The greatest secret of all: moving beyond abundance to a life of true fulfillment 1577316193, 9781577316190

Citation preview

THE

^

j

GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

I I

\

Moving Beyond Abundance

to a Life

of True Fulfillment

MARC ALLEN "Marc's unique approach to success and fulfillment is

inspiring

and surprisingly

practical."

— SHAKTI GAWAIN, bestselling author of Creative Visualization

j

I

Digitized by the Internet Archive in

http ://arch

i

2013

ve o rg/detai s/g reatestsecretof OOal e .

I

I

THE

GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

MARC ALLEN Books The Millionaire Course:

A

Visionary Plan for Creating the Life of Your

The Type-Z Guide

Dreams

to Success:

A Lazy Persons Manifesto for Wealth and Fulfillment Visionary Business:

An

Entrepreneur s Guide

A

Visionary

to Success

Life:

Conversations on Personal and Planetary Evolution

The Ten Percent Solution: Simple Steps

A

to

Improving Our Lives and Our World

Two-Second Love Affair (Poetry)

Spoken Word Audio Stress

Reduction and Creative Meditations

The Millionaire Course Seminar (3-CD

(i

set)

The Success with Ease In-Depth Course (12-CD

set

with workbook)

Music Awakening Solo Flight

Quiet Moments Breathe Petals

CD)

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Moving Beyond Abundance to

a Life of True Fulfillment

MARC ALLEN

New World

Library

Novato, California

New World Library 14 Pamaron Way Novato, California 94949

^/^R^^^

Copyright

©

2008 by Marc Allen

All rights reserved. This

book may not be reproduced

in

whole

or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any electronic, mechanical, or other

—

without written permission from the publisher, except by a

re-

form or by any means viewer,

—

who may quote brief passages

in a review.

Text design by Tona Pearce Myers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Allen,

The

Mark, 1946-

greatest secret of

of true fulfillment p.

ISBN

/

all

:

moving beyond abundance

Marc

to a

life

Allen,

cm. 978-1-57731-619-0 (hardcover

1.

Self-actualization (Psychology)

3.

Affirmations.

I.

:

2.

alk.

paper)

New Thought.

Title.

BF637.S4A5733 2008 158.1

dc22

First printing,

2007038651

January 2008

ISBN: 978-1-57731-619-0 Printed in Canada on

100% postconsumer- waste

gNew World Library

is

a

proud member of the Green Press

Initiative.

10

recycled paper

987654321

This book

is

dedicated

to you.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION How I first discovered the secret of manifestatioriy

and then

the greatest secret of all

n

TART ONE Discovering the secret of manifestation in

your own wordsy

and applying it in your own way

TART

53

TWO

Discovering the greatest secret of all in

your own words,

and living it in your own way 89

SUMMARY The greatest secret of all

111

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

121

THE

GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

I

INTRODUCTION How I first discovered the secret of manifestation,

and then

the greatest secret of all

T

Somewhere along the many paths became obvious

to

me

that every

I've taken,

it

one of us

is

completely unique. Every one of us inal,

is

an orig-

even a creative genius, in some way or ways.

We all have a long and winding and absolutely and each of us makes our

original path,

own

coveries in our It

can be helpful

person's story;

through

way. at

times to hear another

what has worked

might work for you

dis-

for

me

as well. Feel free to

this Introduction, if

just

skim

you wish. Find

the words that grab your interest,

and skip the

rest.

The core of

book

in Part

One, Part

Two, and the Summary. There, slow

down and

take in the words, especially in the

Summary,

which

is

just a

this

is

few pages. You'll notice that

I

re-

turn to the key points again and again, stating

13

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

them

in different ways.

portant, in

The

repetition

is

im-

my opinion; it can take a long time

for us to absorb this kind of Hfe-altering infor-

mation, and each time

\ve

hear

it

or read

it, it

sinks in a Uttle deeper.

Throughout the book, the essential points are in bold, centered. If

you wish

to quickly

grasp

the essence of this book,

just read the key points.

ril start

with

mv t\venties

earlv thirties,

I

had the oppo-

of the Midas touch. Everything

site fell

and

of mv storv. Throughout

a bit

apart.

Worse

vet,

tional roller coaster

varietv of anxieties

I

I

touched

was on an intense emo-

much

of the time, with a

and periods of immobiliz-

ing depression. I

dropped out of college

company

that

fell

apart within a year.

another company, and that just a

few months.

I

and got kicked out

14

to join a theater

fell

I

joined

apart too after

^vandered to a Zen center for breaking the rules.

