The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success

74 Comments

“The true standard of measurement for extraordinary outcomes
is that which brings extraordinary benefit and fulfillment
to me and to the lives of others. That’s success!“
- Steven K Scott

Yes, I experienced it, I really did; the intense feeling of true happiness and success. Not just temporarily, but extensively for an uninterrupted period of several months. This was simply the most significant ‘achievement’ of mine: finding clarity, peace and happiness in a hectic and high-demanding life. This phase took the entire first half of 2007 and I came out the other end with much insight and understanding about myself and my purpose.

I have never felt so complete and content as I did during this period. With the most rewarding being the absolute stillness I felt within myself and the understanding that we can be truly and absolutely happy with living a simple life with very little material possession. Now, if this is your first visit here, this may sound a little mystical and hand-wavy. No, I am not a hippy, nor am I religious. I am just a girl, going through life, seeking that which we are all seeking: happiness.

What is my secret to happiness and success?

The Inspirations

The catalysts which pushed me into this phase were four books, for which I am extremely grateful. These books are:

The Power of Now, By Eckhart Tolle
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, By Deepak Chopra
Ways of the Peaceful Warrior, By Dan Millman
Guaranteed Solutions, By Swami Nithyananda

I have gained so much wisdom through these books and each time I read them, it wasn’t the words which I was reading, but rather the message. The words from these pages brought me to a higher level of conscious awareness.

The Lifestyle

During the 6 months, I habituated several practices which helped me move into newer levels of understanding. My daily practices included:

Meditation - Sitting in silent and calming my mind. 20-30 minutes a sitting. Twice a day.
Listening to Meditative Music - Music have the power to shift our moods and calm our minds. I was particularly fond of Stan Richardson’s Japanese Flutes. Everyone who I’ve played it for love its calming effects.
Vegetarianism - I was a raw vegan. You can read about Steve Pavlina’s current experiment with a raw diet. I loved the new gained energy I had. I did eat cooked food when dining out, but I refrained from eating meat.
Mindfulness - I made a conscious effort to put my full awareness into anything that I was doing. Walking to work, preparing meals, eating, drinking water, listening to others talk.
Being Inspired - I spent an hour a day reading or listening to something inspirational. I even hosted a weekly Eckhart Tolle meet-up group where we watched Tolle DVDs, meditated and connected with other people. This turned out to be a deeply enriching experience.
Self Dates - I spent a lot of time with myself by myself. I overcame the need to be with other people and the fear of being alone.
Daily Focus - From “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success“, I broke the seven laws for each day of the week and focused on one each day. (more details below)
Creative Expressions - photography, drawing or writing.
Slowed Down - I stopped rushing from place to place, task to task, and started enjoying the miracles of Life; one moment at a time.

This may sound a little extreme, and I was indeed extreme. But I felt a compelling desire to do so, I felt a strong pull towards these practices, in order to satisfy a yearning from deep inside for peace, clarity and understanding.

What Is Success?

“Success in life could be defined as the continued expansion of happiness
and the progressive realization of worthy goals.
Success is the ability to fulfill your desires with effortless ease.“
- Deepak Chopra

Success is a topic I’ve spent many hours pondering and I’ve come to realize that it is so much more than just material wealth. Material wealth is only a small portion of your collective success potential. It is an experience as part of our journey as spiritual beings and yes, material wealth may make this journey more comfortable, but let’s not neglect the other dimensions of success: the success of sound physical health, fulfilling relationships, meaningful friendships, joy of self-expression, freedom from fear, the capacity to understand people and self-mastery.

Living The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

In Deepak Chopra’s book, “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success“, he gives us a spiritual look at success. You can have an extensive look at each law in his book, which goes into extensive detail. Here are the seven laws along with an example application found in the book:

1. The Law of Pure Potentiality

“The source of all creation is pure
consciousness… pure potentiality seeking expression from
the unmanifest to the manifest.

And when we realize that our
true Self is one of pure potentiality,
we align with the power that manifests everything in the universe.“

Example Application:

‘I will practice non-judgment. I will begin my day with the statement, “Today, I shall judge nothing that occurs,” and throughout the day I will remind myself not to judge.’

2. The Law of Giving

“The universe operates through dynamic exchange…
giving and receiving are different aspects of
the flow of energy in the universe.

And in our willingness to give that which we seek,
we keep the abundance of
the universe circulating in our lives.“

Example Application:

‘Wherever I go, and whoever I encounter, I will bring them a gift. The gift may be a compliment, a flower, or a prayer. Today, I will give something to everyone I come into contact with, and so I will begin the process of circulating joy, wealth and affluence in my life and in the lives of others.’
‘I will make a commitment to keep wealth circulating in my life by giving and receiving life’s most precious gifts: the gifts of caring, affection, appreciation, and love. Each time I meet someone, I will silently wish them happiness, joy, and laughter.’

3. The Law of Cause and Effect

“Every action generates a force of energy
that returns to us in like kind . .
what we sow is what we reap.

And when we choose actions that bring happiness and success to others,
the fruit of our karma is happiness and success.”

Example Application:

‘Whenever I make a choice, I will ask myself two questions: “What are the consequences of this choice that I’m making?” and “Will this choice bring fulfillment and happiness to me and also to those who are affected by this choice?”‘

4. The Law of Least Effort

“Nature’s intelligence functions with effortless ease . . .
with carefreeness, harmony, and love.

And when we harness the forces of harmony, joy, and love,
we create success and good fortune with effortless ease.“

Example Application:

‘I will practice acceptance. Today I will accept people, situations, circumstances, and events as they occur. I will know that this moment is as it should be, because the whole universe is as it should be. I will not struggle against the whole universe by struggling against this moment. My acceptance is total and complete. I accept things as they are this moment, not as I wish they were.’
‘Today my awareness will remain established in Defenselessness. I will relinquish the need to defend my point of view. I will feel no need to convince or persuade others to accept my point of view. I will remain open to all points of view and not be rigidly attached to any one of them.’

