Book Summary Preview : The Seven Spiritual Laws Of Success

Dr. Deepak Chopra is a well-known author of more than 25 books. He is one of the leading spokespersons for a growing movement of physicians who are combining modern Western medicine with ancient Eastern healing methods. Chopra was formerly the Chief of Staff at Boston Regional Medical Center, and he has taught at Tufts University and Boston University Schools of Medicine. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success is a short but insightful book that explains how simple actions can make a big difference. Some parts of it may appear abstract to those who have not experienced Eastern philosophy.

Key Ideas

Based on natural laws which govern all of creation, this book shatters the myth that success is the result of hard work, exacting plans, or driving ambition.

Deepak Chopra offers a life-altering perspective on the attainment of success: Once we understand our true nature and learn to live in harmony with natural law, a sense of well-being, good health, fulfilling relationships, energy and enthusiasm for life, and material abundance will spring forth easily and effortlessly.

1. The Law Of Pure Potentiality

This law is based on the fact that we are, in our essential state, pure consciousness. According to Chopra, pure consciousness is pure potentiality; it is the field of all possibilities and infinite creativity. Being infinite and unbounded, it is also pure joy. Other attributes of consciousness are pure knowledge, infinite silence, perfect balance, invincibility, simplicity and bliss. The more you experience your true nature, the closer you are to the field of pure potentiality. The experience of the Self, or “self-referral”, means that our internal reference point is our own spirit and not the object of our experience.

Through meditation you will learn to experience the field of pure silence and pure awareness. In that field of pure silence is the field of infinite correlation, the field of infinite organizing power, the ultimate ground of creation where everything is inseparably connected with everything else. In the Bible is the expression, "Be still and know that I am God." This can only be accomplished through meditation. Spending time in nature will also give you access to the qualities inherent in the field: infinite creativity, freedom and bliss.

Another way to access the field of pure potentiality is through the practice of non-judgment. Judgment is the constant evaluation of things as right or wrong, good or bad. When you are constantly evaluating, classifying, labeling, analyzing, you create a lot of turbulence in your internal dialogue. This turbulence constricts the flow of energy between you and the field of pure potentiality.

As you gain access to your true nature, you will also spontaneously receive creative thoughts, because the field of pure potentiality is also the field of pure infinite creativity and pure knowledge. The affluence of the universe – the lavish display and abundance of the universe – is an expression of the creative mind of nature. The more tuned in you are to the mind of nature the more you have access to its infinite, unbounded creativity.

2. The Law Of Giving

In order to keep energy and prosperity coming to us, we have to keep the energy circulating. A river must keep flowing, otherwise it begins to stagnate, to suffocate and strangle its very own life force. Circulation keeps a river and every living thing in it alive and vital.

The universe operates through dynamic exchange; giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe. In our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives. The more you give, the more you will receive, because you will keep the abundance of the universe circulating in your life. Anything that is of value in life only multiplies when it is given.

The flow of life is nothing other than the harmonious interaction of all the elements and forces that structure the field of existence. This harmonious interaction of elements and forces in our life operates as the Law of Giving.

It is the intention behind your giving and receiving that is the most important thing. The intension should always be to create happiness, because happiness is life-supporting and life-sustaining and therefore generates increase. The return is directly proportional to the giving when it is unconditional and from the heart.

Practicing the Law of Giving is actually very simple: if you want joy, give joy to others. If you want love- learn to give love, if you want attention and appreciation, learn to give the same, if you want material abundance, help others to get material abundance. The easiest way to get what you want is to help others get what they want. If you want to be blessed with all the things in life, learn to silently bless everyone with all the good things in life.

Chopra suggests that the best way to put the Law of Giving into operation is to make a decision that anytime you come in contact with anyone, you will give them something. It doesn’t have to be in the form of material things. It could be a flower, a compliment or a prayer. The most powerful forms of giving are non-material. The gift of caring, attention, affection, appreciation and love are some the most precious gifts you can give. They don’t cost you anything. When you meet someone, you can silently send them a blessing wishing them happiness, joy and laughter. This kind of silent giving is very powerful. As long as you are giving you will be receiving. Our true nature is one of affluence and abundance. We are naturally affluent because nature supports every need and desire.

3. The Law of Karma

Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind — what we sow is what we reap. When we choose actions that bring happiness and success to others, the fruit of our karma is one of happiness and success.

Karma is cause and the effect of your actions simultaneously. Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in the same way we are sending it out. Karma implies the action of conscious choice-making. Some of these choices are made consciously, while others are made unconsciously. The best way to maximize the use of karmic law is to become consciously aware of the choices we make in every moment. Everything that is happening in this moment is a result of the choices you have made in the past.

Our reactions often seem to be automatically triggered by people and circumstances. We often are making these choices unconsciously. If you step back for a moment and witness the choices you are making while you make them, you take the whole process from the unconscious realm into the conscious realm. This procedure conscious choice-making and witnessing is very empowering. Ask yourself about the consequences of every choice you make. “Will this choice bring me and others happiness?” Listen to your heart and body for feedback. The heart has a computing ability that is far more accurate and far more precise than anything within the limits of rational thought.

You can use the Law of Karma to create money and affluence and the flow of all good things to you any time you want. But first you must become consciously aware that your future is generated by the choices you are making in every moment of your life. If you do this on a regular basis, then you are making full use of the Law of Karma. The more you make conscious decisions the more you will make those choices that are spontaneously correct – both for you and those around you.