The Law of Intention and Desire

I think I’m going to deem myself a weekend blog warrior. I shall try to whip out as many posts as I can so I can post more throughout the week! Today, I am feeling a little under the weather with a cold. So, no crazy Miami activities will be tempting me! Although, I may take a few hours to bask in the sun. =)

Sadly, I have a confession to make. My new year’s resolutions are not going too stellar. Being back at school has been unbelievably chaotic, and has not allowed me to spend time stretching, meditating etc. However, every day is a new opportunity to try again. Maybe this week, I will finally start to get into my daily meditation practice. It’s funny, but at first it takes some mental effort to make yourself just stop, relax, and let it all go.

On that note, let’s continue with Deepak Chopra’s Seven Spiritual Laws of success! It’s been a while. Where are we!? Law number 5! The Law of Intention and Desire. Previously, we discussed:

1. The Law of Pure Potentiality

2. The Law of Giving

3. The Law of Karma

4. The Law of Least Effort

Make sure to take a look back at all of those posts if you’re a new reader!

The Law of intention and desire tells us that when we spend time repeatedly focusing on our goals and dreams, they will become a reality. As Deepak puts it “Intention and desire in the field of pure potentiality have infinite organizing power.”  He suggests making a list of all of our intentions and dreams. Once we have looked into ourselves and found the things we truly want most, he tells us to focus on these things throughout the day. Look at the list before meditating, and focus on your dreams there. Look at the list throughout the day, always inviting the universe to flood you with opportunities that will help make your dreams a reality.

An amazing way to do this is through vision boarding! Get a white board or bulletin board for your room, and fill it with notes on your intentions and dreams. It doesn’t even have to be words. It could be images, or random things, whatever inspires you. I personally have a white board in my room where I write down quotes, goals, to do lists and more! I see it every day, sending small hopeful and positive thoughts into the universe. 

The coolest part about this law? I have experienced it work! 

After I did Deepak Chopra’s 21 Day Meditation Challenge on creating abundance, I really focused on creating my vision board and making my dreams a reality. One thing I had on my board was to “make money doing something I am passionate about”. During that time, my organization on campus began working with an organic produce buying club (more on those soon!). I kept thinking about how I would love to work with an organization like that in the future. I began looking into different companies online, seeing how I could get involved in the holistic health scene.

It’s literally as if the universe was listening to me. 

The next day, I was speaking with the founder of the produce buying club about logistics with my organization. At the end of the call she asked for my help getting a job opening publicized for her. It was a simple marketing assistant job that could easily be done remotely by a student in their spare time. I was astounded by the opportunity and immediately let her know I’d be interested. Now…I’m making great money while in school, promoting local organic produce and healthy living. Can’t get better than this! I truly believe it was my practicing of the law of intention and desire that led me to this position. As I said earlier, unfortunately I’ve been slacking a little on this lately. So, hopefully I’ll get to pick it back up and continue to see the opportunities flow my way.

What are your goals and dreams? Delve into yourself, make a list, and focus on these things whenever you can! The universe can’t help but send you positive things right back.

Be Well.

Love, Julie

P.S Go like my new facebook page!  http://www.facebook.com/BeWellLoveJulie

Deepak's Law of Least Effort

Happy Friday everyone! I hope everybody gets some much needed personal time this weekend. Today we go back to Deepak Chopra’s Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. We’re about half way to conquering the world! Go us! Have you been working on the previous three laws?

Let’s review! The first three laws to get you on the way to making all of your dreams come true are,

1. The Law of Pure Potentiality

2. The Law of Giving

3. The Law of Karma 

Find their individual posts in the archives!

And now… The Law of Least Effort! Although the Law of Karma is absolutely my favorite, the Law of Least Effort is definitely a close second! This law tells us to let go of our need to constantly control everything, and to trust in nature’s intelligence. That’s kind of liberating, huh? We don’t have to worry, we just have to be our best selves, acting with love and in harmony with nature, and the universe will take care of the rest. Specifically, Deepak tells us we can put The Law of Least Effort into effect by,

1. Practicing Acceptance- It is best for us to stop wishing things were different and to stop trying to change things. We should accept things as they are, knowing that everything is as it should be at this moment. Why waste energy struggling against what the universe has dictated should be? That could get exhausting!

2. Taking Responsibility- After practicing acceptance, we need to take responsibility for everything in our lives. We do not need to blame others or ourselves. By taking responsibility for everything, including problems, we can begin to recognize the opportunities for positive change. We can “have a creative response to the situation as it is now”. Every frustration and issue becomes an opportunity to make things better. That’s a more fun way of looking at things, right? Make every “problem” into a “challenge”.

3. Practicing Defenselessness- To practice defenselessness means to not feel the need to defend your own point of view. You do not need to try and convince others you are right. Also, in practicing defenselessness, you recognize the value of other points of view as well. In this way, we move through life flexibly. Think about it, living defensively can often result in anxiety or fear. But if we let go of the need to defend everything and push against others, we can be happy in the moment.

“When you remain open to all points of view -- not rigidly attached to only one -- your dreams and desires will flow with nature's desires. Then you can release your intentions, without attachment, and just wait for the appropriate season for your desires to blossom into reality. You can be sure that when the season is right, your desires will manifest. This is the Law of Least Effort.”

To me, the most obvious example of this law lies in relationships. Have you ever been in a fight, or a standstill with a significant other? You are not happy. You want things to be different. You want to get what you desire. So, you push for it. You chase it. You do basically everything opposite of the Law of Least Effort. Does it work? Usually not. You may seem to get what you want in the end. But is it real? Does your loved one really feel that way? Or did you push them into something illegitimate? If they are superficially giving into you, you really aren’t getting what you want at all. Likely, in a few days or weeks, you will realize things are falling apart again. All it was was an effort to please you.