5. The Law of Intention and Desire

“Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment . . .
Intention and desire in the field of pure potentiality
have infinite organizing power.

And when we introduce an intention in
the fertile ground of pure potentiality,
we put this infinite organizing power to work for us.“

Example Application:

“I will make a list of all my desires. I will carry this list with me wherever I go. I will look at this list before I go into my silence and meditation. I will look at it before I go to sleep at night. I will look at it when I wake up in the morning.”

6. The Law of Detachment

“In detachment lies the wisdom of uncertainty . . .
in the wisdom of uncertainty list the freedom
from our past, from the known,
which is the prison of past conditioning.

And in our willingness to step into the
unknown, the field of all possibilities,
we surrender ourselves to the creative mind
that orchestrates the dance of the universe.“

Example Application:

“Today I will commit myself to detachment. I will allow myself and those around me the freedom to be as they are. I will not rigidly impose my idea of how things should be. I will not force solutions on problems, thereby creating new problems. I will participate in everything with detachment involvement.”

7. The Law of Purpose in Life

“Everyone has a purpose in life . . . a unique
gift or special talent to give to others.

And when we blend this unique talent with service to others,
we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit,
which is the ultimate goal of all goals.“

Example Application:

‘I will make a list of my unique talents. Then I will list all the things that I love to do while expressing my unique talents. When I express my unique talents and use them in the service of humanity, I lose track of time and create abundance in my life as well in the lives of others.’
‘I will ask myself daily, “How can I serve?” and “How can I help?” The answers to these questions will allow me to help and serve my fellow human beings with love.’

How to Live the Seven Spiritual Laws?

Since there are seven principles, I focussed on a different law for each day of the week. Each morning, after waking up, I would read the law for that day and go over the three applications suggested. I would go about my day with these applications in mind.

I’ve found the applications to be a powerful exercise and served as an excellent reminder for where I wanted to be. In doing so, I felt a level of calmness that cannot be expressed in words.

I used seven index cards, and wrote a law on each one, and the respective applications on the back of each card.

Download: For your conveniences, I’ve created this set of cards in digital format for you to print out and try out for yourself.
(Download DOC Format) (Download PDF Format)

Book: I highly recommend getting a copy of the book. I bought mine as a used copy from Amazon for about 50 cents.

What is your definition of Success? What has brought you the most happiness from your experience? Talk to us in the comments, we’d love to hear from you. See you there.

If you enjoyed this article, please vote for it on Digg, share it on StumbleUpon or bookmark it on del.icio.us. I appreciate your support. :)

Other Articles You May Like:

External Resources:

Audio Book: Living a Life of Inner Peace (highly recommended)
Book: Siddhartha, By Hermann Hesse
Book: Illusions, By Richard Bach
Book: A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose

74 Responses (62 Comments, 12 Trackbacks ):

Comments

Peter

Jan 16 08, 9:00 pm PST

1
Fantastic article Tina.

I must confess I have not read any Deepak Chopra, but I think I have had at least 5 people within the last month recommend him to me. He seems to have written a number of books though…. at least now I know which one to start with :)
Ivan - www.blatternet.ch

Jan 16 08, 9:23 pm PST

2
Thank you, Tina, very inspiring!
As a Christian, who takes his religion for serious (that’s not so usual [almost here in Europe]), I know all these principles in other words. But the message is the same.
It’s hard to implement and to practice these principles. But your article inspires and motivates me to continue to try and to practice! My practice is not so institutionalized like yours, so I can’t describe my best-practice. But on my way!
Raymond Chua

Jan 16 08, 9:24 pm PST

3
Hi Tina,

Thank you for the cards. I must implement at least one of the principles TODAY!

Your post blown me away. I have gained so much knowledge from your writing. You really deliver, my friend. :)

Attracting the best,
Raymond Chua

************

REPLY:

Awww, thank you Raymond. That’s so sweet. I appreciate your readership and friendship. :)

Cheers,
Tina
Lee

Jan 16 08, 9:28 pm PST

4
Hi Tina,

I really like this one. I also must say I’ve enjoyed many of your posts. You break them down so well, it’s impossible not to get something of value from your writing.

I noted your reading list, particularly as the title intrigued me. Not seeing what I thought I might see, I read on and enjoyed your post.

As for what I wondered. I’m now convinced you would also enjoy “DaVinci Decoded: Discovering the Spiritual Secrets of Leonardo’s Seven Principles” by Michael J. Gelb.

Let me know what you thought if you get to read it.

Great post, thanks!
jon

Jan 16 08, 9:41 pm PST

5
it sounds likes your period of bliss and happiness came to an end. if that’s true, then what happened?

**************

REPLY:

Hi Jon,

Great question. Several things happened: I got into a relationship, I started a business, I was getting more photography work, I started this blog. The additional load resulted in less time committed in doing the things I was doing during that period of time. I’m still happy and periodically connect with that feelings of bliss, but it’s no where near as intense of continuous.

One of my goals for this year is to simplify my life even more, to reduce some responsibilities and to start practicing some of these routines that feeds the soul, again. I’m sure you can relate with me, how things get so busy sometimes that we stop or do less of the things we should be doing (ie. exercise), and we let that excuse continue and before we know it, we’ve developed a new habit: a habit of not doing the things that’s good for us.

Thanks for this question. Part of writing this post serves as a reminder to myself, of what’s most important: my wellbeing. … and how I need to create the time to work on me. Only when I’m well, can I be of service and help to others. :)

Warmly,
Tina
Evan

Jan 16 08, 10:28 pm PST

6
the best part about this article is the opener where you say you’ve found your happiness. congratulations.

also - millman’s book is awesome. his 3rd though is much better writtem, he really improved as a writer. if you liked the 1st one, definitely check out the others.
Chris Marshall | Martial Development

Jan 16 08, 11:13 pm PST

7
So the first half of 2007 was wonderful…what happened in the second half?

**************

REPLY:

Hi Chris,

I’ve answered the same question to Jon above. :)
The second half is still wonderful, but in very different ways. In the second half, I’ve gained material success and fulfillment, I’ve developed amazing relationships (with my partner and my wonderful readers) but realized that I’m not as connected with myself spiritually. I will work on finding a good balance between the two. First, I need to reduce the load on my plate. :) I’m working on that as we speak. I will be going on a spiritual and creative sabbatical for several months very soon.

