Health Care: Taking Personal Responsibility

With all the buzz around health care right now, it's surprising to me that no one's really talking about personal responsibility or the prevention of sickness versus the treatment of sickness. That's why I've put together a this FREE 5-course video program designed to help you invest in your greatest wealth: Your health! By enrolling in Taking Personal Responsibility, I'll show you what it takes to be truly healthy... Don't wait for the Administration or anyone else to take care of your health... Sign up for this FREE program today, and every few days, I'll teach you specific, simple things that will create profound impacts in your life, your health and vitality, and your overall well-being... To your continued wealth and fulfillment, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International, Inc.

Happy Father's Day!

As we near Father's Day, now's the time to acknowledge that active and dynamic quality he nurtured in you. Check out the video now (and remember to honor your father this weekend)! Grab the podcast. To your continued wealth and fulfillment, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International, Inc.

Get Resourceful and Break the Cycle of Doom and Gloom

Back in September of last year, Alan Greenspan, the former Federal Reserve Chair, claimed that we had entered the worst economic crisis he had ever seen. In the months that followed, economic indicators got a whole lot worse and the news media (you'll recall we discussed the "business of fear" in a previous blog) couldn't stop blaring the siren song of: "this is the worst it's been since the Great Depression, yada, yada, ya!" And, so the story continues. For those of us trying to stay rational, live without being on hyper alert or suffering daily panic attacks; what are we supposed to think, feel and do? Are these experts giving us responsible analysis of a dire situation, or is this economic doom and gloom a one-sided story that's perhaps doing us more harm than good? Both are true. But you have a lot more power than you think to not only survive this storm, but to thrive! Despite any real challenges you may be experiencing--and let's face it, they are out there--there are simple ways to empower yourself and start using your challenges to your advantage. Challenges are an integral part of life--so what are you going to do about them? By concentrating on something over which you have total control--your thoughts, feelings and actions--the positive changes can be swifter than you can imagine. You move towards what you focus on In last month's blog, I wrote about how energy flows where attention goes. Thankfully, that's a reality that's gained serious traction as of late. So, too, is that fact that what you focus on expands. Meaning: give anything your time and attention and suddenly you start seeing a lot more of it in your life--both bad and good. But even though these principles are becoming more accepted, that doesn't mean we don't need frequent reminders to place our attention on what we want and choose for our lives, and away from what we don't want. Particularly when life gets challenging, bad habits take over, don't they? So you've got to be vigilant and constantly on your game. For instance, there's a big difference between checking the online headlines each day to see what's happening in the world so that you're informed versus falling asleep to the news so that messages of murder, mayhem, sickness, and poverty replay like a soundtrack for eight hours in your unconscious mind. You may have to be informed; you don't have to be inundated. Moreover, there's a massive difference between looking at your finances and putting a debt reduction plan in place (realistic and proactive) versus staring at your bills every day until you're paralyzed by images of living in a cardboard box and pushing all your worldly goods around in a shopping cart (a fear-based self-fulfilling prophecy you don't want!). Bottom line reminder: FOCUS on what you WANT! See it. Feel it. Live it. Be it. Only you can safeguard what you allow into that fabulous mind of yours. At the risk of sounding like a broken record... energy flows where attention goes! Watch what the masses are doing and do the opposite This is not always easy. We're hammered every day with ideas from the media, our friends and associates. You've got to break out of this conversation if you ever hope to live up to your potential. Those who are currently thriving today know and believe that they can and will thrive regardless of economic indicators, and they're looking for opportunities. Warren Buffet said, "When other people are greedy be cautious. When other people are cautious be greedy." While I'd personally choose a different word than greedy, the philosophy is clear. Think, feel, and act opposite from the collective. I once saw a beautiful oceanfront home in Carmel, California, right on the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course--an estate worth many millions of dollars. The family who lived there had a tale to tell about how they acquired it. During WWII, the owners believed that German or Japanese soldiers would attack the West Coast of the U.S., so they sold their estate for a song--ten cents on the dollar, to be exact. The new owners, who had been there for fifty-plus years by the time I ran into them, were still celebrating their good fortune! Panic creates panic. Level heads open up the space for forward-thinking and forward movement. One of the most surprising historical truths from the much touted Great Depression is that more millionaires were created at that time than at any other time in our history. But that makes perfect sense when you think about it. When millions of people panic and sell their assets below market value, what happens? Value and opportunity and "deals" spring up like weeds after a spring rain. The same holds true today; there's never been a better time in our generation to find bargains--in real estate especially. The fact is that someone has to do well regardless of economic indicators... why not you? The people coming out ahead, not surprisingly, have one thing in common, which brings me to my our next topic... It's not about resources it's about resourcefulness Okay, if you don't have money, you're not going to be buying even inexpensive estates right now, no matter the "steal" of the listing price. I get it. But, what makes certain people thrive in tough times? Are they luckier or smarter than the average person? It's simple, really. They're resourceful. Resources always flow to he or she who is most resourceful. That may not seem possible, or even fair, but it's true nonetheless. Physics tells us that all there ever was or shall ever be is already here, and that there are plenty of resources because energy can never be created or destroyed. If you're having a problem wrapping your mind around that--having seen the haunting images of children without water or heat, for example--let me say that real answers to those problems abound. Maybe you haven't yet seen the Youtube videos (although a quick search will reveal them), but there are scientists who pull water straight from air vapor (no kidding), create clean fuel from burning salt water with very little heat (I know, that's a mind twister), and power entire factories on cow dung (that's some cool shit)! And, those are just a few of the innovations that only a few years ago would have seemed impossible. I wonder what magic you can create in your own life? We're constantly hearing that we're going to run out of oil. I say who cares! We have wind, solar, and plenty other resources we've not even yet thought of. We just need to get resourceful and quit hanging onto the past. T. Boone Pickens is so excited about wind power these days that he's putting billions of dollars into a wind farm in Texas. Now let me ask you: what would cause an oil billionaire to get that excited about wind? He's resourceful. Once again, resources always flow to he and she who are resourceful. Train yourself to look for opportunities I mentioned this earlier but it bears repeating, and repeating. Thermodynamics tells us that "that which you are seeking is also seeking you."As a species, we're not conditioned to look for opportunities in times of crisis. On the contrary, we're conditioned to play defense. Defense says, "I'm going to hold on; I'm going to pull-back, I'm going to hoard--even if what I'm hoarding is the most meager of results." That's a strategy... a strategy of scarcity. And it's a self-fulfilling prophecy of defeat. Clinging onto something to protect what little you have is focusing on the not having and the not enough. And, when you're focusing on not having something, you're not looking at what you can do to be resourceful. Most of us are constantly looking at external indicators, but your internal indicators are where your power resides. A wise prophet once said, "Judge not by appearances." While most of us in Western society have heard that a time or three... it's an entirely different thing to live it. What are you seeking? To create anything you desire and deserve you must practice what I call going 3 for 3. Notice anyone who's knocking it down, regardless of economic or any external indicators, and they're going 3 for 3. Their thoughts, feelings and actions are all firing in alignment. What are most people seeking right now with their 3 for 3 strategy? They're thinking defeated, they're feeling defeated, and they're acting defeated. Therefore, they're defeated. Let that not be you. Begin right now... this very moment... to constantly train yourself to think resourceful, feel resourceful, and act resourceful; and you'll very quickly see your life transform before your very eyes. Test me on this one, and watch the resources you seek seek you! To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International, Inc. P.S. Weigh in with your comments below or at the Huffington Post.

Happy Mother's Day!

In honor of this special day, I've put together a video for you... As we near Mother's Day, now's the time to acknowledge that receptive, embracing and loving quality she nurtured in you. Watch it now (and remember to honor your mother this weekend)! Grab the podcast. To your continued wealth and fulfillment, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International, Inc.

