We then draw into our awareness the Law of Giving and Receiving. In every moment of every day we are in dynamic exchange with the universe. With every breath we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, an exchange essential to life. The Law of Giving and Receiving reminds us to be conscious of the flow of life. When our intention is to expand happiness, every action of either giving or receiving becomes life supporting.
The Law of Karma is an important tool that helps us become more conscious decision makers. It reminds us that we have control over our choices but not over their consequences, therefore, we should use the intelligence of our mind and body to make the most conscious choice available to us at every moment. An evolutionary choice is the choice that benefits all involved. One way to put the Law of Karma into practice is to witness the choices available in each moment. For example, while practicing yoga we can observe the possible ways we can move through resistance in each posture.
I am a visual person. In my retreat and workshop lectures I like to use the following imagery to understand what Buddhists call “the monkey mind” – that chattering, screaming, jumping up and down monkey mind. In your mind’s eye you are holding an ordinary clear drinking glass filled ¾ of the way to the top with plain water. Go to the nearest potted plant and get a tablespoon of soil. Deposit the soil into the water and stir vigorously. See the debris swirling around? That’s the monkey mind. Now take the glass of water and place it on a table and just let it sit for a while. Notice how the swirling starts to slow, how the debris starts to drift to the bottom. When a few more minutes have passed notice that the debris is now settled on the bottom of the glass and the water at the top is clear.
When you are making choices and decisions in your life - both big and small - would you rather those choices/decisions be made in the midst of the swirling monkey mind or in the clarity when the debris has settled? Embracing the Law of Karma spurs us to be more conscious choice makers.
My personal favorite of the spiritual laws is the Law of Least Effort - achieving maximum benefit from minimal effort. We are reminded that of all possible paths to an intended outcome, there is one that is most efficient. Notice how nature’s intelligence operates with effortless ease! Observing the movement of the stars, the flow of tides, and the blossoming of flowers, we don’t see strain or resistance.
We can put the Law of Least Effort into practice by accepting and relinquishing the need to struggle against the present moment. By accepting the present moment as it is, we are in the best position to influence the flow of life in the most evolutionary direction (making the decision that benefits everyone involved – not just one side or the other).
So, now that we understand and acknowledge we are Pure Potential, drawing into our awareness the Laws (or principles) of Giving and Receiving, Karma and Least Effort we can now more readily experience and express the Law of Intention and Desire. As you ask the soul question What Do I Really Want you activate the vibration of Intention and Desire. What is your deepest desire? Perhaps you are dreaming of more nourishing relationships, a new career or more abundance. Every desire stems from the thought that the fulfillment of that desire will lead to more happiness. We can practice this principle by cultivating an inner attitude of surrender, trusting that when things are not going exactly according to the plan, the universe has a grander design.
As we continue to raise our vibration we are more receptive to practice The Law of Detachment. It reminds us of the difference between internally and externally generated happiness. It’s easy to accept what is unfolding in our lives when we are experiencing peace, harmony and abundance. It is more challenging to be detached when we are experiencing pain, loss, and frustration. Yet, it is often our resistance to a situation that creates more anguish than what is actually happening, as our fears about the future compound our distress.