lives. I really enjoyed. Recommended by a friend who did Om Time's YTT, where it was part of the curriculum.

[Tiffany Eckhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read in the subject. It’s like sitting in a living room chatting with a friend. Yet, some of the points in this book hit me sideways. So impactful!

[Ann Krisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that changes you as you read. Inspirational, well-explained, and tactical. I enjoyed this more than other books on manifestation and abundance that typically feel too cerebral. This is grounded and explains what it means to live abundantly through real life examples and deep understanding. I also love the tone of this book - it’s a smart, elevated read on a subject that tends to come across as oversimplified and dumbed down. The practice prompts in each chapter helps you make change in real time and really understand the lessons. I borrowed mine from the library but need to buy my own copy forsure!

[Salina Christaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is a struggle, right? That’s what I used to think, but the author convinced me that it doesn’t have to be this way. After reading the first line of the book, I realized she was right - if struggle were the way to get there, we’d all be there by now. She goes on to describe the trance of scarcity that has permeated our culture and is keeping us trapped in a cycle of suffering. She also offers a refreshingly simple antidote. If you are ready to wake up to the flow of abundance that is all around you, this book will not disappoint. It woke me up and is still waking me up!

[Kenny Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring feel good, you’re worth it book

[Eiman Farman]

DNF

[lyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main point of the book is that the experience of abundance in life depends on your psychological outlook. Castle explores the way in which personal narrative, generosity, and openness, among other concepts, influences either a sense of abundance or its opposite, scarcity and constriction. This is a wonderful perspective that psychologically complements the emerging literature of voluntary simplicity. The book would be improved by connecting the message to previous work in this area, such as Thoreau's Walden and the literature of Zen Buddhism. Seligman's work in learning optimism is mentioned only in passing, but as a research base for this line of thinking it deserves more coverage and integration. But overall this is an important book that represents an important alternative to materialism and consumerism.

[Giselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant book. Great visuals and metaphors helping us to understand immediately how we separate ourselves from our rightful seat in the scheme of life which only we can fill. As we stand outside "the circle" no one can take our place but the disconnection is what is most painful to us and all we need do is reclaim our space and breathe.

[Lori Gertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, smooth and easy to read...Many great insights to understand how we restrict ourselves from the abundance that is our birthright. simple exercises to shift the tides of that behavior into full, rich, "voluptuous" and "juicy" lives (as the author, Victoria Castle puts it).