Tina
JEMi

Jan 16 08, 11:24 pm PST

8
once again with the timing Tina

before I logged onto your site, I was thinking about what it is I was looking for in my life.. how to achieve the degree of content within myself and my life that I seek

I have learned a lot thus far and I know theres so much more to learn - such as the 7 spiritual laws you listed here (thanks)

Its amazing just how much richer your life and your happiness can be when you choose to live a conscious life

Sans the vegan thing *smile* I think I’m on board.. I still strive for that balance but I’m closer
and I’ll check out these titles you mentioned .. hmm.. at some point.. my bedroom library already has an itinerary waiting for me every night

anyway, excellent posting once again

lol @ you’re not a hippie
I get it.. I feel like I need to make that disclaimer somewhere myself :)
Gamy Rachel

Jan 17 08, 12:08 am PST

9
Hi Tina,

I totally agree with your points about
Dating yourself and not rely on others to make you happy.

I have the same experience as you. When I finally broke free
from needing to be with someone to be happy and fulfilled
I cannot express how happy I am, the kind of happiness and
peace within is so good. The difference between needing and
wanting to be with someone makes such difference in my life.
Now I can want but I don’t have to need, so I can also do without.

The next point is not always rushing from one place to another,
which was my case too. Now, I have learned to be still and to be calm, and I have never felt so happy and peaceful before in my life.

I will never want to go back to my past “rush hour” life anymore.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences in these
area.

Love,
Gamy
Gala

Jan 17 08, 4:16 am PST

10
Tina, you are fantastic. I love that you write about eating raw, too — I am in transition to a raw vegan diet myself. How come you stopped doing all these things?
Lucid

Jan 17 08, 4:52 am PST

11
Good Morning Tina!!!

“I accept things as they are this moment, not as I wish they were.” This was a strong point for me. I can totally relate, and I will use this quote to further my daily awareness. It has a power that allows the release of worry!!!

Thank you and have a lovely day!!!
Todd

Jan 17 08, 5:53 am PST

12
Great stuff Tina…I recently read The Power of Now on your recommendation…and it had a very profound impact on me. I also love Deepak, have read many of his books, and have had the pleasure of meeting him.

Once you catch a glimpse of this “magic” you are referring to, it is hard to ignore and makes you want to become more and more conscious.

I recently wrote an article regarding 12 practical ways we can become more conscious, you can see here:

http://www.wethechange.com/12-easy-ways-to-become-more-conscious/

Thanks again for great piece!
Todd Goldfarb
We The Change
LittleBuddha
Jan 17 08, 6:32 am PST

13
Instead of speaking and analyzing all those things, you should better spend your time to enjoy them all.
Peace & Love Everytime
Wyatt S.

Jan 17 08, 6:59 am PST

14
Tina your writing and your picture definitely come across as you’ve found and are living great happiness, I’ve been inspired…

Last year in my attempt to simplify my life, i think the biggest move was to quit my 9-5 and starting out a new venture on my own. It is a completely a new chapter that i’m now living in and every single minute of it is filled with purpose and true direction.

When you mentioned about the content and stillness in your heart, I can definitely resonate with what you said, I hope 08 is even a greater year in your journey…

Wyatt
Steve
Jan 17 08, 7:02 am PST

15
Do we really need Deepaks brand of “opium for the people” to create happiness ? Anyone with real spiritual teachings doesn’t setup a business to spread their word. Hint - see Buddha, Jesus, Mohamed, Krishnamurti for details. If they want money, they are a fraud. Simple.

On a very different note, I have in the past undertaken a similar lifestyle and can report that I felt a deep contentment and happiness but found it all very safe and boring. Maybe some of us are addicted to the drama of discontented lives.
peter

Jan 17 08, 7:07 am PST

16
I know the first three laws, money , money , money, the other three are here, www.opentopix.com
gregory
Jan 17 08, 7:14 am PST

17
i the world of spiritual practices, these experiences happen to almost everyone, it is a great gift, and it is a phase that passes. this can be deeply regretted, confusing, or simply wistful an a bit sad. but the next phase is really wonderful, because in that, spirituality turns out to be real life.

traps? yes, possible…. trying to recapture the experiences can last for years, or taking on an identity of “being spiritual” can keep one stuck, and in some cases “being spiritual” is one of the most iron-clad defenses against transformation that one can find.

the secret? “god”, life, won’t let you stay in the same place forever, and this is often painful, and also the greatest thing about life…

so, enjoy, it is all grace, even the mundane and banal and the crap
Rob Briggs

Jan 17 08, 8:09 am PST

18
I just reread Deepak’s Success book about 3 times. I really enjoyed it. It’s very easy to read and concise. The part on nonjudgement i’ve found very usefull and challenging. I never realized how much I judged people, places, things, and situations. Now I just say “it is what it is”. In a way Im more passive now. He says why we shouldnt judge because it blocks the flow or clouds the mind which slows the flow between the self and the Self. The Bible says not to judge either, for the same purpose I believe. Anyway, the whole book is very practical.
Chris Laskey

Jan 17 08, 8:26 am PST

19
Thank you for making the cards, they’re printing as I write.

Somewhere in the transition from college to career, I lost site of meditation and spiritual mindfulness. I’m glad to have found your article, it inspired me to sit down and meditate for the first time in over a year.

For the last four months I’ve made a habit of writing down goals for life, the year, month, week, and day, and turning them into small positive mantra’s in the morning. The only thing missing was a reminder of spiritual mindfulness, an infusion of thoughts focused on that which is greater than myself. I’m glad I’ve found a way to start!