The Business of Fear

For months now, we've been literally inundated with how crummy the economy is and how, in the words of many (including our president), it's the worst recession since the Great Depression. Now if that weren't enough, the media has a new drum to beat: Swine Flu. Look, let's be rational here for a minute (something the media can't really afford to do)... You have a greater chance of dying of lung cancer or diabetes than you do of swine flu. I wonder how many people are watching the news in the morning worrying about a pig virus while they eat their Krispy Kreme and smoke a Camel? If I come across as irreverent, my irreverence is directed at the media, not at those individuals being programmed daily with the latest scare tactic. It's time to wake up and take a look at the facts. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent, stated, "In the United States, over 60,000 people per year contract the seasonal flu." According to the CDC, about 36,000 of those who contract seasonal flu worldwide actually die from it. In contrast, according to the latest USA Today tally, there are a grand total of 695 cases of verified swine flu across (get this) 15 countries! Yet, for the 30 minutes CNN was on during my morning workout, the anchors droned on for a full fifteen minutes about the swine flu. And the TV next to that one had Fox on... They were talking about (you guessed it) the potential "pandemic" that has less verified cases than the 822 people per day (300,000 per year) that die from obesity. But you know what? Fear is a business. And it's oh so sellable, isn't it? It's in the media's best interest to keep things dramatic. It draws us in and keeps us watching for fear we might miss something that will save us from being flat broke with a pig virus. I will also mention that it's in the Obama Administration's best interest to address the pig virus fast as well so they aren't perceived to be out of touch like our past administration was during Katrina. It's in the drug company's best interest to pump the fear of disease onto the airwaves consistently. Everyone has an agenda, but that agenda is rarely the harmony and well-being of our nation or our world. The world needs a voice of reason. We each individually need to wake up, take a stand and decide what type of life we choose to live. Those who continually take at face value what they're being fed will continually get smacked in the face. And what about the "economic crisis" we hear so much about? I'm not suggesting that we're not in a recession... But the greatest one since the Great Depression? Untrue! Just take a moment and reflect back on the 70's, and you'll recall that you couldn't even buy expensive gas. Remember the odd/even days and the lines at the pump? Gas is plentiful today. In the 70's, interest rates were 24% and unemployment was over 10% (as it also was in the early 80's). Today, you can get a 30-year fixed loan for around 5%, and unemployment is at about 8% nationwide. It's not the worst recession since the Great Depression. However, give the media long enough, and it'll scare us right into creating it. Energy flows where attention goes. What we neglect to remember (and what we're never reminded of) is that 8% unemployment means 92% percent of the people in this country are employed! I guarantee you'll be hard pressed to hear a news anchor on any station stating, "Great news today! 92% of the people in our country were employed and received their paycheck last week." The Wall Street game and the economy are as much psychological as financial. Peter Lynch, one of the greatest investors of all time, stated, "If you spend more than 15 minutes a year worrying about the market, you've wasted 12 minutes." How about you? The things you give attention come to life. In fact, attention equals love. Think about it. If you love your mate, do you give him or her attention? What about if you love your kids... Do you give them attention? The answer is obvious. Attention equals love. So what are you giving your attention to? If you're really honest, you may realize you're in love with your misery. That's right. You love your misery because you're attending to it all the time. So we continue to give attention to our crummy economy. "Give us more fear," we unconsciously plead... It keeps our endorphins pumping! What's worse than being broke? Being sick and broke. Oh boy, now that's really scary! Energy flows where attention goes. You think we'd learn our lesson after Y2K. Or how about the eight years of the "Global War on Terror." Are we any more at peace because of it? Not even close. Think about it... We haven't had one major terrorist issue since 9/11, and yet we're more terrorized then we've ever been. I'm on the road 200 days a year, and not one single day during the last eight years have I heard an announcement from TSA that the threat level was less than orange or yellow. What does orange mean anyway? Who knows, but it sounds pretty scary doesn't it? Our consistent focus of attention is feeding the bonfire of terror. It rages on, and we wonder why it never goes out. Let's wake up and take a stand. Your consistent thoughts, feelings and actions determine the results you create in all areas. In fact, the formula for success in any area is to: Think, Feel, Act. There's never been a time in recent history where it's been more vital to direct and control your attention. What you're allowing into your consistent thoughts and feelings is going to determine your subsequent actions, as well as the results you produce. Turn off the business of fear. Read good books, watch inspiring movies and listen to educational CDs. These practices make you better and more resourceful. When you change your thoughts and feelings, your actions must follow, and your life will change. The time is now to take action: big, bold, immediate. For fate favors the bold. When you let go of the fear and refuse to allow it to be pumped into your home and head on a daily basis, you can place your attention on becoming more creative, resourceful and empowered. Resources always flow to those who are more resourceful. They always have and always will. Get resourceful, lock your attention on what you say you love, and you'll have more to love. You deserve it... And so does our world. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International, Inc.

Conscious Capitalism

Check out my first post as a Huffington Post blogger: Conscious Capitalism: Taking Actions That Are Good for Self, Others and the Entire World. Here's an excerpt: Just three short months ago, we let out a collective sigh of relief as we stood on the precipice of a new era in American politics. Though we weren't sure how President Obama would respond to the many challenges at hand, many of us shared in his determination to shift our country's fear-based focus into a mindset of hope and progress. When the election dust had settled, we began to tell ourselves that we'll all be fine now. All of our needs will be met. Well...if you're one of the many who think that Obama's stimulus package will miraculously save us, that home foreclosures will magically cease, consumer confidence will instantly increase, and everyone will go back to work in the blink of an eye...think again. Click for the rest of the post and be sure leave me your thoughts and commments: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-arthur-ray/conscious-capitalism-taki_b_193743.html To your continued wealth and fulfillment, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International, Inc.

The Two Types of Stress

Maybe you've heard me talk about the two different types of stress lately... Well, since April is Stress Awareness month, it's the perfect time to examine the role stress plays for you so you can make necessary changes to be more productive, improve your health and enhance the overall quality of your life. Because I know how useful this information has been for me in my life, I put together a video for you with some little-known truths about stress I think you'll find really beneficial... What you may not be aware of is that there are actually two different types of stress, one of which you can literally use to propel you to greater levels of growth and success than you've ever known before. Grab the podcast. To your continued wealth and fulfillment, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. If you missed my Today show appearance yesterday on how to thrive in the workplace over 50, check it out here...

Harmonic Wealth: The Anniversary

Wow, it's hard to believe it's been a full year since Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want hit bookstores across the world. In fact, today is the one year anniversary of the New York Times best seller's release! The accomplishments that many readers have told me they've achieved since discovering the concepts of Harmonic Wealth® are out of this world... Multiplying their income numerous times over, starting or flourishing a successful business, getting into a phenomenal state of health and fitness, and finding and creating loving, connected relationships are among the recurring themes included in the countless testimonials that continue to pour in. In honor of this special anniversary, please enjoy this special excerpt from Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want... If you've read it before, it's a great refresher. If you haven't read it yet, when would now be the time to start? HARMONY—THE ELEGANT WHOLE Maybe you know people who make millions of dollars a year but don't have fulfilling relationships or good health. Or people who spend their lives committed to religion or spirituality, literally touching the divine, but have holes in their shoes. We all know people who have razor-sharp intellects but are out of shape and out of touch. There's a much more integrated, fulfilling way to live: I call it Harmonic Wealth. Harmonic Wealth isn't just about material abundance—although that's a fun and extremely necessary component. It's about abundance in all areas of your life. Think of harmony as a musical performance, in which different instruments move to weave a magical tapestry. Now, apply this to your life. Wouldn't you like to have all the different parts of your life moving toward an elegant whole that's more than the sum of its parts? That's Harmonic Wealth. Most people equate wealth with money. While money is a part of wealth, it's so much more than that. True wealth is a state of harmony and well-being. I know people who are multi-multimillionaires who would gladly hand over half their net worth to have more health, loving relationships, or a personal connection with something beyond themselves. A truly wealthy individual experiences harmony in all facets of his or her life—a sense of fulfillment and well-being that transcends the momentary happiness of lopsided achievements in one or two areas while neglecting the others. So, you're about to learn how to have an abundance of well-being in the five key areas of life, what I call the Five Pillars of Wealth: Financial, Relational, Mental, Physical, and Spiritual. Without these five pillars, you might be rich, but you'll never be wealthy. Interestingly enough, I've found that the more you reach this state of true wealth, the more money rushes to you—and all that money can provide. The universe is at your command and lines up in joyous support of your awakening. Creating Harmonic Wealth brings an overall sense of well-being, fulfillment, even unity. Understand that your pillars are interdependent: When you attend to each of them, all increase in strength. When you take care of your health by working out regularly and eating well, you create multiple benefits. Sexual relationships become enhanced by your greater confidence and stamina. Business booms from your increased energy. You're more alert and receptive in spiritual pursuits. You're more alive. Similarly, spiritual growth translates to deepening intimacy in friendships and romantic relationships, fueling your desire to keep up with your physical exercise. Research in the evolution of consciousness now proves that cross training is the key to exponential growth. This is a fundamental concept we'll be dealing with in this journey. Through revealing personal stories and case studies, ancient and cutting-edge wisdom, and simple but powerful exercises, we'll look at how to make the most of this integrative way of life. What's more, we'll reveal how, with Harmonic Wealth, you can create true wealth by going 3 for 3 in the five main areas of life. Going "3 for 3" is what happens when your thoughts, your feelings, and your actions are all firing simultaneously and in alignment. I'll give you proven action steps that are practical and easy to implement—the same steps that have catapulted my life and work into the world. I'll keep them down, dirty, and simple, because if you're anything like me, you want your results yesterday already. WHY BALANCE IS BOGUS I'm a great believer in harmony, but balance is bogus. Many teachers talk about balance, and guess what? Not one of them is balanced. I know; I used to be one of them. The only people who are perfectly balanced are six feet under and it's not your time yet. Balance in this world cannot be achieved, so get over it. Think of a scale. In perfect balance, nothing's happening. There's no dynamism, no life or vibrancy. Now, think of a jazz band in action—the life and vibrancy are palpable, aren't they? The performers in this band have less to do with playing the melody as written and more to do with improvising. They give life to nuance and the music takes shape in the moment. That's harmony. The different parts aren't balanced—sometimes the saxophone leads. Sometimes it's the bass, or the drum or lead guitar. Whatever instrument is out in front at the moment, they're all contributing, all creating that amazing thing called music. Each musician plays his part of a magical, magnificent whole. I want to encourage you to think of your life like this. When you're in harmony, some days your parenting skills will lead. Other times it'll be your job or your school. On certain occasions your marriage will take center stage. Sometimes you're going to be running on two hours' sleep, having worn the same clothes three days in a row. It may not be pretty, but that may be just what it takes to finish the business plan that lands you the big dollars and the nourishing rest and relaxation that follows. If you had been in perfect balance, you never would have pulled those crazy hours to begin with, and look at what you'd have missed. So, with my way, you're going to have to get used to the idea that you're never going to be in perfect balance, nor would you want to. Perfect balance is death, death of mind and spirit. Hopefully I've just lightened your load if you're good at traveling on guilt trips on account of your lack of balance. It's time to get over it. Knowing that nothing dynamic's happening when you're in balance, why would you want to be? Harmony is where it's at; harmony is dynamic and full of life, even if you choose to venture temporarily into choppy seas. While it's true that you can't control the waves, who said you can't learn to surf? If you're still tempted to strain for balance, you've been forewarned that it's always going to be an impossible dream. My prayer is that you'll see throughout the chapters how liberating it is to cease chasing this illusion. Like this passage? Click here to grab your own copy of the book today, and pick up where you left off. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International

Your Waking Dream

Science shows us that your reality is actually a waking dream. Here's a quick video I shot for you during Modern Magick: The Dreamer and the Dream. Enjoy! Grab the podcast. By the way, take a minute to follow me on Twitter... See you soon!

