Lessons from “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” by Deepak Chopra

Have you ever wondered why some people are such visible successes and why are some people painful failures? A couple of weeks back I read The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra and it’s completely changed the way I see success. You don’t have to work harder or make more money in order to be successful. Instead, it shows you how to achieve success joyfully by following the laws of nature.

The Law of Pure Potentiality

The first law is that your true self is pure consciousness. Each of us has infinite potential. We can access this potential by sitting in solitude and meditating.

Think of your mind as a pond. When the pond is calm, the image becomes calm. When you meditate, the pond becomes calm and reflects your image. One morning, I sat in silence for 20 minutes. At first, I was worried about both work and family. But my mind became calm, my thoughts were clearer during the day, and I was making better decisions. This law made me realize that we are connected to more than just our jobs or roles.

To apply this law, follow these steps:

• Prioritize silence every day.
• Stay away from technology.
• Spend time in nature.
• Accept people for who they are, and don’t judge their worth by their appearance.

Less criticism creates energy. My friend stopped criticizing her work and started enjoying it. This allowed her to channel her natural creativity instead of her inner criticism, and she became a better artist as a result.

The Law of Giving

The second law shows that in the flow of energy in the universe, giving and receiving are not opposites but two sides of the same coin. Life is all about exchange.

This law changed my perspective on generosity. I used to think I had to save resources, so I was frugal. Now, I realize that giving creates space in my life.

For example, a small business owner I know started offering free samples with every purchase. At first, she was worried about the price, but her happy customers told their friends, and the word spread. Within a few months, she doubled her sales.

Practice the Law of Giving:

• Give something to everyone you meet. A smile, a kind word, a prayer.
• Receive gifts with gratitude.
• Let attention, affection, gratitude, and love flow into your life in abundance.

Even if you don’t have money, you can still give a kind word or listen. These are more valuable gifts than material gifts.

The Law of Karma

This third law pertains to cause and effect. Actions create power, the power of energy that comes back to us. You only receive what you give.

Every choice has its pros and cons. I remember helping my neighbor move furniture. A few months later, when my car broke down, my neighbor gave me a ride to work for a week. What we do for the world is what the world does for us later when we are in need.

To apply this rule:

• Act fearlessly, fearing the consequences of your actions.
• Ask yourself, “Will this decision bring joy to me and others?”
• Don’t be foolish.
• Everything you do today affects your life tomorrow. Good intentions can lead to good actions someday.

The Law of Least Effort

You don’t have to work to make flowers bloom; nature moves without effort. The fourth law says that we can do more by doing less.

This law doesn’t say that laziness is good. My sister had an abusive boss for years, and she kept resisting, but it ruined her life. On the other hand, when I accepted reality and focused on my work instead of fighting the world, my easygoing boss gave me amazing assignments.

To use this rule:

• Let go: Accept everything; accept people as they are.
• Accept situations as they are instead of blaming others.
• If you’re stubborn, you’ll get outraged. Making any change is annoying.

One time, I was stuck in traffic and was getting frustrated. I remembered this rule and decided to use the delay to listen to a podcast that I was looking forward to anyway. Now, things that could have been a waste of time have become valuable. Resistance makes water muddy, and acceptance makes water clear.

The Law of Intention

(Intention, desire — for some, it’s a tool to avoid suffering or to enjoy karma.)

Whenever we come together to make a plan, we focus our minds, and consequently, many options are presented to us.

I know a teacher at a school where students weren’t reading to their full potential. She wanted to establish a very special reading program. At first, she had no budget or support. But with pure passion, she made her words a reality and resolved to be no less than what she had committed to. After a few months, the program was funded by local businesses and volunteers. The teacher had a particular goal, and therefore, she had their full support. This law works because the energy that drives attention must be directed toward a goal.

Under this law of attention, attention is exhausting, and intention is transformative. What you focus on expands in your life.

Steps to apply this law:

• Write down your desires and dreams.
• In everything, assume there’s a reason.
• Be encouraged daily!

The Law of Detachment

The sixth law is that if you want something material, you must detach yourself from it. This may sound counterintuitive, but it works.

Imagine a child with a toy. Holding onto it so tightly that no one else can touch it. In situations like these, our desires can generate anxiety and fear. When we detach, we have our intention, but we are no longer attached or obsessed with the outcome, as it has been already decided.

To practice detachment:

• Don’t worry about the outcome you’re seeking.
• Accept that life is and always will be uncertain.
• You need to focus on what you can control: your behavior, not your results.

Farmers don’t just throw seeds in the ground and cross their fingers. They don’t record their progress daily, but they trust the system to do so. It’s how farmers do it; trusting the process, and indeed, we can do it too. Just set some intentions and let life do the rest. Doing so, often brings us much more than we could have ever imagined.

The Law of Dharma

This last law tells us that you, too, have a special gift and a special way of using it to help others. Combine these three factors, and you have the recipe for infinite growth.

I met an accountant. She had been successful but felt empty inside. In retrospect, she realized that her true talent was teaching. Now, she teaches personal finance to high school students, and she loves it. 

This is how you discover your dharma:

• Identify your skills.
• Think about how those skills could help others.
• Discover a career or business that fits your abilities and your state of happiness.

Too often success seems like a one-dimensional, mundane goal where the criteria are wealth, status, or fame. But the Law of Dharma shows us that we are more prosperous by dedicating ourselves to our talents and the benefit of others.

Conclusion

The seven spiritual truths presented here are not “achievements” that we must “work” (or “strive”) to obtain. They do not encourage or teach enlightenment but rather awareness and presence. With these principles, I have experienced greater peace of mind and improved my relationships. I have ridden and hiked without a helmet. A significant challenge brings me immense peace.

And that is the magic of these laws. There is no secret, no experience required, no regimen to follow. What you need to do is understand the rules and apply them. I keep a small notebook with the seven laws in my wallet. Every day, I choose a law to focus on.

Success isn’t where you arrive; you don’t “arrive” at all; it’s who you are. Follow these laws, and you’ll have a life full of purpose, happiness, and confidence in any outcome.

The next time you feel stressed or under pressure, try practicing one of these laws. You’ll be surprised how much flexibility can count. You’ll learn that you don’t get anywhere by fighting the universe.