I

Introdiictwn

experiment that only

tried a back-to-the-land

lasted a few cold, wet

months.

I

spent over

three years at a Tibetan Buddhist center, working verv hard,

making no monev at

tory I

that helped

wandered around the

it

I

^\*as

smorgas-

tired as a

for being too slow.

as a t^-pesetter for a

spiritual

California, for a few vears, liv-

on almost nothing.

and dishwasher had

in

life.

bord of Berkeley, ing

and not

mv understanding of improve mv unsatisfac-

making much progress

amthing

all,

I

busbov

was

tired

not showing up on time.

I

rock band that lasted a few years before

broke up.

THE 'DISCOVERY And then

I

turned

thirty.

shock, finally realizing

I

I

woke up

wasn t

a kid

in a state of

ammiore.

had no job and no sa\ings or anv other cept an old torn-up electric piano.

ing (a

word we used

often to

I

I

assets ex-

was scroimg-

come up \Mth

S65

every month for rent for m.v httle studio apart-

ment

in a funk\- part of

Oakland, California.

15

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

my hfe, because

That day changed

I

began

some ideas in some new ways, ideas before had just been occasional floating

to apply

that

thoughts, ephemeral and remote possibilities in

my

mind.

what became first

sat

I

—

down and wrote on paper

for

me,

— the

my words

in

secret of manifestation:

The first step

to discovering

the secret of manifestation to write your ideal

is

your dream

life five

scene on paper,

years in the future.

Begin with the end in mind,

and keep

it

in mind.

The day I turned thirty, a sheet of top. I

I

I

sat

down and took

paper and wrote Ideal Scene

imagined everything had gone

at the

as well as

could possibly imagine, and somehow, over

the next five years, for

life

would I

I

was able

me. What would

it

to create the ideal

look

like?

do and have, and who would

was surprised, even shocked

way, at what

16

I

came

spilling out

I

What

be?

in a strange

on paper.

I

Introduction

imagined

I

had

a publishing

cessfully publishing

my own

ing

no

books and music, includ-

books and music. Before

down and wrote solutely

company, suc-

my ideal

out

scene,

interest in business.

taken a business course.

book or recorded

my

I

I

I

sat

had ab-

I

had never

had never written

a

music. The words that

when I wrote my ideal scene surprised me as much as they were to surprise just spilled out

about everyone

imagined

I

else I

I

knew.

wrote successful books and

recorded beautiful music as well.

had

a lovely white

California,

imagined ship. I

I

home on

I

imagined

a hill in northern

one of my favorite places on

I

had

I

earth.

I

a wonderfully loving relation-

dared to imagine

had plenty of time

for

cessful business, friends

my ideal, so I imagined it all:

and

creativity, a suc-

family,

and plenty

of free time alone for myself as well.

And

I

added something

else that

changed

my life dramatically: When dared to think of my idealy the kind of life would have if could I

I

have anything

wanted was

a

at all,

life

I

I

realized

of ease.

I

didn't

what

I

really

want

to

work

17

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

too hard. The few forty-hour-a-week jobs tried hadn't

worked

many hours

felt

out,

and working

inhumane

wanted plenty of time plenty of time for

me.

to

for ease

and

I

my creative life, spiritual life,

with friends and family.

That was

my

ideal: success

with ease, and

compromising the other things

that were important to I

that

relaxation,

life

do what

had

Ideally,

and personal

success without

I

loved,

me

in

and not have

life. I

to

wanted

to

do anything

I

didn't really enjoy. I

didn't

know

it

at the time,

but

I

was be-

ginning to learn secrets that were far greater

than the secret of manifestation.

The simple step of writing down led

my ideal scene

me to discover the unfailing

natural laws of manifestation.

I

alized that within

it

was a

list

second sheet of paper and

18

and

stared at that sheet of paper awhile

of goals.

I

re-

took a

listed all the goals

I

Introduction

could think first.

It

of.

There were twelve of them,

(Now Tm down was

clearly:

to six.)

thirty years ago, but

As

I

was writing

saulted with doubts

and build

at

and

a successful

my

I

remember

goals,

fears.

I

was

I

as-

wrote, "Start

company," and

my

are

you

— You? Who

thoughts were churning

it

money and you need make money! You know nothing of

trying to kid? You have no

money

to

business! You

dont even

like business!

And

it'll

wreck your creativity! If II destroy your soul!

Money is the root of all evil! The rich man has as much chance of entering the Kingdom as a camel does ofgoing through the eye of a needle!

on

it

fears,

went

On and

— an endless stream of doubts,

and darkly negative thoughts.