Vision versus Sight

I just put together a quick but extremely effective video for you that you've simply got to see. It's an easy-to-understand concept that has transformed my life and the lives of hundreds of thousands of others... Once you grasp it for yourself, you'll be armed with the tools and techniques to create what you want out of life, no matter what's going on in the world around you. In fact, there could be no more of a perfect time to use it to get big results than right now. Take the next 7 minutes and check it out... Grab the podcast. It'll only take a few minutes to watch, but the possibilities of what you can accomplish once you learn are endless. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. If you're not already following me on Twitter, now's the time to start... During my Dreamer and the Dream experience next week, I'll be keeping you up to date on the action. Follow me at http://twitter.com/JamesARay.

Create your own luck...

With St. Patrick's Day in full swing, I'm sure you're hearing lots of references to luck, good fortune and fate, as you usually do around this time of year... Well, there's a secret about luck I want to share with you... Once you understand this concept, there's no stopping the amount of fortune, blessings and "luck" you can create for yourself... Anytime. Watch the video below or grab the podcast to learn more. Happy St. Patrick's Day! James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International

Ten Tips for Thriving This Economic Winter

Many of you have read and commented on our recent conversation about how it's a season to sow, how there's so much fear in our world right now and how it's related to some of the universal laws that modern society has forgotten. If you missed the conversation or need a refresher, check it out here: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. Well, you asked for some quick, easy-to-apply tips on how to thrive in this economic winter and on how to apply the knowledge you learned during our conversation... So here you go! Clearly define what inspires you. There's a big difference between taking action out of inspiration versus desperation. Use this season as an opportunity to hibernate into the recesses of your own mind and define what you choose to create in your next spring. Control your focus. Energy flows where attention goes. Are you focusing on lack or opportunity? Feed your mind. What's your constant mental diet? Do you spend hours in front of the scare news or are you reading good books, attending more positive seminars, watching uplifting DVDs and listening to powerful CDs? Strengthen your body. Your physical health and vitality have a tremendous impact on your performance as well as your mental and emotional fitness. Exercise releases stress as well as strengthen your body and mind. Inventory your friends. Doom and gloom attracts more doom and gloom. Jettison those "energy vampires" around you and surround yourself with opportunity seekers. Quiet your mind. Take time to meditate daily and to slow down if only for a few minutes. Ten to fifteen minutes of meditation will relieve hours of stress and increase creativity and resourcefulness. Rid your life of escapist activities. Overindulgence in TV, sleep and alcohol only accelerate the problems you're attempting to avoid. Make a daily gratitude list. Focusing on all the good, gifts and God in your life puts you in the right line of thought, feeling and their subsequent actions, which will attract and create more good, gifts and God. Change your attitude. Realize that everything that's happened in your life thus far is here to serve you, teach you and help you grow. Find the lessons in your past results, forgive yourself for anything you could have done better and apply the lesson to move forward and create a better future. Get resourceful. For the next three days, go to a place where you can have uninterrupted time... Come up with 20 new ideas to grow your income, create new results and improve your life. You cannot leave your spot until you have twenty. And no editing! All ideas are good ideas. Do this for three successive days with 20 new ideas each day. Now take your list of 60 unique ideas and pick the three to five most powerful and leveraged ones to put into action. Pick these three to five based on: ease of implementation, rate of return and speed of return. And so during this winter season, remember: It's not about resources... there are plenty of them. It's about resourcefulness. Get resourceful and get busy. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. I wanted to give a HUGE thanks to the members of the World Wealth® Society and the Journey Expansion Teams... Together, we were able to provide meals for over 1,300 families (5,300 people) this Thanksgiving! Here's to building a world-wide community... No matter the "season"!

It's a Season to Sow... (Conclusion)

I think Thanksgiving is the perfect day to wrap up the conversation we've been having surrounding the universal laws and our current economic situation. We talked about the Zodiac, the Aquarian Age, the seasons and how they all relate to your life. Please read Part 1 and Part 2 of this message before reading further. You'll be glad you did. Were you able to see the similar patterns of movement we're going through in our world and in our economy? Well, the cycles of our world and nation are longer than the cycles of our calendar year. Likewise, the precession of the cosmic ages is longer still than the cycles of our world. But the principles are the same: As above so below. We've just moved into winter in our world, which is fitting as the winter of 2008 approaches. By the way, for those naysayers and doomsday prophets... This is not the first "winter" of our economic life. The US has had six economic winters since the 1950s. Winter is never a time to despair. Quite the contrary, coming from a long run of sowing and reaping, it's now time to re-group, to reflect upon the lessons learned, to possibly spend more time with our family in celebration of what we've accomplished and most definitely plan for our next spring. Here's what we know: First, there will always be a winter. While some may wish for eternal spring and summer (and even move to California to experience longer periods of it), there's always a winter. Now if you choose to be depressed and in a negative-feeling vibration because of winter, that choice will do absolutely nothing to change the season... The season will run still its course. Likewise if you absolutely love summer and wish and want and hope it to always be... It does nothing to change natural rhythms. Seasons come and seasons go. Tide ebbs and flows. You can be Scrooge all day long and winter will not disappear. You can worry all day long about how you're going to get through winter... but you and I both know you can't worry enough to fix anything. So if "thinking positive" won't speed up winter, what's the point? Well, your negative fixation does majorly impact your current experience of the season. Likewise, it impacts in a negative way the seeds you're sowing for your future. You see, unlike the farmer... We're sowing and reaping all the time. You're sowing and reaping every single day, every single season. Second, there's never been two winters in a row--never. Oh yes, there's been some really long and tough winters (like in Winnipeg, Canada), but there's never been two winters in a row. And there never will be. Now how many people go into winter and start spouting end of the world predictions? How many people worry that winter is all that we're ever going to experience again? How many people predict in winter that we're basically screwed and we better liquidate our patio furniture and turn the pool into parking garage that we can rent out for extra income? Not those who are wise. And yet, how often do you recently see this type of mentality going on with many in our world? With a true wisdom and understanding, you can be one of those that utilize winter to your advantage... Because here's one final thing we always know. No matter what... following every single winter, what comes? That's right, spring--no exception. So what are you going to do while we're in winter? How can you align with the theme of a higher/spiritual mind and rise above appearances? Because I guarantee you that what you're doing now is determining your next spring. And I can assure you... Spring is coming. Maybe not as fast as you'd like (it usually never does) but it's coming nonetheless. Now. Get out a pad and pen and answer these questions... How can you use this time to more deeply explore the choices you made in our last economic spring and summer? How can you use this learning and grow for the upcoming sowing and reaping season? What will you do better or differently next time? How can you use this time to possibly get in better physical shape so you're ready to rumble when spring comes again? Your physical health and fitness will always have an impact on the results you produce. It either works for you or against you. How can you use this time to meditate and quiet your mind more after the busyness of summer? How can you read and journal more? Take that college course or attend that seminar you've put off for so long? How can you become more mentally fit? How about spending more time with your family or those you love? How about connecting with an old friend that you haven't had the chance to connect with during the busy summer? How about build a better and deeper relationship with those clients you've neglected? Now there's an opportunity worth its weight in gold! Take some time out of your day to ponder these types of questions deeply. Everything has a season and your opportunity is to celebrate and utilize the season to your advantage or to feel scared and miserable. There's never been a better time than right now to invest in your own consciousness... in your own mental and emotional mastery. That's what the wise are doing. You see, for nearly eight years in America, we've focused our entire attention upon war and terror to the exclusion of sound economic policies and regulations. And now that needs some attention. As individuals, we've focused our attention upon bigger mortgages and gambling in real estate to hopefully get a quick return to the exclusion of developing our mental and emotional mastery. And now, many don't know how to mentally and emotionally deal with a winter that they neglected to realize must come. It always does. So many are living in fear thinking that the Sun may never shine again, and please remember, you'll always attract and create whatever you're consistently going "3 for 3" on. Your predominant thoughts, feelings and actions will determine your results. What has to happen for you to take this winter season and make an investment in your future? Instead of living in fear and anxiety, know that the spring is coming and therefore grow your number one asset--your mind--in preparation for your next growth spurt. Either way, the season is going to go through its cycle, and it won't change until it's complete. The only thing that will change is your experience of the cycle and whether or not you're going to leverage it, enjoy it and reap the benefits. I promise the degree to which you take advantage of the unique qualities and characteristics of this season is the degree to which you will prosper now and in the future. Have a grateful Thanksgiving, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. Thanks to all of you who contributed to my Birthday Surprise last weekend... It completely blew me away! Check out the video of it here.

