Sometimes a little book can have a very profound and powerful influence. I just finished reading The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. Though written in 1994, the book is filled with timeless wisdom and guidance about how to live one’s life with success, empowerment and kindness toward others.
One particular concept that stood out, as something a little newer to my thinking, is called “defenselessness.” Now that isn’t a negative concept, but a very powerfully positive one. This asks us to let go of the need to convince others of our point of view. It also asks us to take complete responsibility for our own life.
“If you just relinquish the need to defend your point of view, you will in that relinquishment, gain access to enormous amounts of energy that have been previously wasted.” – Chopra
When you act defensively and place blame on others — you create resistance. And as your resistance increases, your life is filled with greater frustration and negativity. Chopra uses the analogy of being a flexible reed that bends and adapts during a storm and so survives, as opposed to a rigid, unbending tree that might snap during the storm.
So stop fighting and resisting — stop defending. Take your pride and ego out of the equation. Do you really feel the need to try to prove you are “right” all the time?
Letting go of this defending mindset can be a lifelong process. However, if you can achieve that and bring your authentic attention to the present moment — and simply relax into it gently and with acceptance — think of how much more meaningful and how much more joyful you will be. Chopra suggests if you “embrace the present and become one with it and merge with it, you will experience a fire, a glow, a sparkle of ecstasy…”
Affirmations:
- I focus my energy on taking full responsibility for my life.
- I am empowered by the understanding that I am the creator or my life story.
- I release the need to defend my point of view, and embrace the peace that comes with being in the simple joy of the moment.