But then read in a

Church

I

remembered something

book by Catherine Ponder,

I

had

a Unity

minister. She wrote about the

power

— simple statements or

decla-

of affirmations

rations that your

dream or goal is now coming

They work best when they're in the present tense, worded in a way that your into being.

19

.

.

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

subconscious

mind can accept and begin to

ab-

sorb and play with.

remember from Catherine Ponder s writing has become part of The most

my

daily

vivid phrase

She said that affirmations are

life.

even more effective this phrase: In

healthy

I

if

they start or end with

an easy and relaxed manner,

and positive way.

in a

.

So I took another sheet of paper and rewrote each goal as an affirmation, beginning with that phrase.

I

worded

my goal of starting and buildIn an easy

and

ing a successful business like

this:

relaxed manner, in a healthy

and positive way,

I

am now building a successful business. The second step

to discovering

the secret of manifestation is

to write

your goals as affirmationSy beginning with

In an easy and relaxed manner, in a healthy

Years

later,

and

positive way.

looking back,

powerful those words were

20

I

.

realized

how

— so powerful,

in

Introduction

fact, that

many

of

by repeating them

my

doubts and

are our doubts

and

daily,

fears.

overcame

I

What,

after

all,

whispering to us?

fears

It

isnt easy; ifs very difficult! It certainly isn't relaxed; ifs stressful! Ifs not healthy for you, not

even positive. You

you

re doing!

You

II

fail!

re a fool!

That powerful

little

and relaxed manner,

way

You dont know what

phrase

—

in a healthy

— repeated thousands of

in

an easy

and positive overcame

times,

me about five years, but I finally got it through my a lot of those

doubts and

thick skull that

it

fears. It

was possible

took

to create a great

deal of success in the world in an easy

and

re-

laxed manner, in a healthy and positive way.

Don't underestimate the power of those

words

— or

to yourself. tions.

the

power of any words you repeat

Our thoughts determine our

And our

ac-

actions lead, inevitably, to suc-

cess or failure, fulfillment or frustration.

my list of goals as affirmations and carried it around with me in my back pocket. I

typed up

I

often began the day by reading that

list. I

read

21

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

it

at

my

desk as

I

started to work.

read

I

it

in

the bathroom sometimes.

me knew

that

reading and rereading that hst,

my

Some deep scious

and

I

part of

mind would absorb

would eventually be

distant,

subcon-

sooner or

it

kept

if I

later,

able to turn those

ephemeral dreams into solid intentions

— and once

that happened, those intentions

would soon become Reading

my

reality.

of affirmations led

list

me

to

the next obvious step:

The next step

to discovering the secret

of

manifestation is

to write

a one-page plan

for every major goal.

It's

simple,

to be simple,

isn't it?

For me, the process has

and the words

I

write have to be

words a child about ten years old can derstand. That makes

subconscious I

mind

much

un-

easier for

my

to absorb those words.

took a separate sheet of paper for every

major goal on

22

it

easily

my

Hst

and wrote

a one-page

Introduction

plan to achieve that goal. This

little

process

took several months for some of the plans, because

I

didn

t

even

The only plan

know where I

to start.

could think of

at first for

starting a business involved just a few action steps:

to

Read a used business textbook, and

anyone

ness than

could

I

did.

I

talk

who knew more about busi-

These

little

and then take the next

steps led

me to

see

step of actually writing

a simple, one-page plan.

That led to the

final step:

The final step

to discovering

the secret of manifestation is

to take action.

When you

have a plan,

an intention

When you

will form.

take action^

nothing can stop you. This step became obvious as soon as taken the other steps.

I

kept reviewing

I'd

my plans

— and rewriting them, because most of them changed the time — and then out all

I'd pull

23

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

my little

weekly calendar and write

action step to take

on

a specific day.

being consciously aware of

Not only am

ing, to achieve this goal,

Without

at first,

it

sending a powerful message to scious mind:

down an

my

I

was

subcon-

planning, in writ-

I

but

am

I

taking the

next steps necessary to get there. .At age thirty

years later

I

success that

I

was

was a poverty case; about a millionaire.

had eluded

me

for so

became simple and obvious Great success of a great all

is

The

to

six

secret to

many years

me:

the result

many small steps,

moving toward a

clearly defined goal.

That is the secret of manifestation.

Maybe some of you are thinking it can t be that simple. Or you've heard it all before, and there's nothing new in it. It's true there is nothing new in it, and you've probably heard

—

it all

before.

steps set

And

it is

simple

your course* Then

— these simple

it's

just a matter

of

ongoing course correction, of getting back on

24

Introduction

course every time you wander off course into

doubts and

fears, frustration

and

anxiety.