As for your question about success,

“Success in life could be defined as the _continued expansion_ of happiness and the _progressive realization_ of worthy goals.
Success is the ability to fulfill your desires with effortless ease.“

For me it is not the attainment of desires, but the progression towards it. A progression of sound mind, body, and soul.

Chris

“Each time I meet someone, I will silently wish them happiness, joy, and laughter.”
Etavitom

Jan 17 08, 9:22 am PST

20
Profound Stuff! I had the honor of speaking to Dr. Chopra recently and it was truly amazing… Best, Brad
srikanth
Jan 17 08, 10:05 am PST

21
This is the first time I am reading your blog and I loved every bit of it. It has sown the seeds of self-improvement inside me. I will make all the effort towards it.

Thanks for that fabulous article.

Great blog!!! :)
carter
Jan 17 08, 10:26 am PST

22
* I Hope this helps,

The Transitive Property of Equality:

If A=B and B=C then A=C

If GOD is LOVE
And Hell is the absence of GOD,
Then Hell is the absence of LOVE.

BUT…

GOD is Omnipresent
and GOD is LOVE.
Therefore LOVE is Omnipresent.
And where there is LOVE,
HELL cannot exist,
Because Hell is the absence of LOVE.

GOD is LIGHT

God is Omnipresent
Therefore Light is Omnipresent
Therefore Darkness cannot exist,
Lest it be in our MINDS.

“Let there be light”
Nando

Jan 17 08, 10:39 am PST

23
Great post. Mr. Chopra e Mr. Tolle are doing a great missionary work of wisdom communication and they’re always an inspiring source for our practical living towards a better being. The “example” words you wrote are specially useful to understand some concepts that may be hard to understand at first. Thank you, Tina.
islam

Jan 17 08, 11:55 am PST

24
thanks for sharing this article. you can find the islamic perspective here:

www.theislamicdirectory.com
John Rocheleau - Artist

Jan 17 08, 12:42 pm PST

25
Tina, I am glad that you wrote this post, even though you are a little tentative :-)

It is so important for people to discover the power that waits for them in meditation and the other avenues of practice and thought that you describe.

There is such calm acceptance, understanding, and happiness inside each of us. It simply awaits our discipline to discover it and to allow to to emerge. I have used Chi Gung and Meditation as tools to explore life, for over 20 years. It has been a journey of immense power and discovery, albeit with traps and dangerous crossings. But to me, it is the only path to unconditional happiness of such intensity and depth.

I want to also say that straying off the path is often a difficult and painful, but necessary part of the journey (been there big-time). If that describes anyone out there, don’t be too hard on yourself, but have faith that you can get right back on track. It’s all there waiting for you.

John
Allen
Jan 17 08, 1:15 pm PST

26
Aloha Y’all,

I found Tina’s article through digg.com. Tina, you’re describing a state which I also called Well Being. My experience in Well Being lasted for 6 weeks from December 1984 into January 1985.

In 1995 I created a website describing my experience from start to finish. I wanted to find others who had similar experiences so I advertised the site in various talk forums.

In the website I defined Well Being to include a number of traits. The only required trait was the first:

When you ask yourself, “Who am I?” The response you feel from within yourself elicits the following words:
“I am the peace that passes all understanding and I am the love that passes all understanding.”

As gregory indicated these experiences usually occur in phases. I left Well Being because I was unable to resolve a situation where a person was very afraid of me when I showed and felt only good will toward him. After I returned to “normal” I felt like I had lost the most incredible lover I had ever known. I decided I would never allow myself to enter Well Being again unless I knew I would never leave Well Being.

Then in the summer of 1996 I discovered I could choose to enter that state of grounded euphoria for just a few minutes at a time. Since 1996 I’ve been in that state thousands of times. By choice I don’t go there much anymore. This past year I’ve entered that state unintentionally while describing it.

Of the four books Tina mentioned in the beginning I’ve read all but “Guaranteed Solutions”. Let me add one to the top of her list:
“The Endorphin Effect” by William Bloom.

Bloom’s book provides simple easy to do techniques available to virtually everyone. His techniques enable a person to enter the “grounded euphoria” state within a minute of deciding to do so.

I have lived “The Lifestyle” Tina describes. I’m not very interested in “success”. Over time I’ve found Deepak’s “laws” to be aspects of ourselves. Spiritually, I’m only interested in principles which apply to daily life.

Finally, a brief note on “The Power of Now” and Eckhart Tolle. After I read his book I googled him. I found a statement by him which highlighted the primordial flaw in the book and his perspective. He said that after he has been on the road for quite a while giving talks and workshops, he will feel himself lapsing back and realize he needs to go home and return to hermit mode to replenish himself.

Eckhart needs to read “The Endorphin Effect” then he would not require “hermit” mode. From the description on page 1 of “The Power of Now” he entered the state through grace. In the rest of the book he tried to explain the state and how to get to it. Understanding is impossible because understanding is a function of thought. Knowledge is a function of experience. You can know what you think, but you cannot think what you know.

The sole value of his book, for me, is to read the experiences of yet another person who has spend a good deal of time in a state of grace. You could spend a lifetime following his suggestions in “The Power of Now” and never get to that state of grace.

