Deepak Chopra is an Indian physician and author of numerous bestselling books on personal well-being. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success is one of his best-known works, and describes his theory on self-care, which focuses on discovering our spiritual side. The book was an instant hit, and many readers contacted Chopra, asking him to explain how the same principles could be applied to parenting. The result is The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success for Parents, in which Chopra illustrates the value of desire in a child's development, and the parent’s role in guiding the child to gain awareness of their desire as a powerful life force.
Desire is a true driving force, and one of the key impulses in a person’s life. As such, not only does desire influence the more practical aspects of life, but also our sense of identity, creativity, and the feeling of belonging to something bigger than us. In children, desire is like an unstoppable force, which encourages them to feel curious about everything they experience. Parents must not suppress this force, but learn how to channel it effectively. According to the author, all parents hope to see their children achieve success, but he also makes a few important clarifications. In today’s materialistic world, we tend to define success in tangible terms and concepts, such as having a well-paid job, being able to buy things, being celebrated on social media, and so on. Chopra, however, maintains that success is actually defined by who we are as people, and not by what we have. Achieving results merely in terms of material status symbols means nothing without also achieving access to a deeper, spiritual sense of self-fulfilment, founded on the power of desire and a feeling of communion with the Universe.
It is also important to note that the book approaches the concept of spirituality from a religious perspective, but we do not necessarily have to share the same beliefs. All we have to do is translate the meaning of certain references to faith or creationist thinking, such as the concept that everything is an emanation of God, and simply associate them with a fascination for the mystery of life. The Universe is full of beauty, recurring connections and structures, and an energy that permeates every aspect of life. Most parents will probably be familiar with this concept when they catch a glimpse of this life force radiating in their child’s eyes. In order to cultivate our own spirituality, and of course that of our child, we need to embrace love, compassion, and freedom.
Deepak Chopra speaks of success in terms of spirituality, which he defines as our capacity to love, to experience deep emotions, to be grateful for our life, and to find our place in the world. Desire drives every human being to seek these sensations. Unfortunately, however, as time goes by, and we become influenced by external forces, it is all too easy to repress our purest, childlike side. Parents have a responsibility to raise resilient, aware, human beings, who are able to cope with life's challenges without becoming overwhelmed by harmful influences. According to the author, we can do this by following the Seven Spiritual Laws. Human beings are made up of a mind, body, and spirit, and the spirit provides the key to living a full and satisfying life.