Think about the opposite situation. You let go, accept life, have no need to be defensive, and no expectations. It is often with this mindset that the most wonderful things happen. Haven’t you heard the saying “love will come when you least expect it”? Also, in times of conflict, practicing the Law of Least effort ensures a genuine outcome. It may not be exactly what you want. However, chances are it’s exactly what you need. It’s what nature intended, and at least you won’t have wasted time on something fake.

So, in all areas of life, let go! Live a life of love, giving, and respect. Do not push, chase, or waste energy being combative or defensive. Just let it be. Yes, this is a lot easier said than done. I won’t pretend to be an expert. But, I think we’d all love to let the universe take our lives in its hands and send awesomeness our way, right? We might as well give it our best and try! Put this into practice this weekend, see what you find!

Wishing you a calm and peaceful Friday night <3

Be Well.

Love, Julie

My favorite Law of Spirtitual Success *It will change your life*

A favorite story of mine happened when I accidentally pulled out of my driveway without looking. Of course the one time I do this (I’m serious the one time), a car goes flying behind me. I hear this hugeee honk and hit the brakes one inch away from the car. I didn’t move a muscle, with fear I would give her nice SUV a love tap. The woman pulls away, and I remain still. Then she proceeds to get out of her car and scream at me for about 30 seconds straight. Mind you, I didn’t hit her. Yes it was my fault. Yes it was a one-time mistake. I get it. It was scary enough. Anyway, she’s screaming, on the street, alone. My windows are closed, and I hear absolutely nothing she says. All I can think is man, this woman is freaking out, getting all stressed, and I realized it was a bad situation, and have chosen to remain calm. So, when she pulled away in a huff, ruining her own day (for not being hit), I was shook up for a little and then decided to recognize my mistake and move on calmly. We made two very different choices, and I’m sure that day the universe responded to us in very different ways. Years ago, I may have been seriously bothered by that, or have yelled back. But, this law brought me back down to earth…

          Yes we have returned to Deepak! We still have many more awesome laws to go. Have you been reading? Listening maybe? I cannot possibly cover all the wisdom Seven Spiritual Laws of Success shares in this blog, so don’t cheat yourself. Go get it!

                 

          So let’s see where are we? Law number three! We just explored The Law of Pure Potentiality and The Law of Giving. Now we arrive at The Law of Karma.  I think it is safe to say that this is my favorite law. As can be seen from my little story, it is one whose relevance I see in my life every single day. It has gotten me through various tough situations, and continues to be a voice of reason in my daily life. Let it guide you as well!

According to Deepak, The Law of Karma tells us that “every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind”. How do these actions come to be? They are choices. Think about it. Every minute of every single day, we make choices. We choose what we do, we choose how we treat other people, we choose how we feel about ourselves, and we choose how we react to certain situations. In every single thing in life, we have the power to choose. However, so many times we forget this simple fact. We think we are subject to certain conditions. We unconsciously make decisions that may not return the best energy to us. Yet, they are still decisions, that we have made, that no one forced us to make.

Here is how Deepak suggests using the Law of Karma:

1. Witness the choices you make in every moment. The best way to prepare for any moment in the future is to be fully conscious in the present.

2. Whenever you make a choice, ask yourself two questions: “What are the consequences of this choice?” and “Will this choice bring happiness to me and to those who are affected by this choice?”

3. Ask your heart for guidance, and be guided by its message of comfort or discomfort. If the choice feels comfortable, go ahead with that choice. If the choice feels uncomfortable, then don’t make that choice.

This law is so simple, and yet again so incredible. How could we possibly have forgotten how much power we have over our own lives? For example, milk has spilled all over your kitchen. Do you freak out and moan and get angry? Or do you take a deep breath, calmly get some paper towels and clean up the mess? Which will return more positive energy to you? Which will upset everyone around you? Say it spills on your clothes. Will people admire you more for carrying yourself with poise, or for causing a huge scene?

There was a time this semester (or actually a few times) where I was absolutely overwhelmed with commitments. I didn’t know how I’d get it all done. I began to freak out. Then I remembered Deepak’s melodic voice in my head speaking about The Law of Karma. Stressing out over it would only cause me discomfort. It would not help me get everything done. So, I took a deep breath, made a to-do list, and decided to tackle everything one thing at a time. It would all get done, and I needed to take care of my sanity as well.

 So keep this in mind in absolutely any situation. You’re going out after a significant other did something to bother you…is it going to ruin your good time? Or will you go out confident in yourself, and have fun with your friends? Someone has a different point of view than you. Do you become irritated and judgmental? Or do you listen and consider different possibilities, offering your love and support?

It also pertains to health goals. Is skipping your work out today necessary? How will it make you feel? Does your body really need a break (the answer could most certainly be yes)? What are you going to feed your body? Will it make you feel good, or bloated and tired?

I in no way have mastered this law at all yet. However, it is an absolutely amazing resource. Whenever I am anxious or insecure about something, I always remember that I am choosing to feel that way. No one is making me. Remember the quote I posted a while ago? “You are only confined by the walls you build yourself”. It’s a lot to wrap our heads around. Society has conditioned us to react and act in certain ways. It’s ok. Let’s just take it one choice at a time, one day at a time, and remember that we are in control of our own lives. I’m speaking to myself on this one too!!

Wishing you a calm and wonderful day full of awesome karma from the universe,

Be Well.

Love, Julie