Or you can spend an hour reading Bloom’s book or talking with someone like me and get there today. This isn’t an advertisement for Bloom or me. I don’t do anything for money except breath. It’s an advertisement for you to quickly experience the “grounded euphoria” already resident within yourself.
jilberto
Jan 17 08, 1:20 pm PST

27
Im sorry but I dont believe this works. I think you just end-up isolating yourself from others and turns you into a non-action person. I had this lifestyle for many years and I got fed-up. This is not compatible with the western lifestyle where you have to pretty much stay proactive.

cheers!
Aidan Rogers - SEO

Jan 17 08, 6:00 pm PST

28
Interesting article - not sure i agree with it all though as in with the whole karma aspect - Horrible things still happen to good people regardless. Still well written though - seems to be a reoccurring pattern I many of the books I have read on this subject.
Abdifatah Suleiman Musse
Jan 17 08, 6:20 pm PST

29
Tina, thank you so much for the service for humanity, Your teachings will make our world a better place to live in, thank you so much once again for the excellent guidance to a successful life, Peace and security.
Tom Stine
Jan 18 08, 7:44 am PST

30
Very nice post, Tina. You very succinctly explained Deepak’s book.
Lise

Jan 20 08, 2:07 am PST

31
Hey Tina, an absolutely inspiring post.

I’ve just gone to get Deepak’s book out of my library for another look, ta for reminding me of it and I’m printing out the pdf as well.

What first grabbed me was your mention of Eckhart Tolle’s POWER OF NOW. That book was a huge eureka in my life. You know when you think you know it all and really you know nothing? That book did that for me. I’d seen it on the bestseller’s lists for sometime but the title seemed simple and easy, and when I finally read it was in a daze for weeks. It was the next step I needed to take but had been resisting it. Others that did that were Seth Speaks by Jane Roberts and How to Heal Your Life by Louise Hay.

Anyways Tina, your post gave a great insight into your practice and your experience, I just love that, thank you so much for your wonderful warm personal posts and I loved reading about your life and what you’re doing, its an inspiration (Amazon, oh the miles of books!) and I have to say I adore your little Tommy the pom, he is such a darling so squeezable!

Warm grateful wishes from Oz
Lise x
Jorge
Jan 22 08, 11:55 am PST

32
In a single word MASTERFUL!
Robert @ reason4smile

Jan 22 08, 2:47 pm PST

33
The one that struck me the most is the Principle of Detachment, your statement here really wakes me up =)
“I will allow myself and those around me the freedom to be as they are. I will not rigidly impose my idea of how things should be. I will not force solutions on problems, thereby creating new problems.”

I’m coordinating a church library right now, and few times, I find myself as a very rigid, I don’t want to see as being indecisive, hence I’m trying to impose my idea very much even when it’s illogical. I guess, looking at the big picture will help, not to be too rigid with life.

Learn to detach from our ego!

Thanks Tina, great post as usual!
Robert
Life Life Life

Jan 23 08, 8:59 am PST

34
Well, this is a long article. I must admit I did not read every line :-) Did everybody read everyline? I just skimmed it thru. Honestly, what is being said here is nothing new.

I have read many self improvement or relationship or happiness books. It’s all easier said than done. If you’re in the pain, you will never know what pain is. So-called laws of this or that just don’t exist in actual life. If so, life is really complicated and theoretical. It’s supposed to be simple! Being metaphysical just drives people away from being in touch with reality..

Sorry I have said something that may seem a bit negative, but I guess life is full of positive and negative. That’s why it’s called life.
Liara Covert

Jan 25 08, 7:22 pm PST

35
Hi Tina,
You mention in this article that you’re “seeking happiness.” I’m grateful that you choose to share phases in this personal journey on this blog. You clearly enjoy exploring source of meaning in your existence. Blog readers benefit from your energetic and uplifting outlook.

As for me, I have evolved to think happiness isn’t something that can be pursued, sought or found outside myself. Its more of a feeling of contentment I can tap into whenever I choose, regardless of my external conditions or, what I’m experiencing and learning otherwise. I don’t have to be meditating, in a suspended state of animation or visiting a particular place. I don’t have to be eating a specific food or spending time with another physical person. Happiness is just innate.
Summy

Jan 26 08, 6:54 pm PST

36
Inspiring post.

I think you alluded to one of the most important aspects of success “enjoy”.

At Success Making Machine there is a simple rule for enjoying more:
Do more of what you like and less of what you don’t.
Charles Hamel

Jan 27 08, 5:54 pm PST

37
You are truly on the path to enlightenment. The higher you raise your vibrational level the more of the same you will attract into your life.

This was a great article that touched on all aspects of your life, and creates a nice outline for others to follow.

Thanks
John Koetsier

Jan 30 08, 12:11 am PST

38
Nice post. A couple of thoughts that struck me as I saw a few things:

“Success is the ability to fulfill your desires with effortless ease.“
- Deepak Chopra

This really strongly contrasts with John Wooden’s definition of success:

“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.”

Personally, I think the effortless ease part is shallow nonsense. I acknowledge that we too often needlessly complicate our lives, our relationships, and many other things … but things that are worth having are not easy. Anyone over the age of 35 who has done some hard thinking in life can attest to that. And in fact in your case it took a fairly intense study series and commitment of time, energy, and focus.

. . .
. . .

One thing that I wonder about:

“Part of writing this post serves as a reminder to myself, of what’s most important: my wellbeing. … and how I need to create the time to work on me. Only when I’m well, can I be of service and help to others.”

I’m glad you added the second sentence. But what’s most important is very often NOT my own wellbeing, but the wellbeing of others or doing what is right, not just what is best for me. That’s the hard part about doing the right thing … it’s not always in your own immediate best interest.

The funny thing is that doing what is right, and putting others first at least part of the time is much more likely to result in wellbeing for yourself than an internal “me” focus.

That’s the “secret” of success … it’s a byproduct, not a goal in itself.
CatherineL

Jan 30 08, 3:11 am PST

39
Hi Tina - I like your description of the book. It has inspired me to read it.

As for success, it’s quite difficult to define. It’s often our small successes that we remember the most isn’t it? And it’s often the small things we do for others that mean the most too.

