First, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Christmas is a time for joy and giving. What better way than to spend Christmas reading a book that reinforces on the true human spirit for living?
I have just finished reading Deepak Chopra’s The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success – A Practical Guide To The Fulfilment Of Your Dreams – and would like to rate it an excellent read. This book essentially shatters the myth that success comes about because of hard work, driving ambition and detailed planning.
It tells us that we should obey the laws that exist in nature. Once we can understand our true self and live in harmony with the laws, success will flow to us effortlessly. Success can be anything from fulfiling relationships, material abundance, a great career or good health.
Here are the 7 laws laid out in the book:
1. The Law Of Pure Potentiality. This law is based on the fact that you are pure consciousness and have pure potentially. You need to discover your essential nature and who you are. When you do, you have the ability to fulfil any dreams that you have and to achieve full potentially. Experiencing the Self is from your internal reference and not from an object-referral. Self-referral means that you do not need to seek the approval of others or need to derive external power over things. There is the absence of fear, in self referral. Your power is eminent because of the knowledge of your Self.
To apply this law, to access the field of possibilities or to access the creativity that is inherent in your Self, you need to set aside time for silence, meditation and non-judgement on a daily basis.
2. The Law Of Giving. The universe is in a constant state of dynamic exchange. Giving and receiving are flows of energy that exist. So if we are willing to give what we seek, then we will be able to keep the abundance of circulation in our lives. Hence, if you would like to have more money, holding on too tightly is counter productive because money is life energy and you are interrupting its flow circulating back into your life. In essence, the more you give, the more you will receive. However, your intent behind the giving and receiving should be based on creating happiness, rather than a self serving purpose.
3. The Law Of “Karma” or Cause and Effect. What we sow is what we reap. Hence if we choose actions that bring happiness and success to others, we benefit through “karma” – receiving what we have given to others in the first place.
4. The Law Of Least Effort. For this law, three components are required: acceptance, responsibility and defenceless. You make a commitment towards accepting things as they are, not blaming others and relinquishing hte need to convince or persuade others of your point of view. You gain enormous amounts of energy when you expend little or no effort in pursuing things that do not matter. There is no struggle or any conflicts, when you simply embrace the present moment. When you remain open to all points of view, your dreams and desires will flow to you.
5. The Law Of Intention and Desire. Intention and desire in the field of pure potentiality have infinite organizing power. You can consciously change the energy and informational content of your own quantum body and therefore, influence the energy and informational content of the environment; and cause things to manifest. However, while you have an intent for the future, your attention is on the present moment. Focus your attention on “what is” and your intent for the future will manifest.
6. The Law Of Detachment. The fifth spiritual law has to be read together with the sixth law (Law of Detachment) in particular together. While you have certain intents, you have to let go of your attachment to your desired outcome. Attachment comes from poverty consciousness, because when you are attached, you are really attracted to the symbols (be it money, cars, clothes, airplanes, toys, etc.). Detachment is synonymous with wealth consciousness. When you are detached to the outcome, you experience joy and laugther. Applying this law also means that you need to thrive in uncertainty. For only in uncertainty, can you have the freedom and creativity to create anything you want.
7. The Law of “Dharma” or Purpose in Life. The Law of Dharma says that we have taken manifestation in physical form to fulfill a purpose. It is inherent in you that you have a unique talent and you use this talent better than others. When you match your needs to the creative expression of your talent, you are in the positon that creates wealth wealth and abundance. Hence, you really need to discover your true Self, your unique talents and your service to humanity – how can you help others. It is not a question of “what’s in it for me” but a true willingness to serve your fellow human beings with love and compassion.
It is not easy to digest this book. I have to re-read it several parts to gain an understanding of what the author is saying. I even spent two days discussing with my husband the true essence of what is being taught.
Clearly, what is valuable to us from reading this book, is the clear distinction between “intent” and “desire”. Intent is needed for things to manifest. Intent is desire without attachment to the outcome. Attachment will bring about suffering. Yet the application of the laws is that the attention is not about the future but in the present.
Understanding the laws is important for us to understand because while we have a long list of goals, we do not want to become attached to the results, which are often material. Our intent is best kept in the purest form, eg. “I want to help others find solutions to their problems”, rather than “I want to have that sports car so that I can show off to my neighbours”. The intent must never to harm others but to assist in the growth of the Self and/or to serve others.
Inward looking on the Self, via quiet meditation, is needed. Be comfortable in the present moment. There is no judgement while in this awareness. One is happy “as is”. Doing kind deeds is needed for the process of circulation of life energy to continue.
It is only when we truly know ourselves, and live a life that matches our purpose here on this earth, can we experience true wealth and abundance. The Seven Spiritual Laws are not just laws for success but are laws for living at the highest and most integrated level.