I’ve come to really value Deepak Chopra’s spiritual leadership on a number of issues and recently caught a PBS special of his titled “The Seven Laws of Success” that I found powerful and helpful and hopefully you will too.
Many of us grew up with the belief that achieving success requires lots of hard work, will power, and ambition. As a result, we may have strived for years and possibly reached some of our goals but wound up feeling drained–out of balance–trying to win or succeed at all costs. That’s the ego’s way of being successful where winning is the most important thing. And yes, we can achieve success that way, but at what cost?
Stress and success seem to go hand-in-hand. However, the cost of stress is significant–relationships can get disrupted, social interactions challenged, but most importantly physically it can raise blood pressure and cause inflammation in the body which is now shown to be linked directly or indirectly to practically every disease.
As Deepak Chopra shares in his revolutionary work, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, he explains that such seemingly endless struggles aren’t necessary or even desirable. Instead, he recommends the following Laws for achieving more balance along our journey:
#1 The Law of Pure Potential – take time to just BE.
#2 The Law of Giving – today, bring whomever we encounter a gift: a compliment or flower.
#3 The Law of Karma – every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind.
#4 The Law of Least Effort – accept people, situations, and events as they occur.
#5 The Law of Intention and Desire – trust when things don’t seem to go our way, there is a reason.
#6 The Law of Detachment – allow ourselves and others the freedom to be who they are.
#7 The Law of Dharma – seek our higher Self–discover our unique talents.
Needless to say, these are each profound in and of themselves and I plan to explore them further in future writings.
As Deepak explains : “In the natural world, creation comes forth with ease. A seed doesn’t struggle to become a tree―it simply unfolds in grace.” How beautiful is that analogy? That’s why I would like to focus this writing on his 4th Law–the Law of Least Effort. In order to put this law into effect, we will need to commit to taking the following steps:
1. 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.
2. Having accepted things as they are, I will take Responsibility for my situation and for all those events I see as problems. I know that taking responsibility means not blaming anyone or anything for my situation (and this includes myself). I also know that every problem is an opportunity in disguise, and this alertness to opportunities allows me to take this moment and transform it into a greater benefit.
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”― Rumi
3. Today my awareness will remain established in Defenselessness. I will relinquish the need to defend my point of view, and I will feel no need to 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.
It is hopeful that accepting and embracing these steps will bring peace and balance into our lives. One has to wonder whether a life of fear and anger could ever be converted to love and acceptance instead? I have faith that it’s possible. It’s been said and sung many times: “Love Always Wins”.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
And let’s be gentle with ourselves along the way, Warriors, as we “unfold with grace”!