I don’t think any of us really know what our purpose is on earth, if we even have one at all, which makes it more difficult to achieve our full potential. So, we can only really guess what we’re here for, set our goals accordingly and hope we get it right.
Jezreel Pigott

Jan 30 08, 10:44 pm PST

40
Hello Tina:

I must say you have an incredible way of communicating your emotional experiences with others and its really a treasure to indulge in every word of your expressive style. I’ve recently started a blog of my own and I have been looking at other blogs to see how they induce and share the feeling that they hold inside when writing and sharing their experiences to others and you by far have humbled any of the others I have seen ( I’ve read alot of them). You give an almost carbon copy experience of the entire moment in your descriptions and it comes quite easily apparently when you speak ( that is how I read, I see the speaker (or writer per se) and subscribe to their emotional feed) and you have done an exemplary job of relaying what you feel through words. I commend what you’ve done here and I congratulate your success. Keep up the fantastic work and I will keep on reading.
Helene

Feb 04 08, 9:36 am PST

41
Hi Tina,

I read your article on Problogger.net and stopped by to visit and subscribe to your feed - ask and ye shall receive! Given your wild success and following, I am putting it out on the Internet waves that I welcome and appreciate your help in spreading the word about my website and blog, The Modern Woman’s Divorce Guide - http://themodernwomansdivorceguide.com - which is a free online resource for women in divorce.

All visitors are welcome.
Namaste,
Helene
jd

Feb 08 08, 12:52 am PST

42
Tina - Nice writeup!

I haven’t read Deepak’s books, but I heard him in an interview once. I remembering him saying something along the lines of he can tell whether somebody is going to “make it” regarding cancer or heart-disease by asking them two questions:
1. what’s their purpose?
2. how happy are they with their job?

It made me seriously rethink how important it is to either love what you do, or do what you love.
Nick Grimshawe

Feb 10 08, 10:17 pm PST

43
I loved this post. My hat is off to you in the way you wrote the article, how you offered a tool for us to use too. That was brilliant and gave me an idea for my own blog.

I will be looking for the books you named. I have been reading alot of inspirational material and its great to have recommendations of others to read. I just finished Buddha by Deepak Chopra. I have bookmarked you too. So I can follow along on your interesting post.

Thanks

Nick
Jonathan
Feb 13 08, 4:12 pm PST

44
This is one of the most insightful books I have ever read. I especially like the way it is broken down into actionable items.

Great post Tina, you summed Deepak’s work up very well. I think carrying around the cards is a great idea too, perhaps I will make some myself. =)
Olga

Feb 28 08, 9:44 am PST

45
The Law of Cause and Effect, No. 3, is indeed one of the most fundamental laws in nature (for instance it is a basic law in physics), but many fail to see that the same law is at work in other areas of everyday life (in the society for example) . And, of course, as you point out, it is one of the most fundamental spiritual law as well.
Nate
Mar 20 08, 9:13 am PDT

46
If you like Deepak Chopra and the 7 laws, then you will love Wayne Dyer.

His two books/audio books:Manifest Your Destiny: The Nine Spiritual Principles for Getting Everything You Want & Meditations for Manifesting.

The second are especially excellent meditation exercises for instilling Gratitude and envisioning your day. Very powerful.

I got both of these from my public library and listen to them almost daily (and I rarely have the patience to reread books or see movies twice)

Kudos, keep up the spiritual journey, your sharing is important to us1
Peter John Stubbs
Apr 08 08, 4:39 am PDT

47
8 April 2008

Dear All

On today’s showing of a live daily (monday-friday) current affairs discussion programme that I watch on British television one of the topics was “success and selfishness”.

For me success is enjoying every day in some simple way, be content, grateful and appreciative of all your possessions, being respected, having good morals, ethics, principles, good manners, respect for everyone and everything (sometimes it is hard to be respectful to some others when they possess unreasonable behaviour e.g. committing serious crimes, vandalism, irresponsible/unsocial behaviour and actions).

Fail to understand why many people are entrapped in the rat-race, a materialistic and commercial world, obsessed with money and power. They are shallow, self absorbed, rude, arrogant, aggressive, have highly inflated egos and deluded living in their unreal (unknown to them) world.

For me personally the most precious possession is “being me”, being a decent human being, helping others when I can, caring about others and numerous very serious/important issues like “binge drinking” for example. It is truly so sad and tragic that many are participating in this awful destructive (financially and healthwise) so called epidemic.

With sincere best wishes.

Peter

A very wise man of 59 years.

Bournemouth
Dorset (County)
England
UK
fiona

Apr 13 08, 5:14 am PDT

48
Thanks for the post. It is inspiring. I agree acheiving success is just another beginning to another level.
Gavin
Apr 21 08, 3:23 pm PDT

49
Wonderful post, thank you.
Ovidia

Jun 22 08, 1:07 am PDT

50
Hello, I don’t know if it’s too late to digg vote (will try later) but wanted to say ‘thank you’ very much for this post.
Today I saw the Deepak Chopra book & thought, ‘I can’t afford this’ then chanced on your site & now I will work on your cards & then go back next week and get the book.
Thank you.
kannan viswagandhi

Jun 23 08, 7:31 pm PDT

51
Hi Tina,

Excellent article.
Thanks for the separate pdf.
I have seen several of deepak chopra’s interviews and read his articles but i didn’t read any of his books.
The seven laws would be helpful to anyone to become a successful person.
The law of giving,the law of cause and effect,the law of intention and desire and the law of purpose look familiar than the others.
Thanks for sharing.

Best Wishes,
Kannan Viswagandhi
http://www.growing-self.blogspot.com
Nathalie Lussier

Sep 04 08, 9:14 am PDT

52
I was just browsing through your archives, and wow. The PDF is a great accompaniment to the book. I have read a few of Deepak’s books and I love them!

Sometimes my boyfriend tells me I’m too extreme, too. He tries to be the rock that doesn’t move with the tide. I just go with the flow, and if that means trying something new and “different” (i.e. raw veganism) than that’s fine by me.

Thanks again for the great article.
vinit
Oct 21 08, 12:36 pm PDT

53
please send to my mail-id main point of above topic.
Allen Loomis

Oct 27 08, 5:18 am PDT

54
Great Article, I consider myself a student of these principles aswell.
Success is there for everyone aslong as they are ready to go and get it.