It's a season to sow... (Part 2)

Last Friday, we started discussing why there's so much fear in our world right now and how it's related to some of the universal laws that modern society has forgotten. We talked about the Zodiac, moon affecting the tides and the Aquarian Age... If you missed last week's message or need a refresher, please click to read the first part of this discussion before reading further. Now that you're up to speed, how does all this have a direct impact on your current experience? Well, first understand that at a larger level, we're moving into a new era or theme in the heavens according to the ancient traditions. And likewise, so are we moving as a society on Earth. Sciences such as fractal geometry, chaos theory, quantum physics and more understand the universe to be magnificently organized and beautifully orchestrated repeating patterns... From the Galaxy to the Universe to the Solar System to the Earth to the Atom. All is in harmony, and perfectly orchestrated. On a smaller scale than astronomical bodies, we experience yearly cycles on Earth that we call seasons, and each unique season has its own unique theme as well. Many of us in modern society neglect to realize these seasons were all created and designed from the original understanding of the procession of the Equinoxes and the cycles of the cosmos. First, there's the season of new planting and new ideas called spring. On the Spring (or Vernal) Equinox, which typically occurs around March 21st, the Sun rises exactly in the East, traveling through the sky for 12 hours and sets exactly in the West. Of course, the length of days depends on what latitude you're on, so I'll speak from a North American perspective for this discussion. Following the Spring Equinox, the Sun continues to follow a higher and higher path through the sky with the days growing longer and longer until it reaches the highest point around June 21st. This is called the Summer Solstice. While spring is the time to plant, summer is a time to enjoy and reap the harvest of work done prior to this season. Obviously, this is the time of year when most families take their vacations and have some fun in the sun. After the Summer Solstice, the Sun follows a lower and lower path through the sky each day until it reaches the point where it's in the sky for exactly 12 hours again. This is the fall or Autumnal Equinox, which happens around September 21st. Fall is when most families start to bring in their patio furniture... You cover the pool and barbecue, store the boat and put away the summer clothes to prepare for the soon-to-come winter months. Following the Fall Equinox, the Sun will continue to follow a lower and lower path through the sky and the days will grow shorter and shorter until it follows its lowest path and we reach the Winter Solstice. During winter, the days are short and the Sun is low in the sky. The shortest day of the year is the Winter Solstice around December 21st. On this day, the Sun is on the lowest path in the Southern sky. Afterward, the Sun follows a higher and higher path through the sky each day until it's in the sky for exactly 12 hours. Each day after the Winter Solstice, the Sun continues to rise closer to the East and set closer to the West until we reach the day it rises exactly East and sets exactly West. This day is the Spring Equinox, and the cycle begins again. So let's think about how these celestial changes have an impact on us on Earth. In springtime, you plant. The New Year is coming forth, so you set your resolutions to become a better person and to do more than you've done before. Personal development is at an all-time high for the year with more self-help books purchased, more seminars typically attended, more classes being enrolled in than any other time during the year. In the summer, you're out and about and busy lots of activity and fun in the sun. If you've done your homework, then you're actively reaping what you've sown in the early part of the year. In the fall, you typically begin to slow down a bit. It's time to let go, and old things are passing away. The year is winding down. You're parking the convertibles in the garage, storing the boats and preparing for the winter. And finally in the winter, many animals go into hibernation, which is symbolic of the time to go into the internal caves of your own consciousness... A time to contemplate what you've done up to this point and envision and design what you're going to do in the future. You prepare for the holidays, a celebration of where you've been, and you start planning to spend more time with the family after the busy times of spring and summer. You catch up with old friends, and share some holiday cheer. Now, with all that being said, do you see a similar pattern and movement we're going through in our world? In particular, do you see a similar pattern in our economy? Stay tuned for the conclusion to this discussion, where we'll tie together what we've learned so far with what it means for today's economic situation. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. Have you checked out my free Times of Change program? Click here to get started...

It's a season to sow...

As you're well aware, there's a tremendous amount of fear in our world right now regarding our current economy. The main reason is that, as a modern society, we've forgotten some of the universal laws that were clearly known to ancient man. A multitude of individuals have an extremely short-term myopic focus versus a long-term understanding and vision. Over the next week or so, we're going to converse about these universal laws and how you can apply them in your day-to-day life. Now I'm going to wax a bit esoteric, so stick with me. By the way, look up the word esoteric and you'll realize it just means "understood by a few." Contrary to popular opinion, all things esoteric are not voodoo or mumbo-jumbo. Interestingly enough, math and science were once esoteric teachings and only taught to the king, his family and his inner court. If you'll stick with me, I promise I'll teach you how to live in rhythm with nature and how to thrive in any economy. But we need some background first. Nearly every ancient culture looked to the Heavens, and while studying the stars and their paths, they noticed corresponding changes in the Earth below. Two-thousand years before the birth of Christ, Hermes Trismegistus observed these parallel changes in Heaven and Earth and carved the following truth into the Emerald Tablet: "That which is below is like that which is above." What can ancient teachings of the stars and heavenly bodies teach us today in a modern world? If properly understood, I assure you, there's plenty to be learned. So let's quickly discuss some of the things that we know. The Greek Hipparchus made astronomical observations in his publications dating from 147 BC to 127 BC and is widely considered the greatest overall astronomer of antiquity. Here's what he found. One round or cycle of the Zodiac in our Universe (called "the procession of the equinoxes") takes approximately 26,000 years or roughly 2,200 years per sign. This procession is basically a marker for where the pole of our Earth is in relation to the heavenly bodies. As an example, for quite some time, the North Pole has been pointing toward the North Star while the Southern Pole has been pointing toward the Southern Cross... But we're moving. The much-heralded Aquarian Age is thought to be an age of the development of the higher abstract or spiritualized mind. This energy field of mind is often called the mental body. The higher mind will be built upon the emotional base of love, which is the higher emotional body, supposedly ushered in by the prior Piscean Age. Now if you're one of those skeptics that believes the planets have no impact whatsoever upon us, I ask you to consider this... We know scientifically our bodies are comprised of 70% water. That being said, does the moon have an impact upon the tides? Of course it does. And so if the moon can have an effect upon large bodies of water like the oceans of the world, how can it not have an effect upon the little puddle that you call your body? Everything is energy and all energy vibrates. All frequencies and vibrations have an effect upon all others. Just like gravity, the greater the mass, the stronger the effect. Okay, so theoretically, the Aquarian Age is the age of bringing in the ability to operate more fully from this abstract mental body, experience the spiritual realms and ground and utilize this power into the emotions and physical form. Simply stated, the Age of Aquarius is ushering in the ability for us as a collective to access more of the spiritual unseen realms (what physics calls energy) and bring it into this world to create tangible results... The ability to be able to, as the Christian prophet told us, "Judge not by appearances," and to "be in this world but not of this world." This is the ability to quite practically see from a higher-level perspective than the short-term or myopic view of what's directly in front of our eyes. This high objective is the overarching theme in our world for the next 2,200 years or so, according to this teaching. Keep that thought in mind as we continue this conversation next week... We'll take it down from the macrocosm and bring it into the microcosm... In other words, we'll discuss how this all has a direct impact on your current experience. Stay tuned. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. Have you checked out my free Times of Change program? Click here to get started...

In times of change... How to thrive in any economy.

In times of change, the resourceful control the resources... With all that's happening in today's economy, my great wish for you is that you'll have the knowledge to prosper and thrive no matter what's going on in the environment around you... That's why I've put together a brand-new, FREE 5-course video program, Times of Change, designed to give you principles and tools on how to not only survive, but literally thrive, in any economy. By enrolling in this high-impact program, over the next two weeks, I'll coach you to turn the fear-based mindset surrounding our current economy into one of opportunity and prosperity... Watch the first installment below and be sure to click here to subscribe to the series... Click here for the podcast. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. Remember, this program is completely free to join as my gift to you, so please do take advantage of it...

Thriving in the face of economic challenges...

In the last month or so, we've seen the US government bailout four troubled corporations... one after another. Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG... And now there's talk about a shocking $700 billion bailout plan where the government will buy all the bad mortgage loans from the banks to help "contain" the financial crisis... Frankly, it's not surprising to me because there's been so much attention on negativity and demise that we're feeding the very beast we say we'd like to kill. The media, as well as most viewers, are placing their attention on so much fear that it's doing nothing but creating the very thing we don't want. It's time to get the whole story and keep moving in the direction we choose. So... I got on the phone with my good friend (and personal investment advisor) Jim Hansberger. Jim is, as you may recall, one of the best-of-the-best. In fact, he advises numerous senators in Washington and speaks with them daily. To say he knows what's going on would be a gross understatement. So who could be better for me to get the inside scoop for you? And because I'm always looking for ways to go the extra mile for you, I've convinced Jim to do a free teleseminar on today's financial situation, and it's available exclusively for you, my reader. Here's where you'll find out the latest rubber-meets-the road information on what's going on in Wall Street and in Washington, which is sure to affect you in your hometown. This important information will help you not just to survive the current economy, but to actually thrive in it. Listen, if you're expecting the same type of stuff you'd hear on CNBC, CNN or FOX, forget about it. This is the inside scoop that you'll never hear in the mainstream media. That's why it's so important for you to make this call: Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 11:00 AM Pacific (2:00 PM Eastern) Click here to reserve your spot... (Spots are limited!) Remember I'm doing this for you, and it's no charge. But the info you'll get is (as MasterCard puts it) "priceless." Please make sure you're on this call, it's really that important. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International

We grow from the inside out...

