The Law of Detachment

I am officially on Spring Break, woooo hooo!!! It's a bittersweet feeling at the moment. On one hand, it's been an outrageously busy and stressful semester, and I am so so happy for some time off. On the other hand, it means I only have about a month and a half left of college...

Wow.

 I'm hoping this ten days off will help me regroup, so that I can truly enjoy, not just endure, my last bit of time as an undergrad. I wonder when this reality is going to sink in...

I am super excited for some much needed me time. I am not going on some $1000 dollar trip, as I do not enjoy drinking all day, getting exhausted, and not being able to chill and workout. Instead, I am taking a lovely weekend trip with some girlfriends and then spending the week in Miami, doing some catching up, blogging, reading, yoga, and relaxing during the days, and having fun at night with friends when I want! For me, the best vacation is all about balance (and sunshine!). Speaking of, step up Miami, it's been way too cold for March lately!  (Ok, my mom just sent me a picture of the snow at home. I guess I can deal.)

Anyway, I am super excited that on Monday, Deepak Chopra begins another one of his FREE 21 day Meditation Challenges! This one is with Oprah! If you are new to meditation, and don't know where to begin, sign up (the link is in a post below)! All you have to do is press play on the link that is sent to you, and you will be guided through the rest.

I was hoping to finish The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success before the challenge began, but think it will likely be next week!

P.S did I mention how happy I am that I actually have time to blog right now? Yayy!

Ok and now,

Law 6: The Law of Detachment 

This is another one of my absolute favorite laws of spiritual success. It kind of goes along with the Law of Least Effort .The law of detachment focuses on embracing something called "the wisdom of uncertainty". Let that phrase sink in for a moment. Uncertainty possesses a certain wisdom. The universe has a way of sorting everything out. There is no need for us to be obsessively anxious over every little thing. We can embrace the wisdom of uncertainty, knowing that as long as we are doing our best to be a positive presence in this world, things will come together as they should.

Deepak says, "in the wisdom of uncertainty lies 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."

To put the Law of Detachment into practice Deepak suggests:

"  1. 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 detached involvement.

  2. Today I will factor in uncertainty as an essential ingredient of my experience. In my willingness to accept uncertainty, solutions will spontaneously emerge out of the problem, out of the confusion, disorder, and chaos. The more uncertain things seem to be, the more secure I will feel, because uncertainty is my path to freedom. Through the wisdom of uncertainty, I will find my security.

 3. I will step into the field of all possibilities and anticipate the excitement that can occur when I remain open to an infinity of choices. When I step into the field of all possibilities, I will experience all the fun, adventure, magic, and mystery of life. "

Times of change and uncertainty pop up continuously throughout life, whether it is post-graduate plans for my age group, a new job search, decisions on where to live, challenges in how to transform into your best you, or a search for a partner in life. Although often times these things bring stress and anxiety, try to focus on the positive. They also bring incredible amounts of opportunity! Be open to all of the wisdom that uncertainty has to offer. Focus on your dreams, and new chances will arise. With relationships, being able to free yourself from expectation is liberating. Why obsess over how someone else is acting, hoping they will act in the way you wish for the relationship will go? Like in the Law of Least effort, you will likely end up trying to force a situation, which often results in a false sense of satisfaction. By embracing the wisdom of uncertainty, and the Law of Detachment, you simply let things and people be. Life will occur naturally and how it's supposed to. If that relationship is meant to work, it will. If we are meant to get that job, we will.

So what can we do? Just try to be the best you everyday. Make efforts towards your wishes, but do not force them. Put as much positive energy out there as you can. It's bound to come back!

             

Be Well.

Love, Julie

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

The Alchemist and Deepak's Law of Pure Potentiality

Being able to read books I actually want to is a luxury reserved for breaks from school work. With my very open schedule, consisting mainly of working out and Christmas preparations, I searched for books that would offer me wisdom, and further my progress on my wellness journey. Lately, the average novel has not been cutting it for me. I like to spend time reading things that will provide me with knowledge, and an opportunity for growth. Truly valuing the input of Mindbodygreen.com, I used their website for inspiration.

One of the books mentioned in its archives was The Alchemist, an allegorical tale about following one’s dreams. It was amazing. The book is so beautifully and simply written. Literally every page offers some type of wisdom. The Alchemist tells the story of a shepherd boy who decides to live out his “personal legend” after a revelation in a dream. I will not even attempt to summarize all this piece teaches, but here is a quote I feel truly sums it up:

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure. “

This seriously struck me. It’s so simple, and so true. How many people have true dreams and abandon them because they’re scared they won’t succeed. As a college senior, deciding my future, this message is all too relevant. In a perfect world, I would move out to California, become a health coach, workout and practice Bikram regularly, network with plant-based and raw communities, and inspire people to live healthier better quality lives every day, whether it is in my own practice, or in a corporate setting. But that takes more education, which takes money. Success is not as guaranteed in this as it would be in other careers. What do I do? How can I combine my dream life and what makes sense? Can they be the same thing? Scary…I know. This other quote gives me a little peace of mind.

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

This connects with a lot of the teachings of Deepak Chopra and his Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. The first law is the Law of Pure Potentiality, which teaches that all possibilities in the universe are infinite. By focusing and tuning into our true selves, becoming detached to and unaffected by other people, situations, and circumstances, we gain true and permanent power to achieve whatever we’d like. If we are grounded by other people, expectations, and situations, we are grounded by fear and temporary things.

Deep, I know.

Deepak suggests practicing the Law of Pure Potentiality by making an effort to tune into your truest self (each day)  spending time in complete silence (no reading or anything) and meditation, spending time communing with nature, and practicing non-judgment (just not judging every single thing that happens and going with the flow). Simple steps, yes, but challenging to make yourself do every day. Maybe these will help with my dilemma (and you with any of yours?)! Try them out yourself…and keep exploring his awesome book! There are seven laws after all, and I’ve only covered two!

Also, if you haven’t read it yet, I highly suggest picking up The Alchemist for a holiday read. I know, I’m giving a lot of book suggestions. Maybe make a list and tackle them whenever you have time! These two in particular have truly inspired me, and I believe everyone can benefit from them in their own way, no matter where one is in life. The messages are profound and a little overwhelming at times. Yet, life is a day by day journey. I truly believe with patience and good intentions, we will figure it all out eventually!

Be Well.

Love, Julie