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 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