Wealthy people, and I mean people who are truly wealthy in all areas, don't allow others to determine the quality of their lives. They never allow circumstances or others to determine how much income they earn or their level of harmony with regard to their spiritual life, their health, their relationships--anything. To have more you must be more. If your intention is big enough, then you must grow to meet the size of that idea. Similarly, if you have an idea that doesn't cause you to grow, it isn't the right idea. In other words, the right intention and the right desire have to make you stretch. Growing is an inside job. Once you begin to go inside--involution--and grow, your results on the outside--evolution--must happen. Going within leads you to take different actions; your goal begins to take form and ultimately becomes a result in your life. When you achieve the desired result, what happens? "What's next?" happens, doesn't it? The basic principle of life, of spirit, is fuller expression and expansion. Your results become the springboard for fuller expression, which then brings grander, more exciting ideas and goals into view. Are you with me? Once you get that next idea or desire--the intention--you again have to grow to meet the size of that new idea, so involution kicks in all over again. New actions begin to happen and your new bigger idea starts coming into form. You get new results, and so on. This is really simple, but its how the creative process works: inside out, involution always preceding evolution. Think back on any goal you've achieved, and you'll see that this cycle occurred. You had an idea, a desire, and you had to grow to reach it. Perhaps it was when you got your first car loan or first home mortgage. Now, if that payment was a stretch for you, you had to expand your vision of yourself, didn't you? You had to see yourself being able to reach for more than you had been accessing. You had to realign your possibilities to meet the size of the idea. What you need isn't more money but more growth. We all do. Money is nothing more than a measuring stick of our growth. Sound familiar? It's an excerpt from the Financial pillar section of my New York Times Best Seller Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want. You may not know it yet, but it's also available in Audio CD format (read by yours truly)... Click here to check it out. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International

Complete this sentence: "Change is _____."

"Change" is happening in the world around us all the time, and you have a specific way of dealing with change... You also have your own definition of what change is. And that definition defines your quality of life right now. I find that there are two types of people in this world, and based on your definition of change, you may be surprised at which you one are... I challenge you to take 10 minutes out of your day to work through just one quick exercise (and there are literally dozens!) from my Harmonic Wealth Home Study Course... It's all about "change," and if you take the time to really work the exercise, you'll be able clarify and redefine what change means in your life (and which type of person you are!). Now's your chance to work on an exclusive, free exercise from the Harmonic Wealth Home Study Course: First, click here to print out the workbook pages that correspond to this exercise... Then click "Play" below to watch and work through the exercise... (Or grab the podcast.) Oh and remember, the Harmonic Wealth Home Study Course is on sale through midnight tonight, July 31st... This is your last chance to get the Home Study Course at a $150 discount and learn to live an abundant life of Harmonic Wealth from your own living room! Click here to learn more. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. Remember, this offer is only valid through midnight July 31st, 2008, so make sure you act quickly before it's gone for good.

The best-kept secret to financial wealth...

Contrary to popular opinion, creating unlimited financial wealth won't come from chasing more money. Now don't get me wrong, I can help you make more money--plenty of it! And if the statement above seems counterintuitive to you, then that's exactly why you and I need to spend more time together. Check this out... A recent Gallup poll posted in USA Today found that 55% of those surveyed state their families are worse off financially today than they were this same time last year. This is the highest number since 1976, and it's an eleven-point jump since February of this year. Interestingly enough, in the very same survey, 26% say they're better off than they were a year ago. What gives? How is it that in the same economy (with the same government officials, the same war, same gas prices, same housing market) that one group thinks their finances are doing poorly but another group actually believes things are better? Now you might think that the 26% are just some of the more privileged few... maybe. But just suppose there's more to it than that. The answer to this question resides in a money paradox that a distinct few understand and most may never grasp. We'll get to that in a minute. In my new book Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want, I share the little known truth that, while many people believe wealth is equated to vast sums of money, if you trace the root of the word wealth back to its origins, it literally translates as "well-being." Now I know you might be thinking, "Well James, if I had more money, I'd have more true wealth and well-being!" But studies show that this is not necessarily the case... In fact, most often it's not. A recent survey posted by US Private Banks surveyed individuals with a net worth of $38 million or more. Of those surveyed, 65% stated that they felt "financially insecure." Now get this... These are people with a net worth of at least $38 million! So maybe it's not just the privileged few that are feeling better off than last year. Think about it, if you have a net worth of $38M and wake up in the morning feeling financially insecure... with wealth being defined as well-being, are you truly wealthy? The obvious answer is a resounding "No!" Many Americans believe that a new president is the answer to our situation. Many believe that dealing with the oil and gas companies will make things better. Even more think that if we get out of the war in Iraq, all will become harmonious. While all of these issues may have an impact, they are in no way the answer. So what is the answer? What will bring more financial well-being into your life? The answer resides in the thoughts, feelings and actions of you as an individual. First, shift your focus of attention. Get your mind and continued thoughts off the economy and all the problems being pumped into your home by the mass media. As difficult as this may be, those who are truly wealthy--financially and otherwise--choose where they place their attention and stand guard like a watchdog at the gates of their mind. Peter Lynch once stated, "I don't spend more than 15 minutes a year thinking about the economy." Lynch's results speak for themselves. Stop. Just stop for a moment and think rationally... There's no way in hell that any company's true worth can fluctuate as dramatically on any given day as the New York Stock Exchange would indicate. It's nothing but an opinion--and other people's opinions are only predictions if you allow them to be. There's a principle in our universe which states: Energy flows where attention goes. So consider this: Where are you directing your energy and attention every single day? Regardless of what you answer, your current results will tell the truth... for your results are a reflection of you. Second, stop chasing the money. Science tells us that everything is vibration, including your thoughts, feelings and actions... And yes, even your money. Now think about this... If you're constantly thinking, feeling and acting (what I call going "3 for 3") as if you "need more, need more," what's the real message you're sending out energetically? You guessed correctly if you said the message is, "You don't have it." The universe hears the real message at the level of vibration and states, "Your wish is my command!" As a result, you'll end up living your life always wanting but never having. You'll never get financially wealthy with that strategy. Third, be grateful for all the good that currently exists in your life. If all things are an energetic vibration (which they are) and energy flows where attention goes (which it does), then to place your consistent attention upon the things for which you're grateful is one of the most powerful things you can do. Unlike the message of "I don't have it," when you place your attention with gratitude on all the goodness that currently exists, it's like stating, "Thank you for this. Send me more." When you get grateful, the universe sends you more to be grateful for. Finally, consistently focus on providing more value and service to the world. Take the attention off of "What can I get?" and place it upon "What can I give?" If you want to have more, give more. Winners always give ten times more value than they ask for in return. Doubt me? Look around. I challenge you to find a millionaire who's not surrounded by six-figure income earners. Likewise, find any billionaire and they'll be surrounded by multimillionaires. Why? Because you only profit handsomely in life by providing service and value to others. In other words, you'll only get your big dreams by helping others get theirs. I recently shared the stage with billionaire Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Records and Virgin Airlines. There were two things Richard stated that really reinforced what I knew to be true. First, he stated, "I've never done anything in my life to make money. I just always ask, 'Is it going to be fun?'" Next, Richard stated, "Money is just a convenient way of keeping score." If you truly understand this principle, you'll realize that in a capitalistic society, the amount of money you have (or don't have) is directly correlated to the depth and span of the value you provide. So here's the money paradox I mentioned earlier: The greatest way to attract and create more money (or anything for that matter) is to not need it. Now think it through again... If you need something, the real message you're sending out is, "I don't have it." Your neediness is like a raging bonfire, and you're throwing another log on it day after day, hoping it'll go out. The only way to squelch the fire of your lack of financial abundance is to not feed it. Just continually focus on providing tremendous value and service. Henry Ford so wisely put it years ago, "Money will never be achieved when sought after directly. It only comes as the by-product of providing a useful service." Truth is timeless. Get your attention off the economy and your problems, stop chasing the money, become continually grateful for all the goodness you currently have and consistently think, feel and act (going "3 for 3") on what you can give versus what you can get. You'll have true wealth and well-being in every area: relational, mental, physical, spiritual and yes, financial. And just like Branson and so many others who have figured it out, you'll have a lot of fun doing it. That's Harmonic Wealth, my friend, and that's what we all want. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International, Inc. P.S. Dive more deeply into the true meaning of wealth with my latest DVD, Harmonic Wealth: The Movie... When you do, you'll save $5 off, now through July 22, 2008. Click here to watch the trailer...

So you're finally done with school...