I read your blog often, and always agree with your articles. Great Stuff :)

Please check out my website
http://www.thelawofsuccess.blogspot.com

Thanks in advance
Very Truly Yours
Allen Loomis
Allen Loomis

Oct 30 08, 8:18 pm PDT

55
Great Blog, I read it often. I to consider myself a student of the law of success. Keep up the great effort and the hard work. We all appreciate it.

Check out my blog if your interested :)
www.thelawofsuccess.blogspot.com
Nicholas Powiull

Nov 02 08, 5:59 am PST

56
Everything in the universe follows these laws of success. No wonder they are successful for us too :) For example, these laws work on a cell level. Every cell in our body follows these laws.

Here is a list of empowered peoples qualities that compares to cells:

1. Cells have a higher purpose.

Their purpose is to serve the body as a whole under any circumstance. This is their number one priority. Their individual wellbeing comes second. Selfishness is not an ability they possess.

This is also the purpose of empowered people, they seek to serve humanity as a whole. They do not see things in concepts of accidents or coincidences. They realize everything is synchronized with purpose. They are not surprised when the information they seek comes to them, when the possession they desired shows up, or when someone they have being thinking about calls.

2. Cells do not plan ahead, they do what needs to be done in the moment.

They survive by knowing that whatever they need, the body will supply what they need, as they serve the body. Literally, through medical research, the cell only stores 3 seconds of oxygen and food supply in the cell wall.

Empowered ones live in a state of serving the whole and trust that the universe will supply their needs, by serving their purpose.

3. Cells work with all other cells and see all cells as part of the whole.

Every cell has a purpose, therefore every cell is important, significant, and has a reason for being.

Empowered people do not judge others and see everyone as equal human beings.

4. The essence of a cells nature is to give.

Every cell in the human body is always giving and as a result all the cells maintain every other cell, making the process of receiving automatically produced.

Empowered people give everything of themselves to provide value to everyone on the planet. Since they are willing to give and are committed in giving everything, they receive the same value back. You must give value first in order to attain value.

5. Cells listen to the body through many devices, but the most common is through a chemical reaction. This chemical reaction tells them exactly what to do in order to serve the body.

Empowered people always listen to the chemical reactions of their emotions. They use their emotions as a guide to know if they are in an empowered state. If they are feeling lower energies of frustration, pessimism, negativity, annoyance, depression, etc, then they know they are not aligned with empowerment or the universe.

Being aligned means they only feel positive emotions. They always follow with their emotions. They do not live their life by “shoulds”, “shouldn’ts”, or “have tos”. They flow with emotions. If something is stressful, they leave immediately. If they are unhappy with something, they analyze what’s making them unhappy: their thoughts, words, or actions to a given thing. Then they do whatever it takes to correct the problem, in order to align themselves back with empowerment.

6. Cells are always changing, evolving, and adapting to the conditions of the body.

The human body can eat something never digested before and still manage to succeed. The cells do not reject anything just because it is new, the cell will not hang on to old behavior patterns.

Empowered people go with the flow of the universe. If the evolving universe changes, empowered people change with it. No matter how fearful, unknown, or wrong it may seem. Something new will always seem wrong at first, because you never tried it before.

Empowered people trust that the universe knows something that they do not. They have no fears of the future because they know they create the future in the now. Right now they are empowered and therefore they are creating empowered experiences.

7. Cells have an instinct to know that they are going to die.

In order to keep the commitment of serving the body, they naturally reproduce. Through the reproduction process: the knowledge, wisdom, information, skills, talents, and ability to be the most effective cell possible, is transferred to their offspring. Cells survived and got to the point they are at (820 million years of evolution) through this process.

Empowered people empower their offspring by eliminating the generation gap. In this, they are accepting their physical death, but at the same time creating immortality.

8. Cells desire what other cells desire.

If the body desires something, all the cells desire it to. In meeting the bodies desires (by being committed to the bodies needs), the cells automatically meet theirs.

Empowered people desire for others, what they desire for themselves. For example, I desire for everyone on this planet to be happy, the only way to be happy is through positive thinking because I know it leads to positive beings of empowerment.

I desire this for everyone, hence I wrote an article on how to do just that and in turn it makes me happy knowing that others have the potential of being happy. By meeting your desire, my desire is met. I desire for you, what you desire for you.

9. Cells do not have the ability to rationalize that something is impossible.

Their main concern is the wellbeing of the body and if the body needs/desires something, then they intend and attend to that desire by paying attention to it. They know that if the body needs/desires something then they have the ability to give it just that, or the need/desire would not be there in the first place. They have nothing to prove, they just follow their purpose.

Empowered people intend their needs/desires to happen. They apply success by having a conviction point of view that nothing is impossible. They do not allow themselves to think about what they do not desire to happen, since they realize that thinking that way leads to pessimism and thinking pessimistic only leads to more things to be pessimistic about.

The empowered have nothing to prove to anybody. They do not give their point of view unless asked. They do not argue, debate, or converse in lower energies of this type. They know that getting involved in this kind of conversations leads to frustration and they seek to stay aligned with empowerment.

10. Cells do not take anything for granted.

When they see bacteria, they see an opportunity to determine rather it is invading or helpful. No matter what position the cells are in, they always see an opportunity to meet the cells or the bodies needs/desires.

To the empowered everything in their life is seen as an opportunity, even the setbacks, obstacles, and delays. They are grateful for everything because they realize that there is an opportunity in everything. For example, the setback may lead them to meeting the right person to help them achieve something.

Thank you again Tina for living consciously and flexing your consciousness :)
Esther J Cepeda

Feb 16 09, 6:29 pm PST

57
Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing the cards, I so appreciate them.
Fae
Apr 02 09, 3:57 am PDT

58
What is a ‘Line of Balance’

Hi,

I found this picture whilst browsing the internet:

http://cid-adebcb5f70ecb7c7.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Inspiration/Charlie%7C_YinYang%7C_LineOfBalance.jpg

I realise that I am a bit thick, but how come this symbol has been around for thousands of years and no-one

has come up with this before?

