Gayle HRj and I were driving to our Spring shows in Maryland the other day. Being I had his attention for our eight hour drive (after we listened to three hours of sports radio!), I decided to play a book on Audible that I’ve been trying desperately to get him to read.
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams – by Deepak Chopra.
For those who have read this book – I see your dreamy smile as you remember the amazing offering of wisdom Deepak gives us in this easy to read book.
For those who have not read this book – you must.
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success are just what they claim to be – a thoughtful and thought filled set of ‘laws’ that, if followed, lead you to fulfillment of all the dreams you have in your life.
Amazing, right??
But sometimes I find that the mention of spiritual, or Deepak Chopra, or fulfillment of your dreams sounds a bit ‘woo woo’ to some people.
My husband included.
So I decided to do what I enjoy most – break down these spiritual woo woo sounding laws into very practical terms. After all, fulfilling your dreams is a MUST! But sometimes we need to be fed the stuff that’s good for us in a form that is more pleasing to us.
Like eating arugula. Many people think arugula is a really fancy lettuce that they definitely don’t want to eat – until they realize that they can put arugula on a pizza. And it tastes good.
So let’s break down these seven laws into manageable pizza sized bites.
1. The Law of Pure Potentiality“Pure potentiality is pure consciousness; it is the field of all possibilities and infinite creativity…A field of silent, unmoving awareness from which anything is possible.”
Practically speaking? Anything is possible. When you step away from the conditioning of the world around you and truly let your mind be clear, you then have the capability to imagine all that you could possibly do.
Ponder the possibilities! And ask yourself, why not?
2. The Law of Giving“Life is a constant flow of giving and receiving; this flow prevents stagnancy and breathes meaning into your world.” Practically speaking? Be nice to others and enjoy the feeling when they are nice to you.
Smile at someone. Leave a good tip for your diner waitperson. Enjoy a hug from a loved one. Let’s all just try being nice to each other.
3. The Law of “Karma” or Cause and Effect”You and I are essentially infinite choice-makers. In every moment of our existence, we are in that field of all possibilities where we have access to an infinity of choices. Some of these choices are made consciously, while others are made unconsciously. But the best way to under- stand and maximize the use of karmic law is to become consciously aware of the choices we make in every moment.”
Practically speaking? You have the ability to chose your reaction to any situation that comes your way. Choose wisely and nicely, and good things will come back your way. Choose reactionary and angry and, well, Karma is a bitch.
4. The Law of Least Effort”Today I will accept people, situations, circumstances, and events as they occur….Having accepted things as they are, I will take responsibility for my situation and for all those events I see as problems.. I will relinquish the need to defend my point of view.”
Practically speaking? Stop making everything so hard for yourself and others! Stop blaming others for your situation. Stop trying to get everyone to agree with you. Things can be a lot easier than we make them if we simply step out of the need to make everything happen the way we want. (You may want to re-read that sentence – it really makes a ton of sense.)
5. The Law of Intention and Desire”Attention energizes, and intention transforms.”
Practically Speaking? Write down your desires (attention) then start making a to do list to move in that direction (intention).
I want to go to Bali. I want to stay in a luxury hut over the water eating amazing food served to us by butlers while we sip champagne on our deck watching the sunset. (attention)
I will put aside $50/month in a fund to get there. Eventually that money will transform into a trip to Bali. Or something better! I’m open to either. (intention)
6. The Law of Detachment”The Law of Detachment says that in order to acquire anything in the physical universe, you have to relinquish your attachment to it. This doesnt mean you give up the intention to create your desire. You dont give up the intention, and you dont give up the desire. You give up your attachment to the result.”
Practically Speaking? Don’t get overly attached to a specific result from your desire – because something different may come along that might actually be better!
See my intention above regarding Bali. I want to go!
I’m saving money. BUT – if in a few years from now our friends come to me and Rj and say, “Hey! We’re thinking of chartering a sail boat and sailing around the Greek Islands for three weeks. Wanna come?” Heck YEAH! Bali money will be redistributed to sailing with friends in the Greek Islands.
This law has been one that Rj and I have to live by in the self employment world. We have very specific ideas about how to build our business – but if one track fails, instead of packing it all up and going back to our corporate jobs, we need to realize that there are many other tracks to follow (see the Law of Pure Potentiality!). Detach from the outcome, and ultimately the right outcome will happen.
7. The Law of Dharma – or Purpose in Life”Discover your divinity, find your unique talent, serve humanity with it, and you can generate all the wealth that you want.”
Practically Speaking? Work is never considered ‘work’ if you love what you do. Rj and I are banking on this one (literally and figuratively!).
There you have it! I highly encourage you to read this book because I promise, I did not do the quick snippets of highly evolved material justice. But if you don’t read the full book (or listen to the book on audible because Deepak Chopra has a very soothing delivery), I hope I have provided you some thinking material for your approach to your life, your hopes, your dreams, your desires.
Because these seven laws, while deemed spiritual, are actually a very practical roadmap to whatever you define in your life as ‘success’.
Gayle H
1 comment