Congratulations, graduate! You've just graduated from college, and you're now entering the "real world." Just when you thought you had life in the palm of your hands, reality begins to sink in. There's no need to freak out (or move back home!), just follow these simple suggestions, and you're well on your way to the life of your dreams. First, find that thing that inspires you before you set any career goals. Most people end up in their late 30's and 40's wondering how the hell they ended up where they are. What moves you? What are your unique skills? If money where no issue, what would you do with your time? (Be serious now, lying on the beach drinking beer all day is not the right answer... Even brew masters have to put in a few hours of work here and there.) Second, ask and answer the question, "How can I do what I love and be paid handsomely for it?" For instance, let's say to the above question you answered, "I love to travel." There are many ways you can travel and be paid well. Many sales jobs travel extensively... You could become a meeting planner, a personal assistant or work in the tourism industry. Think of the possibilities. If you answered, "I like to help people," there are so many ways to do so that don't necessarily mean having to get a master's degree. You can help people find the home of their dreams in real estate or you could help people get a healthy and nutritious meal and a slim and sexy body. Be open-minded and creative. Next, set a specific intention to achieve based upon your answers above... Make it measurable and timed. For instance, write down, "I'll create a job in the investment industry making $50,000 per year by August 1, 2008." Make it a stretch and yet keep it realistic. We tend to overestimate what we can do in a year and underestimate what we can accomplish in a lifetime. (In other words, you have more time than just this summer to become your state's next Senator.) Then, keep your attention upon your intention no matter what happens. You're going to face challenges... You can't have victories without them. That's just a part of life. If you have a bad interview, just restate and refocus on your intention and know that it's coming. This resolve and focus will be felt by everyone with whom you interact. By the way, if you fall off your game and don't get back on, that will be felt by others as well. Avoid anyone or anything that knocks you off your game (including your sophomore roommate that you went to Cancun with). Finally, take massive and bold action daily. Every night before you go to bed, sit down and write out the six most important things you must do tomorrow to move you in the direction of your intention, and hit the ground running in the morning. Work on Item One and don't move on to Item Two until One is complete. Work on (and complete) Two before going to Three and so on. If you end the day without completing all six items, then the remaining items on the list move up and become Items One, Two, etc. for tomorrow. If you have room at the bottom of the list, then guess what? Yep. Fill it up with six. Constantly think, feel and act (remember "3 for 3?") in accordance with where you're going and your success is certain. Looking for the perfect graduation gift for someone special (or yourself)? Make sure to check out my latest full-length feature presentation and "real-life primer," Harmonic Wealth: The Movie. This breakthrough DVD is the ideal graduation present for anyone on your list... It's jam-packed with tons of practical tips to help any new grad hit the ground running (including that sophomore roomie)! It's available on DVD and as an online rental... And starting at $9.97, it's friendly on your post-school budget. Also a smart choice is my New York Times Best Selling book, Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want. This must-have manual will arm any new graduate with the essential tools for living a truly wealthy life. Here's to your future! To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International

A bigger ego is the only way to truly create "A New Earth"...

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last 6 months, you've most likely heard the buzz around A New Earth. I applaud Eckhart Tolle for putting forth the time and energy to make such a positive impact on the world. The things he's teaching are powerful... and yet as I travel around the globe, I still find misconceptions, misinterpretations and confusion. It's obvious that most people have a lack of understanding regarding one of the key concepts regarding the human ego. And because of that, the ego gets a bad rap. Anyone who's been exposed to even a small amount of traditional spiritual teachings, particularly from the East, has heard all the ways that the human ego gets debased and despised. To most, the ego is a selfish, materialistic, stingy, controlling monster that must be at least controlled and at best destroyed. This is ignorance and a lack of understanding of something that will never be actualized. First, the word "ego" is Latin and translates as "I." Every time you read or hear "ego," think "I." Your ego (or I) is nothing more or less than the identity you've created and continue to hold for yourself. Now if you follow this through logically, you'll realize there's absolutely no way you can be "egoless." Even the most sagacious of teachers and uber of gurus has an ego... And to think or propagate otherwise is illusion. To work toward "egoless living" is actually an ego/identity. To be a "non-materialist" is an ego/identity. To be "non-attached" and a spiritual person is (you guessed it) an ego/identity. The fact of the matter is you cannot even exist without some semblance of an ego/identity. Therefore, I submit that your ego is not too big as you've often been told... I suggest your ego is not big enough! When you identify yourself with your activities, your possessions, your position or any other of these items of the physical world, your identity is centered as a finite physical being. Truth be understood, you should be identifying yourself with infinity or God. In my new book Harmonic Wealth, The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want, I discuss that true wealth is a state of harmony and well-being in the five key areas (I call them the five pillars) of life: Financial, Relational, Mental, Physical and Spiritual. Only when these five pillars are in harmony in your life are you truly wealthy and fulfilled. The solution to this ego issue resides in the Relational Pillar. Now when I speak of relationships, the majority of people automatically think "romance!" While romance is an important part of our relational experience, it pales by comparison to the grander issue: how you relate to the entire world. Refer to the section in Harmonic Wealth titled "The Hierarchy of Personal Identity." In it, I discuss the 7 different levels of existence in which we play the game of life. If ego is the identity you hold (which it is), then it's important to explore where your sense of self resides. While I won't go into an in-depth explanation of all seven levels here, I'll briefly explore the extremes or both poles of the hierarchy. Exploring this model, we truly find the key to creating a new earth for ourselves, for others and for the entire planet... At the bottom of the hierarchy (or "at the beginning stages of awareness"), you define your identity as an Individual Being. When holding your ego/identity at the Individual level, your entire world centers around you, the things you want, the things you do, what happens to you and the things you have. This is the level of lowest awareness in the hierarchy. At this Individual level, you're separate from other beings, from nature and from the world and universe at large. As a result, we traditionally have little care or deep concern for the needs of others, and most often care little for the well-being of animals, plants or the natural world... And certainly not as a primary focus. This is the level of awareness most likely labeled by spiritual traditions as the ego/identity that must be overcome or transcended... And it's true that you must grow beyond this in the evolution of consciousness... but that's only half the story. Before I explain that statement more fully, let's jump to the opposite pole of the hierarchy. At the seventh level of the model (or "at the highest level of awareness"), you define yourself as a Spiritual Being. Now, the word "spiritual" needs some explaining because many misinterpret it to mean "religious." This again is a limited understanding. Spirit is the creative force that moves through all existence both animate and inanimate. While religious traditions call this power "God," quantum physics calls it "Energy." Choose whichever label works best for your way of thinking, and understand that both science and religion are talking the same language with different labels. While Spirit moves through all creation and therefore is the Creative Source, religion is a methodology or set of beliefs to allow you to connect with the Creative Source. Do you get the difference? Religion is the means... Spirit is the end. Let's not define the forest by the tree. As a Spiritual Being, you realize at your very core your interconnectivity to every single thing in this universe... And even beyond this universe. You understand and operate from a deep sense of inclusiveness and realize you're connected to everyone and everything. With this understanding, the statements of Jesus, "I and the Father are one," and, "If I be lifted up, I lift up every man," become truly awakened within you. Now here's the critical part many so-called spiritual teachers and aspirants misunderstand. As a spiritual being, you're not out to annihilate or overcome any part of the ego/identity journey--rather to embrace and include it all. So while you must transcend certain small ego identifiers you've created, in order to truly awaken, you must also include them. They're not bad or wrong... They're just a link in the great chain of being... A necessary step in the great adventure and journey of life. Think about it, if all things come from the same source (call it Energy, God or Spirit), then as it states in the book of Genesis, "All is good." With this understanding and awakening, you realize that any time you dam any part of creation... you dam God! Where is God not? Where is Energy not? Where is Spirit not? It's all the same stuff and of the same essence. Authors and teachers frequently buzz about "finding your purpose." We all literally have one purpose and one purpose only, and that purpose is inclusiveness... The awakening and awareness that you, me, the dog, the cat, the sinner and the saint are all of the same source and essence. From this perspective, everything is spiritual or of the same spirit. The great mistake of many spiritual aspirants is that they believe that only chanting, meditating, praying, renouncing materialistic desires and suppressing your sexual nature are the spiritual experiences of this world. But think about it... That's just another ego/identity trip isn't it? The material world and all the toys, trips and trimmings are not bad or wrong. This is the grand trap that many spiritual traditions fall into. Spiritual exclusivity or renunciation is just the same ego game at a different level. The material world and all its experiences only become a limitation when you build and attach your ego/identity to them. Likewise, the same is true with spiritual pursuits. Spiritual attachment and escapism is no more the complete answer than is material attachment and escapism. The master is one plays the game passionately but just doesn't buy in. For this reason, you'll notice that the most powerfully awakened individuals in history tend to break the traditional rules. Jesus of Nazareth drank wine, broke the rules of the Sabbath and hung out with prostitutes and thieves. U.G. Krishnamurti drove an Alpha Romeo and wore Italian designer shoes. When you finally awaken, you realize as A Course in Miracles states, "All things are echoes of the voice of God." You see, once you expand your ego/identity to include everything, you're identified by nothing (or "no-thing"). When this awakening occurs, you can inhabit the world and play the game with gusto. Nothing and no one can hold you or harm you because you realize... It's all you. Only with the realization of ourselves as Spiritual Beings will we have "A New Earth." Only then will we begin to think of ourselves, our neighbors, other religions, other races, other nations as the interconnected and interdependent manifestations of the Creative Source. Only then will we begin embracing versus judging--including versus dividing. Only then will we actualize our one true purpose in life which is a full recognition of our inclusiveness with all. Only then will we have harmony and well-being in every single aspect of our individual and collective lives. Harmony in all, from Spirit to Form, is the key, my friend. The answer is Harmonic Wealth... and it begins with you. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. Order my bestselling book, Harmonic Wealth, today, and I'll throw in 3 bonuses for you: an online study guide, an online video course and a free online viewing of my new movie...