Thanks,

Fae
Simon
Apr 25 09, 10:59 pm PDT

59
Tina,

Thank you for your fabulous blog. I have really enjoyed listening to Deepaks audio of the 7 Laws.
I really enjoy his voice and would recommend it to anyone !
Keep up the good work.

Simon
Jaqueline Rain Brathwaite

May 15 09, 1:04 pm PDT

60
Living in harmony with ones self is as hard as one allows it to be. We all tend to beat our selves up at feeling like we have not done enough.

Time seems to perpetuate at a rate which does not allow us to formulate all the thoughts that race through our minds in each waking moment.

But who has all the answers? I can tell you this, there are many answers out there but how do you know it is the correct one for you?

We are each individuals, with individual habits and patterns and yet we live in a society that demands we follow the masses!

Too many today struggle with getting ahead; making money, juggling a career, paying bills, raising a family and keeping up with the Jones’s’! Let’s face it we are all living in the circus ring of life.

Everyone either is performing in center ring or off to the side trying not to get eaten by the tigers, lions or bears, and most certainly not stepped on by elephants!

Then there are the ones up in the stands; sitting up there watching from the bleachers as the ones down below entertain them!

Almost a year ago I shut down; I gave up my home, car and job and just started walking! Then as it got cold outside I locked myself in the room I was staying in and said very little to anyone person.

I left center ring!

My sense of awareness only heightened! So once again I began to talk to people, but this time on the internet like I did before my sudden need to shut down and as I helped those who stumbled along my path I asked nothing, ok I asked them to; do something nice for a perfect stranger and this was my way for a little while out from the masses!

This was safe, as I was hidden behind my screen; I could shut my laptop down when others became to close.

You see I have some sort of gift of awareness that allows me to see things in others that only they should know. OK! There I said it out loud!

This gift was practically beaten out of me as a child and growing up I simply learned how to keep it to myself!

I’m still trying to keep it to myself and now I’m a grown; divorced, mother of two young adults.

But I also know that what happens to us as a child can be given peace as an adult!

I left that room a few short months ago and moved about an hour out of the city and in with a man I loved from the very second I herd his voice on the phone.

Now after a bit of happiness, joy, turmoil and then joy which only turned back into to turmoil he wants me to go!

I have no job, no real place to go or no means on how I am going to get there and you know something I should be sad, very unhappy and full of further turmoil but im not!

I guess in keeping with my circus theme, even the ones off to the sidelines of the ring, standing around with their shovels and large pans and pails scooping up the poop from the animals have their own brand of misery.

So what makes me any different I ask?

I went into my room closed the door and sat for a few hours in an upright position, with my legs crossed and my arms loose in front of me and saw nothing until the pure calm.

That was last week and I am still of the same mind set!

The only difference is as I seek answers to how to proceed somehow; job hunting through Craig’s list, researching ways to locate an answer. I find myself at your website!

I have no phone, no car, and no money to get from point A to point B. Hell! Right now the circus is looking pretty good!

I do however, have skills, I am a gifted artist and published
writer; I won a few awards in University, and although I am pretty much stuck up here amongst the trees; far from much of anything.

I know that I will find away to get out of here, finish my book and rejoin the living.

I just wanted to say although I cannot at this time afford any of your CD’s I now have something further to set my goals upon!

Please understand I am not asking for help that came from the second I crossed my legs and closed my eyes and meditated.

Your website simply synchronicitaly (and I believe) spiritually reiterated what I already knew when I opened my eyes once again; that stress is only given life in the absence of the time it takes to locate the power from with.

Well I spent the afternoon reading all that your website offered and I wanted to say thank you, for now and for my future!

jrain
scott
May 18 09, 5:58 pm PDT

61
Hi Tina… I like some of the applications you used, especially the meditation for 20 minutes a day twice a day. However the desire thing always throws me. Your list of desires seems to contradict the one below it where you say you let things be as they appear. (I’m paraphrasing) I have read that the Buddha said desire is the root of suffering and Byron Katie also seems to speak this same message. And desires are future based and Eckhart Tolle speaks only of the “Now”. I wonder what you and the others will say about this.
Kaushik

May 19 09, 2:14 am PDT

62
These are great insights, but I suggest something very different and much easier. Find the inner peace within you, the flow, and life lives itself harmoniously and abundantly. There is no need then to analyze and memorize and use index cards for seven laws or the ten commandments or Buddhist precepts; in fact, with great relief you will find there is no need for external authorities at all.

Your Thoughts?

Add A Comment

We'd love to hear them! Please share:

Trackbacks (12)

Dating Advice and Tips | The place for dating advice and tips - Jan 17 08
Support this story on Stirrdup - Jan 17 08
Crooked Press » links for 2008-01-18 - Jan 17 08
blatternet.ch » Links der Woche - 19. Januar 2008 - Jan 18 08
The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success | web500 - Jan 19 08
My Loco World - Blog Archive » Finding Happiness - Jan 21 08
Carnival of Positive Thinking - Feb 03 08
Meditation, Yoga & Spiritual Growth Carnival- Edition #16 - Apr 02 08
Carnival of Nourishment - Apr 05 08
The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success « Mohammad Syahrial - Apr 21 08
Study Matrix Blog - Success Secrets of Achievement | Mind Map - Jun 15 08
I Know The Best Tool To Achieve Your GOALS In Life. (AMAZING!) - Nov 20 08

Think Simple Now. A Blog on Creativity, Productivity, and Happiness.

The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success

74 Comments

The Inspirations

The Lifestyle

What Is Success?

Living The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

How to Live the Seven Spiritual Laws?

74 Responses (62 Comments, 12 Trackbacks ):

Comments

Your Thoughts?

Add A Comment

Trackbacks (12)

Reader Favorites

Latest Posts

Categories

My Sites

Other Featured Sites

Top Commentators

What I'm Reading Now

Recently Read

Must Read Books