The Law of Least Effort

The Law of Least Effort

Posted by Marie-Élise Simon on July 25, 2007 - 5:09pm.

Adapted from The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, by Deepak Chopra (Amber-Allen Publishing, abridged edition, 2007). The path to fulfillment doesn’t need to be so difficult! Try these three liberating steps to a happier and more abundant life by taking the path of least effort: SIMPLE SOLUTION:

1. Accept people, circumstances, and events as they are in this moment. When confronted with any challenge, remind yourself, "This moment is as it should be," because the entire universe is as it should be.

2. Take responsibility for your situation without blaming anything or anyone, including yourself. Every problem is an opportunity to take this moment and transform it into greater benefit.

3. Be un-defended. Relinquish the need to defend your point of view. In defenselessness, you remain open to all points of view, not rigidly attached to one of them.

HELPFUL HINTS: This is a wonderful handbook; the editors recommend it hightly. You can buy your copy on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

so simple

by Vicki_R on July 25, 2007 - 6:49pm

It always sounds so simple when I read these steps. But when I am in the heat of the battle with my mom or my sister, it isn't that easy to disconnect. I do think that we get attached to our point of view even when we might realize that it is not right. It then becomes a battle and you stray from what the original problem was in the start.

by AuntT on July 26, 2007 - 1:37am

Regarding point #3---- I think the biggest problem in miscommunication is we are too busy trying to formulate our opinion and how we will phrase it in our mind before the other person has finished stating what they think or feel. We feel/act like if we don't have something to say immediately when the other person stops talking, our opinions/feelings won't count...........not true. I try to remember to breathe..........not always an easy thing to do if I'm steamed.

I try

by Monmac1 on July 26, 2007 - 1:41pm

I know that I have a problem with number three also; I tend to defend myself and my point of view. I think that my ideas and “views” are the right way, a future possibility, and are 100% backed up. But when it is stupid stuff that happens through the day, you know, just random arguments, I brush it off. I really don’t like confrontation if it is not needed, I am a LOVER not a FIGHTER!

I would add this to 3

by Qitree on July 26, 2007 - 3:50pm

Neither attack or defend. It is hard to have a fight or heated dicussion if one of you is not doing the attacking or defending. For me this boils down to idea, counter-idea. If someone throws up an idea. I don't throw up the counter-idea. It doen't mean agreeing with them. It just means I do not make problems for myself or them.

EXACTLY!

by GreenFairy on July 26, 2007 - 3:59pm

I think some one got it! It is not about getting into debates all the time. We can also just say our ideas, thoughts and views, just don’t get too uptight about it. If it gets to that point where somebody is about to take a punch, then I would take that as a cue, to chill out and that’s the end of it. I know it is some very HARD work, self control. Just try to life unfold as it should.

by Vicki_R on July 26, 2007 - 6:24pm

I was having my Yogi Tea and my little saying on the tea bag said "Act, not React". I think that so often I react to situations and then think about them instead of doing the thinking first. Many times it is hard for me to take responsibility for situation and admit that I may have handled it wrong. Being humble and knowing your limits is a great achievement.

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