My 200th Blog Post: Have you received your "economic expansion" check yet?

This so-called "economic expansion" check is a tax rebate being offered to 130 million households in the United States. At the same time, there's talk of creating a "gas tax holiday." The first three words that crossed my mind when I heard about these two items were, "Please wake up!" In Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want, I quote that approximately 70% of those who win the lottery end up flat broke within a few short years. There's a reason this occurs, which I'll discuss in a moment, but before I do, please understand... I totally empathize with you if you're in a tough financial situation right now. I've been on the very verge of bankruptcy twice. And that being said... Do you really think these band-aids are going to solve the real issues? I mean seriously, a few hundred dollars per family to "stimulate the economy?" Wasn't spending money we didn't have in the first place the very thing that created the sub-prime mortgage issue? Do you think it's remotely possible that this rebate is an attempt to potentially quick fix an issue it's taken years to create? And how about a whopping $25-$28 dollar savings per person on a "gas tax holiday," while Exxon is posting record earnings? Shouldn't the focus be on cutting energy costs through more efficient use of our resources? So what's the solution? The solution is a shift in consciousness, both individually and collectively. To begin practicing "3 for 3" in a new direction... to think, feel and act differently than we've done to date. Then, and only then, will we see our personal and collective lives transform. In Harmonic Wealth, I discuss what I call the "now person" and the "later person." I submit that the "now" mentality is a major cause of many of our worlds current level of suffering. The "now" person wants all the spoils and returns immediately. This person is driven to do what feels good in the moment and is therefore a prisoner of his or her moods. The "later" person develops self-mastery and commits to living his or her values above and beyond moods. Over the long-term journey, the "later" person does what's necessary to guarantee they get what they truly desire and deserve. When asked, most people would tell you that they want more power, energy, money, health, fitness, love, harmony and well-being, right? These outcomes take focus and commitment over the long-term, don't they? In other words, to get what you want, you often have to do things that you don't like... And most people aren't willing to do the things they don't like. Do you follow? The "later" person develops self-mastery because they condition themselves to like to do the things that bring them what they want. Please read, re-read and understand that last statement. Paradoxically, by focusing upon their true values and desires (and living them!), the "later" person actually has more joy and harmony right now than the "now" person who is a prisoner of their moods, habits and lack of discipline. By delaying the pleasing activities short-term, you end up with pleasing outcomes. Be very aware of activities that feel good in the moment but don't move you toward your pleasing outcome... Activities such as lounging in front of the television, skipping the gym or spending more than you earn can be very seductive. Pleasing activities or pleasing outcomes... Which will you choose? Which will the world choose? By mastering your mood to like what brings you the results you want versus just doing the things you like, you create the life of your dreams. What will a "now" person do with a rebate check or a break in the gas tax? You guessed right if you said they'd most often do more of the same thing that got them in a limiting situation to begin with. A pleasing activity will capture their attention... and once again they'll want it now. This is the exact reason why people who win the lottery are broke in a few years. Anything you're given that you don't have the ability to create on your own will quickly be taken away. The age-old adage about giving a fish versus teaching to fish comes to mind. When we teach to fish, we shift the consciousness of the student and life is never the same. You see most of us want our life to transform right now... maybe even yesterday. We're addicted to the idea that we can get maximum return for the minimum effort. During one mellow afternoon, I remember sitting by the ocean in Hawaii with my family watching a cruise ship in the harbor. We were eating and chatting about anything and everything for several hours in the sun. None of us were paying much real attention to the cruise ship over our food and conversation, and by appearances, it was sitting motionless. Yet after an hour or so, we began to notice that it was actually turning around. After a few more hours, it completed a 180-degree turn. This is a great metaphor for life. We tend to overestimate what we can do in a year and underestimate what we can do in a lifetime. To make a lasting impact on your life and develop true harmonic wealth, you must clearly define a course and have the discipline to stick with it over days, months and years. Your life is not a speedboat that can turn on a dime... Your life is much more like the cruise ship that takes miles and miles and hours and hours of focus and commitment to move in the direction you've chosen. Once again, this takes a shift in consciousness... A shift in how you consistently think, feel and act. All profound shifts in our world, individually and collectively, begin with a shift in consciousness. The question we must ask ourselves individually and collectively is not, "What pleasing activity can I perform right now to do what I like?" It should really be, "What can I do right now that will guarantee I have pleasing outcomes?" And, "What has to happen for me to like doing the things that get me what I want?" Only when we begin to ask and answer the right questions (personally, as a nation and as a world) will the solutions emerge. Then and only then will we personally and collectively create Harmonic Wealth... True harmony and well-being in every single area. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. Order my bestselling book, Harmonic Wealth, today, and I'll throw in 3 bonuses for you: an online study guide, an online video course and a free online viewing of my new movie...

Something big is happening March 29th...

Something big is happening tomorrow, March 29th at 8PM... There's a huge global event taking place tomorrow night. I know it's late notice, but it's really just that important. By now you're aware that I'm extremely committed to keeping our planet in an ever-increasing state of harmony through health, vibrancy and abundance, which is why I've committed myself and my business to being green and asked you to do the same. Now I'm asking you to step up to the plate tomorrow night... So here's the scoop. It's called Earth Hour, and it's so simple to participate, yet it's powerful beyond imagination. You won't even believe the impact you'll make. How? By turning off all lights for just one hour tomorrow night, Saturday, March 29, starting at 8PM (your local time). That's right, for just one hour. This event was created by the World Wildlife Fund in Sydney, Australia in 2007... and the impact it created was so huge that it's blossomed to a global event within only a year. Last year, it reduced Sydney's energy consumption by a whopping 10.2% for one hour, which is the equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road for a year! Well, they're doing the same thing tomorrow night, but this time it's global and with many more millions of people around the world involved. Imagine the impact! Please join me in bringing harmony to the earth tomorrow night. Go ahead, turn out those lights! For more information about Earth Hour and what you can do, watch the video below or visit www.earthhour.org. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. In case you missed it, Harmonic Wealth is coming...

Your goal is unimportant... yet absolutely necessary.

Seem confusing? Paradoxical? Actually, goals (or as I like to call them, "intentions") are a paradox in that they're nothing more than an illusion. A transparent veneer behind which true reality hides. What do I mean? Well, we've been conditioned to believe we must control the physical plane. The more money, toys and possessions you have, the more valuable you are as a person. This is totally false and yet... somewhat true. (It's OK if you're totally confused right now.) Stick with me as I pull it together for you... What you have and what you possess have nothing to do with who you are. Not really. And yet, your accomplishments are a valuable measuring device of your level of consciousness. It takes a bigger person to beat the odds like Donald Trump, going millions of dollars in debt and still rebounding. It takes a bigger person to go bankrupt several times like Walt Disney and still build a Disneyland... ...To build a Microsoft like Bill Gates and then becoming even more active in pursuing your creative passion. ...To overcome a childhood of abuse and molestation like Oprah Winfrey, turning it around to become the world's first African-American woman billionaire. A bigger visionary to carry a $10,000,000 check in your wallet and visualize receiving it while living in your broken down van... ...Jim Carrey's visualization became his realization. Are these people perfect? I can't be the judge of that, but what I do know is that their physical accomplishments are indicative of their intentions and the level of power and consciousness in the area that they pursue. Intentions are a paradox in that they ultimately are unnecessary and yet absolutely necessary. Regardless of who you are or how you're applying yourself... you and I ultimately have ONE goal: GROWTH! And growth is what's hiding behind the veneer I mentioned earlier. Your intention is only a means to an end (the ultimate end)... your full self-actualization and growth! In the grand scheme of things, do you think it really matters how much money you make? What kind of car you drive? The title you have? The neighborhood you live in? Not really. It only matters to the degree that you apply yourself to something that creates passion in your heart, mind and spirit. And of course, that it necessitates your growth. Consequently, as you choose your intentions, measure them against the following criteria: Does this intention create passion in my heart and soul? Do I have a burning desire to achieve this intention? Does this intention (and its due date) scare me and excite me at the same time? Is it "teetering edge"? Will this intention cause me to stretch and grow? Do I need to become a bigger person to accomplish it? Will achieving this intention bless and provide value to others? If I achieve this will I be able to give more? Will I need help from my Higher Source to accomplish this intention? If you answer yes to these 5 qualities, put it in high gear and get moving! If you answered no to ANY ONE of them, reevaluate your intention. Remember a few key principles about intentions: You are worthy of any intention you choose... You must answer the question, "Is this intention worthy of me?" Are you willing to trade your life (time, energy, commitment) for it to be accomplished? Growth is the only intention, so learn to enjoy the journey. Once you achieve your intention, it'll automatically be time for a new one. The process of getting there is where the wealth, excitement and experience lie. Make sure your intention is a BHAG (Harvard's "Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal") that you aren't quiet sure HOW you're going to achieve. By doing this, you'll build your creativity and faith. Have a big, hairy, audacious week and make your life magnificent! And if you haven't yet, check out Success Certain Coaching... It's designed to help you achieve your intentions in 21 days, and you can save 20% on it for a limited time. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. Be sure to catch me as a jugde in tomorrow night's Miss America Live competition on TLC... And for those of you wondering why in the world I chose to do such a thing, here's my answer... P.P.S. The poncho I received in Peru and gave to Tom Green is now up on eBay... The auction ends January 28th! And if you don't know what I'm talking about, watch the entire show here...

