Interesting story to preface…
Someone emailed to tell me that she thinks I’m a lovely person and all, but that my writings have too much of a ‘religious’ tone to them. She was polite and appreciative, but clearly wishing she could learn the principles from a more secular point of view.
I can appreciate that. I respect her point of view and certainly never intend to offend anyone by focusing on how to partner with God to accomplish goals. After all, one of my foundational tenets comes from the Articles of Faith, specifically #11:
[I] claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of [my] own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
(Or not at all, if that’s what they choose.)
And the good news is that the principles of success and the power of positive thinking is applicable and accessible to all people, whether or not they belong to organized religion. Obviously.
So why a religious tone at all?
To answer this, I need you to understand some history. When I began learning these principles, it was primarily from a secular (non-religious) angle, and yet the principles fit so perfectly WITH my religious beliefs that I felt compelled to share with my churchy peers how it all comes together. My work was meant to serve as a bridge between the two camps, by focusing on what they have in common.
For those who only live in the secular world, the bridge seems unnecessary at best, and annoying at worst. I understand that – I never expected my angle to resonate with everyone.
But when I began my websites and seminars in 2000, my target audience was specifically those who believed in God, who were faithful in their belief system of choice, and who maybe weren’t sure it was okay to prosper, or even how to do so without offending their Maker.
One of my business mentors questioned my judgment and could not understand why I wouldn’t want to share the message with a broader audience.
But that’s exactly why I didn’t – because nobody else had bridged that gap in quite the same way. This would be my unique contribution.
The Spiritual Conflict
The enemy of the human soul would have us fail, remain in bondage, and live in despair; and has managed to convince too many of us that it’s ‘evil’ to hope for something better.
Instead, I believe that God would have us seek out the laws that govern success, because as we learn the truth about them, we can become free.
As one of my mentors Bob Proctor taught,
“There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21
(Bob Proctor is not a member of the Mormon faith, but appreciated the truth contained in that particular Mormon text. And I will add that although he generally takes a secular, scientific, non-religious angle with his teachings, he also appreciates truth wherever he finds and recognizes it.)
I believe the text to be true as well, and thus it became my quest to discover the laws that govern prosperity.
More on that story – watch the Visual Aid that Changed Everything
Now and then, you’ll see I’ll share tips that are more scientifically or secularly oriented, because I do think it’s good to understand the principles from all angles. We would ALL do well to be educated in a broad spectrum of subjects, and should realize that we don’t have to give up what we know to be true to accept additional truth.
The fact is, truth fits.
In other words, if it’s true, it will always fit with the truth you already have. If it doesn’t fit, then you can weigh out the differences and let the Spirit of God enlighten your mind to see clearly what is false. Meditation can help de-clutter the mind of the noise and allow you to tune in and more clearly hear / feel divine guidance from the Spirit of God.
Related: Why I have no argument with the scientist
So today, I decided to share some thoughts about Meditation, a practice from which religious and non-religious people alike have benefited for millennia. In my humble opinion, meditation does not replace prayer, but for me, it has been a helpful tool in conjunction with prayer.
So you need to slow down. Calm down. Be at peace, and listen. And if meditation helps, do it.
However you view it, whether you use it as a way to get closer to God, or perhaps as a way to connect with nature / your inner voice / highest self, here are some tips from Karl Moore, owner of Inspire3, and creator of the Brain Evolution System:
While home may be the most convenient place to meditate, it also is an environment that can introduce the most distractions. So having an audio program playing in the background, or in a headset can help you stay focused.
One challenge to effective meditation can be staying awake. It might be good to meditate after you’ve already had a few hours of sleep. The mind is often the most at peace during early morning before the stresses of the day set in. Meditating with the sunrise is always a serene experience. An early meditation also helps you turn on a positive state and take on the world during the day with a positive mindset.
Many find that their mind wanders easily and that they really benefit from a guided meditation from time to time. There are many meditation recordings and brainwave audios to keep your meditation on track so you can work with your subconscious mind to achieve your goals more confidently.
It is best to choose one special place for meditation, so that you come to associate this place with a relaxed, tranquil meditative state, and your state will begin to shift as soon as you enter that space.
Do not confine your meditation practice to one place and one time during the day. You can take your meditation with you where ever you need to go. When you reach a meditation state that you like, anchor it. An anchor is any physical stimulus you choose. It may be as simple as touching your thumb and baby finger together. The next time you are stressed out, call up your anchor, relax, smile and remind yourself that you are going to do great.
These meditation tips have been brought to you by Karl’s Brain Evolution System.
Divine guidance truly is available to everyone, but there is a price to pay in order to hear it, recognize it, and know it for what it is. There’s no mistaking it when you feel it, but you have to make room for it first.
Genius Bootcamp provides the coaching, training, and support, to help you make room, so you can realize how accessible and clear personal revelation can be.
After all, the solution to every problem is only an idea away, and to me, a genius idea = inspiration from God. But whether you believe in God or if you believe in a Higher Power by some other name, Bootcamp is a place where you can awaken / strengthen your personal connection with the wisest “mentor” you’ll ever know.
Click here to learn more about Genius Bootcamp.
Originally published October 21, 2013
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5 Responses
I truly am delighted about how you related why you place emphasis on God in your writing. Also, that you reference the secular as well as the regligious aspect of your topics. It is stated in scripture, that “people perish for lack of knowledge.” To be totally informed about anything, you need to know or be aware of both sides of a situation. Thank you for standing up to your beliefs, and keeping your focus on God.
I just wanted to say thank-you first for putting the religion into your teaching and two for not appologizing or removing it after someone told you they didn’t like it. I think it is high time more Christians stop appologizing and worrying about offending these nonChristians and start worrying about offending God by not standing up for Him!
I love you religious view, I agree that we understand God wants the best for us but we don’t always get what that could look like.
Leslie,
Personally, I love that “religious” tone in all of your teachings! That was why I first resonated with you all those years ago! And I agree 100% with how powerful meditation can be… when I do it consistently (and that’s the catch – it’s simple but not always easy to stay consistent with it)! Thanks for the great work that you do!
I just finished reading a book this morning by Dr. Caroline Leaf entitled, “Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking and Health.” In it, Dr. Leaf explains and walks readers through a “21-Day Brain Detox Plan” using something she terms the “5-Step Switch On Your Brain Learning Process.” Her work specifically links science with scripture and talks about weakening the negative thoughts in our lives and strengthening the positive, desirable thoughts so that we can build a positive present and future. It summarizes and validates so much of what I have been seeking for — and discovering! — over the last few years! And the entire time I’ve been reading it, I’ve been thinking, “THAT’S why ‘The Jackrabbit Factor,’ ‘Portal to Genius’ and ‘Hidden Treasures’ work so well!!!” She explains the mechanism(s) behind the process. Two years ago I gave “Portal to Genius” to my family members as Christmas presents; this year they may be getting “Switch on Your Brain” as a follow-up!