By David Nichtern
We live in a world that often asks us to choose—between our creative passion and financial stability, between spiritual depth and worldly engagement. But in my experience as a meditation teacher, musician and entrepreneur, I’ve come to believe that these aspects of our lives are served by the same core principles and can actually nourish each other. Meditation has been the foundation of my life for over five decades. I began practicing in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition under the guidance of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and from those teachings I learned that mindfulness is not meant to be kept separate from the rest of life. It’s not just what we do on a cushion for 20 minutes in the morning. It’s how we relate to everything—our art, our work, our relationships, even our bank accounts.
This is the central premise of my book Creativity, Spirituality & Making a Buck. It’s a guide for integrating these three seemingly disparate threads into one cohesive, authentic life. I’ve spent my career moving between music studios and meditation halls, business meetings and dharma talks. What I’ve seen, time and again, is that when we bring awareness and intention into all aspects of life, the boundaries between them begin to dissolve.
Creativity can come from struggle and confusion, but it also flourishes in a mind that is spacious and clear. Meditation can help us transform the inner noise and self-judgment that so often block creative flow. When we’re grounded in awareness, we can access spontaneous inspiration more freely and execute our ideas with greater precision.
Spirituality, at its core, is about connection—seeing through the illusion of separateness, and realizing the interdependence of all things. That recognition isn’t just philosophical; it’s practical. It changes how we conduct ourselves in business, how we treat our colleagues and clients, and how we define success. From a spiritual perspective, making a buck isn’t about greed; it’s about energy exchange, about participating in the world with integrity and compassion.
And yes, money matters. It’s an important part of the ecosystem of our lives. But when we earn and spend consciously—when we align our livelihood with our values—money becomes a tool for manifesting a creative life rather than a source of stress and imbalance.
The path we teach at Dharma Moon isn’t about escaping the world. It’s about showing up fully, with clarity, humor and heart. Whether you’re writing a song, starting a business or just trying to stay present during your morning commute, mindfulness can be your compass.
Ultimately, creativity, spirituality and making a buck aren’t three different roads—they’re one path. And when we walk it with awareness, we find that life itself can be our most cherished work of art. dharmamoon.com