The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success - critical summary review

Success can come in many forms. It can mean being happily married, being wealthy, or having a loving group of friends. But many of us struggle with becoming successful. Deepak Chopra, an expert in mind-body medicine and human potential, shares seven simple steps to create success in your life. These are deeply interconnected with the makeup of the universe around us. So, get ready to learn to trust in the universe!

Finding your true self

Anything happening in the universe is dictated by universal Intelligence. It operates by the seven spiritual laws. By putting these laws into practice, you can achieve anything you want in life. “Anything we want can be created, because the same laws that nature uses to create a forest, or a galaxy, or a star, or a human body can also bring about the fulfillment of our deepest desires,” says Chopra.

The first law of success is the law of pure potentiality. This means connecting with your true self, your spirit, along with nature and the entire universe around you. 

Our true self is our essential state, our pure consciousness, pure knowledge, pure creativity. It is a state of unlimited possibilities; once we connect with our true self, anything can happen.

To be able to connect with your true self, you need to free yourself from your ego. This is your social mask, your image of yourself, which lives off the approval of others. Your true self does not depend on such external, superficial forces. Your true self is at one with all creation since we are all manifestations of the same spirit. Your ego separates you from others.

How can we access this wonderful source of inspiration? Daily practice of silence can help – taking time out of the day to simply be, and to reconnect to your spirit. You can also achieve this by meditating twice a day for 30 minutes, focusing on the breath and letting thoughts come and go.

    Another powerful setting to access the true self is by spending time in nature. You may have experienced this feeling of complete harmony before, when looking at a mountain or when walking in a forest, for example. This feeling of unity with all creation is where you will be able to access the endless possibilities the universe has to offer.

Give and take

The flow of the universe is created by giving and receiving in turn. It is a dynamic exchange. In the same way, your mind is in a state of constant dynamic exchange with the mind of the cosmos.

The second law, the law of giving, means that in order to receive, we must give as well. If you want to be affluent, for example, you must also give money. “Affluence”, after all, means “to flow in abundance.” And “currency” refers to the flow of energy. This means that if you keep saving your money instead of spending it, you are holding up the flow of the universe and money won’t circulate back into your life. 

In reality, giving and receiving are the same – they both sustain the eternal flow of life energy. “Anything that is of value in life only multiplies when it is given. That which doesn’t multiply through giving is neither worth giving nor worth receiving.” 

Whatever you want in your life, you must learn to give it first – whether it is love, appreciation, or attention. The intention behind giving something is just as important as the act of giving itself. When motivated by love, the energy created by us multiplies and comes back a thousand-fold. Our consciousness and thoughts are part of the consciousness and thoughts of the universe around them. So when we think something positive, we will create positive energy flowing out from us, and eventually, this will come back to us through the circulation of life energy. 

We are all rich if we can access our true self because it knows how to take care of every need we might have. If you seek joy and love for others as well as yourself, everything in life will come to you. Make a conscious decision to give whenever you come into contact with someone, whether it is a compliment, a smile, or a greeting.

Finding your purpose

Intricately connected to the law of giving is the law of Karma: what we give is what we receive. This also means seeing the present moment as an accumulation of every moment that came before it. Our choices from the past influence our lives every day, so it is important to be aware of our choices.

Most of the choices we make are subconscious. They take the form of conditioned reflexes with which we react to a person or situation. We have to learn to make conscious choices, instead of subconscious ones. For example, if someone is rude to you, you can choose to feel insulted or hurt or you can choose to not let it affect you. Having the choice and making a conscious decision is an empowering experience.

There is always only one correct choice that will create happiness for yourself and those around you. You can recognize this spontaneous choice when you feel comfortable with the decision you make. This is how the universe lets you know you’re on the right path. 

Anything that happens to us is the universe teaching us a lesson. For example, breaking a leg during sports can be a sign that you should slow down and be more attentive to your body. And it might even provide you with a chance to teach others about playing sports safely by telling them about it.

Each and every one of us has a purpose in life. We have been put by the universe into the place we are to fulfill this purpose. This is the law of Dharma. This means everyone has a unique talent and a unique way of expressing their purpose. We all have the embryo of a god or goddess slumbering within us. So, focus on what makes you unique, and what you are here to give, and you are sure to thrive in life. 

One way of knowing you have found your true purpose is when you become totally absorbed in the task. You lose all track of time and you enrich your life as well as the lives of others. Your Dharma acts in accordance with your true self, which, after all, is connected to the well-being of all.

Don’t resist

    Anything happening in nature happens with effortless ease. A tree grows. Earth spins. A bird flies. This is the law of least effort, of not resisting the natural cause of events.

Applying this in your own life means feeling at ease with any situation in which you find yourself. Don’t resist, and good things will easily flow to you.

Every moment is an accumulation of all moments in the past, and of the energy of the entire universe. If you struggle against it, you struggle against the entire universe. Remember, your feelings about a situation can be controlled by you.

Take responsibility. Don’t blame anyone, not even yourself, for the situation you are in. Simply accept it. This will allow you to respond creatively to your current situation. It means that every upsetting situation will become an opportunity, and every difficult person you encounter will become a teacher. There is a hidden meaning behind everything that happens to you. 

To fully follow the law of least effort, you must adopt a mindset of defenselessness. This means abandoning the need of convincing everyone that your point of view is correct. Defending your point will mean you’ll meet resistance, and resisting means not allowing yourself to experience the present moment fully. It will also prevent you from keeping an open mind. 

Aim for an effortless flowing of life. Chopra says, “Make a commitment to follow the path of no resistance. This is the path through which nature’s intelligence unfolds spontaneously, without friction or effort.”

Think positive

The whole universe is made up of the flow of energy and information. This is influenced by intention and desire. Imagine throwing a stone into a pond and then watching the ripples. This is what happens to your intentions when you experience stillness – they create a ripple in the greater universe.

The universe is our extended body and therefore everything we do, and everything we think, influences the world around us. The law of least effort teaches us to accept the present. With the law of intention and desire, you intend the future. Make a list of your desires and read it before going to sleep, and before meditating. Trust in the universe to make these desires come true. Accept the present as it is and cherish each moment to its fullest – your future will manifest itself through your desires.

In order to achieve your desires, you must give up your attachment to the outcome. The law of detachment means that you hold an unquestioning belief in the power of your true self. True fulfillment lies within knowing yourself. Material wealth, on the other hand, is a symbol for your internal self, which means that by chasing it, you settle for the map instead of the territory.

You might think that having money saved in the bank gives you security. It doesn’t. Attachment to money can never make you secure, because security does not come from money alone. Just think of financial crashes, for example. Money can lose all its value in a second.

Chasing security is nothing other than hankering after a perfect, golden past. It means stagnation, the end of all evolution. What you want is uncertainty in your life. This means stepping into the unknown, where everything is possible. So when you feel uncertain, this means you’re on the right path. The Law of Detachment means that you’ll take opportunities as they arise, and that you’re flexible to change your course to reach your desire. Give things the freedom to be as they are.  

Final Notes

    Trust in the universe to get you to where you want to be. You will not  get something for nothing, however. In order to receive, you must learn how to give first. You also need to find the place of perfect harmony between yourself and the universe – this will create a flow of energy to make your dreams come true.

    As bestselling author Anthony Robbins puts it, “Of all Deepak's books, “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” gives a profound outline for conducting one's life at the highest and most integrated level. It is magnificent.”

12min Tip

Make a list of your unique talents and all the things you love doing. This will help you find your purpose in life.