Rev. Nat Carter continues a Sunday series based on The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. This fresh perspective is about more than practicing prosperity techniques. It is about living in harmony with natural law that enables us to experience abundant life.
Sunday services start at 10 a.m. If you cannot attend in person, you can find Sunday services on our YouTube channel and Facebook page. You also can listen on our SoundCloud channel.
A related class facilitated by Rev. Nat meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, November 2-December 14.
This new class allows discussion of the book and Sunday’s lesson. From the book:
In The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Deepak Chopra distills the essence of his teachings into seven simple, yet powerful principles that can easily be applied to create success in all areas of your life.
Based on natural laws that govern all of creation, this book shatters the myth that success is the result of hard work, exacting plans, or driving ambition. Instead, 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.
The Law of Pure Potentiality
(Introduction and Chapter 1)
Discussion questions for November 2:
• How do you refer to your spiritual Self?
• Is there a glitch within you in affirming “I am the Christ” or “I am God in expression”?
• How comfortable are you with being silent for an extended period?
• How comfortable are you with silent surroundings? Are there any habitual background sounds or activities that you initiate?
• What is your usual method of analyzing, classifying, interpreting (judging) your environment and events?
• What might a regular meditation schedule look like for you?
• Where do you connect with Nature? How often? For how long?
The Law of Giving and Receiving
(Chapter 2)
“The universe operates through dynamic exchange…giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe.” That flow is directed by our consciousness, not by our practices. Love is a way of describing and understanding that flow of energy.
• What have been the intentions behind some of your giving?
• “Give wherever you go.” What can you give besides money?
• Describe any reservations, glitches in consciousness or negative thoughts when asked for money?
• In what ways are you generous?
• How easy is it for you to receive gifts, compliments, attention, affection?
• In what practices or disciplines have you engaged to build your consciousness around giving and receiving?
The Law of “Karma” or Cause and Effect
(Chapter 3)
“Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind … what we sow is what we reap. And when we choose actions that bring happiness and success to others, the fruit of our karma is happiness and success.”
• How do you make decisions?
• What are your automatic, default guidelines?
• Where are you impulsive?
• How have you learned to deal with mistakes, inappropriate things done in past?
• What present circumstances are the direct result of previous choices and actions? How conscious were you at that time?
• What do you use as a Karma eraser?
• How does your body give you feedback about possible choices?
• How often do you consider the future generated by present decisions?
• How can you remember to stop and consider the possible future your choices will make?
The Law of Least Effort
(Chapter 4)
Nature’s intelligence functions with effortless ease . . . with carefreeness harmony and love. And when we harness the forces of harmony, joy, and love, we create success and good fortune with effortless ease.
Class discussion questions this week:
• How do you “let it be”, accept “what is” in the present?
• What is your experience of “let go and let God”.
• How has “give it 110%” worked for you?
• Where have you assigned blame or looked for outside help in the past?
• How does “If it’s going to be, it’s up to me” feel?
• What prompts you to take responsibility and move into action?
• What prayer, affirmation or reminder aligns you with the Law of Least Effort?
The Law of Intention and Desire
(Chapter 5)
“Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment … intention and desire in the field of pure potentiality have infinite organizing power. And when we introduce an intention in the fertile ground of pure potentiality, we put this infinite organizing power to work for us.”
Discussion questions for this week’s class.
• What do you think of yourself as an energy generator?
• Where does your attention usually go?
• How can you hold both detached awareness with one- pointed attention, unshakable serenity along with intense passion?
• What does Chopra mean by “release your intentions”?
• List your desires and intentions at least for the holiday season.
The Law of Detachment
(Chapter 6)
“In detachment lies the wisdom of uncertainty … 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.”
Discussion questions for this week’s class.
• How do you “let go and let God”?
• How does “this or something better” feel?
• How comfortable are you with uncertainty?
• How do you proceed in uncertainty?
• How do you interrupt an automatic, impulsive or ego-centric response from yourself?
• How do you detach from fear, anger, shame, jealousy….?
The Law of Dharma or Purpose of Life
(Chapter 7)
“Everyone has a purpose in life . . . a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.”
Discussion questions for this week’s class.
• What brings you joy?
• Where do you experience “being in the zone”?
• What surprises others about you. What do others appreciate about you?
• Who have you come here to be? What have you come here to give?
• When did you discover your spiritual self?
• Where are you able to shift from “what’s in it for me” to “what’s in it from me”?