How do I make my resolutions realistic?

After my recent interview on how to set effective New Year's resolutions on America's Nightly Scoreboard (check out the blog if you haven't seen it), I received a whole host of questions on how to do step number 2: Specify Realistic Intentions. Most individuals set goals at the stroke of midnight and never check in to see how they're doing until the stroke of midnight the following year. This sets up a cycle of feeling like a failure, being disappointed with ourselves, and eventually, our minds, our friends and the universe at large begins to disregard our words because all of them realize (ourselves included) that there is no integrity and no power in them. The greatest promise you'll ever keep is a promise to yourself... ...Because it's your own personal test of integrity (similar to integrated). When we're out of integrity, we're fragmented and lack harmony in our life physically, mentally and physically. We're not whole. The answer resides in the problem itself. We have a tendency to overestimate what we can do in a year and underestimate what we can do in a decade. Therefore, I encourage all to set what I call "teetering edge" goals and intentions. "Push the edge," but don't "go over the edge." In other words, intentions on the teetering edge stretch you but aren't so ridiculous that you know you won't do them. An intentions that says, "I'll workout every day," is over the edge for someone who hasn't worked out a day all year. One that says, "I'll workout three days a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5 PM," is teetering, specific, measurable and therefore achievable. "I'll make $100K from $40K..." Over the edge. "I'll make $50K..." Teetering. "I'll lose 50 pounds in 3 months..." Timber! "I'll lose 50 pounds in 17 weeks (3 pounds per week)..." Teetering. When we create intentions that are achievable (albeit not mediocre for the human spirit will not invest itself in mediocrity), then we set ourselves up to feel in integrity with our own hearts and minds. We feel accomplished and successful. Success perpetuates success. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. If you have any questions about achieving your intentions in the New Year, then ask me live on tomorrow's Ask James Anything teleseminar... Sign up free at http://ask.jamesray.com. Spots are limited, so be sure to hop on early!

Only the whole person is a holy person

Only the whole person is a holy person. In the East, many have condemned the body or the physical world saying that matter doesn't matter. Likewise, traditional religion in the West has suppressed the sensual world, often calling material and physical pleasures carnal and sinful. However in the secular West, we've often made matter all that matters, worshiping on the altar of the physical body and its toys and trinkets. I submit to you that "poor" is a state of mind, heart and soul, and not just a financial state. Just like true Harmonic Wealth is so much more than what's in your wallet. And I've got news for you... While I can't say that every person who's rich is spiritual, I can assure you that those who are poor are not spiritual! Reread that last paragraph and be sure you understand this new definition of "poor." So many religions of the East and fundamentalists of the West want to condemn society at large for chasing after illusion, for being caught up in the materialistic mind. I can agree with that on one level... but there's more to the equation. I'm tired of the individuals that are so "spiritual" and yet they are always sick and broke! This is NOT spirituality. Jesus wore a seamless robe (the most expensive garment of his day), had a treasurer (so he must have had some money) and, to my knowledge, was never documented as being physically sick. The reason that many remain poor is because they've denied the physical world. You are a spiritual being having a PHYSICAL experience (remember that... Chardin had it right). Therefore, I guarantee that your Creative Source did not send you here to suffer and deny the physical experience. That makes no sense at all. Both of these arguments are only half right, which means that neither are playing with a full deck. No person who is half can be whole, and no person that is not whole can be holy. Your goal must be to be truly whole: wealthy in body, health, relationships, finances, meditation, science and spirituality. The student can sample fine wine, food, clothing, art and music, dance on the beach and sing in the rain. And at the same time, the same student can enjoy the depth of consciousness and the heights of energy that belong to all the truly spiritual. The true student is a harmony of male and female energies, yin and yang, physical and spiritual. The material minded are hollow. They have no eternal significance... only momentary, fleeting pleasure. Driven by the ego, this person finds him or herself constantly tiring of all accomplishments and acquisitions. The insatiable thirst of the ego is driven by one motivation, and that motivation is "More!" Conversely, the renouncing, reclusive and suppressive "spiritual student" is hollow as well... Missing the entire opportunity of the physical plane... Missing the joy, the beauty, the heights and the depths of the human experience... Longing to be elsewhere and often thinking that their reward lies in the next life. To these half men and women I ask, "Why do you think you are here?" Every master I've ever studied or have had the privilege to meet have had a great sense of humor and experienced a tremendous amount of fun and joy! Wisdom is being fully engaged in all of life and yet detached from outcome. Prediction and control are the domain of the ego and are both illusion. Live life to the fullest in all areas... This is your birthright. To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. Still wondering how to be Spiritual and yet Physical at the same time? Practical Spirituality offers 29 practical principles that can change your life... And it's on sale through October 31, 2007. Click and save 30% off the retail price. P.P.S. Attention Vegas and Detroit: I have free live events in your neck of the woods in the next couple of weeks. Seats are filling up fast, so reserve some for you and your friends today.

Remember the glory days?

"When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things." --1 Corinthians 13:11 (New American Standard) With Bruce Springsteen on the charts again, I was reminded of a song of his from several years ago called Glory Days. If you're too young to remember it, The Boss sang about how people he knew sat around dwelling on the past, reliving and constantly rethinking what has long gone and will never be again. Unfortunately, many lead lives that keep them in the same small town (metaphorically speaking) for their entire lives. Still re-living the big game, still talking about the "old times," still thinking about the way it was. What type of childish things (in all areas) have outworn their welcome in your life? How many people continue to go to the same church and listen to the same sermon for years at the risk of being locked in chains of mediocrity? How many individuals stay in jobs that have lost their luster and vibrancy long ago out of fear and insecurity? How many stay in relationships, trying to remember the "glory days" when there was passion, connection and love? Many movies and books have been written about the "mid-life crisis" when people make radical changes in their lives. Grown men leave their families and date women half their age. Women long past their prime are seen frequenting bars and parties that are known to not satisfy in the long run. Dr. Anderson in his book, The Stages of Life, is the first (to my knowledge) who has observed this occurrence as a good thing... at least, to a point. While the behavior is not wise, this external search is driven by an inner spiritual desire to evolve and grow... A setting aside of the dying and a breaking through into a new realm. Unfortunately, a return to the past behavior of glory days and younger years is unable to satisfy. In most cases, the temporary thrills of chasing teenagers and other juvenile behavior is short-lived. The wise individual realizes that it all was the outcome of an inner longing for something more and of greater significance. The student lives life in the Now... not hanging onto the past and not longing for the future. When asked the question, "Where are you, and what time is it?" there is only one answer: "Here and Now." Everything but the Here and Now is a mental construct and an illusion that robs your life of precious energy. The sad individual that lives, thinks and talks consistently about the past is looking to affirm their sense of identity. The problem is that this identity is based upon a long history and interpretation of past experiences and life situations. You are more than that. Don Juan told Castaneda, "The person of Power is the person who has no personal history." "But James," you may ask. "Doesn't the past imprint upon us and make us who we are?" My answer is both yes and no. There is much to be learned and gleaned from the past, and yet to the degree we cannot release it and live in the Now, we are in chains. Our very identity is locked in the grip of the dead and gone. Let the dead bury the dead. Conversely, the person who is constantly thinking about the future is living in never-ending anticipation. I once coached a young man who set his watch to audibly notify him every 15 minutes so that he could pause and visualize his future. When he proudly informed me of his new practice, he was surprised to find that I was severely unimpressed. Constantly thinking of the future is a strategy of the ego based upon a deep dissatisfaction with what is. While I'm a strong advocate of visualization, constantly visualizing the future will often do more harm than good. I doubt very seriously if Bill Gates visualizes becoming a billionaire or has billionaire affirmations taped to his mirror. Bill just is. Once you get there, you don't need the map... What was once profound has become a childish hindrance to release and put away. What of goals? Setting a goal and working towards it is positive. You're clear on where you want to go. The key is to honor and give full attention to the step you are taking right now in this present moment. Those who are excessively focused on the future are doing so because they are seeking happiness, fulfillment or a more complete sense of self in the glory days of the future instead of the past. The organized religions of the West have built their entire identity playing on the ego need for a perfect heaven in the future. Unfortunately, this very mindset creates a perfect hell in the now. It's not what you do that determines your success but how you do it. This statement, when fully understood, is so deep in its implications that it can literally transform and enlighten your life. The "how" is the internal process from which you live and move. When your continuous mental dialogue is in the past or future, your life is passing by you at quantum speed. The Journey of Power is a journey of defining your future clearly... releasing the past while living full-on in the moment! Just suppose this is as good as it gets? What can you do to more fully experience and appreciate the beauty of life right now? To your continued wealth and happiness, James Arthur Ray President/CEO James Ray International P.S. Nothing helps you live in the Now more than meditation, and Collapse the World is designed to do just that... And it's on sale through September 30, 2007. Click to learn more and save 20% off the retail price. P.P.S. Ask me anything! I'm hosting a free live Q&A session on October 10th... The lines fill up fast, so reserve your spot and ask your question today.