How do you get back on course? ing,

By

focus-

once again, on your goals and affirmations,

and remembering your plans and moving ahead

on those plans I

in

whatever way you can.

once heard that an airplane

is

off course

over ninety percent of the time. But the pilot just keeps correcting the course, over

and the plane

and

over,

finally reaches its destination.

When I heard that, I thought, Thafs the story of my life. I set my course, and then kept going off course, over and over. So I had to reset my course, over

and over

That sums up the whole process for me.

THE O^ALUE OF TVERY MOMENT OF THE TAST Once

I

set

my

course,

I

noticed a fascinating

process begin to unfold. Before

I

went through

my thirtieth birthday, I had the image that all my past experience

those few simple steps

had come

on

to nothing, that

it

had slipped away

25

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

sand through

like

course, once

my fingers. But once

wrote a simple plan,

I

I

realize that every experience I'd ever

teens I

and

and

I

had learned

all that.

had was

twenties.

had learned

steps

began to

a great deal in

a great

many valuable secrets,

but I hadn't yet applied them in tle

my

set

my activities and wanderings through my

valuable,

various

I

1

took the day

As soon

as

I

I

my life. The lit-

turned thirty changed

affirmed

my goals, made a

short plan to reach those goals, and took the first

few obvious steps in front of me, those

somehow made me far more many things I had learned in the

simple actions

aware of so

past. Instead

of feeling as

if

everything

learned had slipped through sand, leaving

my

me with nothing, I

I

had

fingers like

realized

I

had

absorbed a great deal of information and

knowledge that could help In

my

months

early twenties

for

a miserable

I

me reach my goals. worked about

one of the world's worst bosses

man who had

six

—

learned the secret

of manifestation but had no clue to the far greater secrets of a

26

life

well lived.

I

realized if

I

Introduction

did exactly the opposite of what he did,

become

I

could

good employer and leader. He taught

a

me what not to do, and to me all my life. Another time

in

that's

been invaluable

my early twenties

wan-

I

dered into a bookshop in Madison, Wisconsin, that specialized in Western magic.

maybe an hour with several books.

talked for

owner and

the

That was

I

left

with

my introduction to the

Western mystical traditions, drawn primarily

from the Kaballah, an

branch of

esoteric

Ju-

daism, and from Egyptian traditions.

The most memorable book time

is

one

I still

cises

a nutshell,

I still

do

got at that

read to this day, The Art of

True Healing by Israel Regardie.

magic in

I

and

it

gave

fairly regularly,

It is

Western

me some exer-

not only for heal-

ing myself and others, but for the creation of

wealth and fulfillment as well. (The main rea-

son

continue to do these exercises

I

them

flat

on

my back,

in

bed

is

that

— the

kind of exercise for someone as lazy as I

first

began yoga theater

classes

company.

when It

I

I

do

favorite I

am.)

was with

my

was tremendously

27

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

healing for body, mind,

and spirit, and I

feel

I'm

reaping the benefits of that yoga, though

still

Fm too lazy to do much of I

saw

began meditating

it

on

at that

a regular basis.

time as

new inner space open

a vast

well,

and

up, a world of

the mind, created in an instant by the mind,

and somehow connected

to

an inner source of

abundance, and fulfillment.

I

discov-

ered a quiet center within, from which

we can

creativity,

create a far better

and help others these

new

all

went back

experience for ourselves

as well.

tools that

began to see I

life

I

wasn't sure

how to use

were given to me, but

I

kinds of new possibilities. to the Bible in

my late twenties

and reread the words of Christ.

I

collected the

sayings of Christ — every word he New Testament — booklet and

said in the

in a

ried

it

around with

ple words,

words

little

car-

me for a while. In very sim-

a child can understand, Christ

gave us both the secret of manifestation and the greatest secret of

all.

Ask and you seek

That 28

is

shall receive;

and you

will find:

the secret of manifestation.

.

Introduction

Love one another, as I have loved you.

Love your neighbors as yourself; love your enemies.

That

is

the greatest secret of all.

How much simpler and clearer could these words possibly be? What authority and power words of Christ!

are in the

The words of Catherine Ponder as well have stayed with

me and

taken. Actually,

it

affected every step

phrase you'll hear

studied

found

it is

my

life

—

me repeat, over and over:

an easy and relaxed manner,

I

have

was just that one phrase from

Catherine Ponder that changed

positive way.

I

in a healthy

a

In

and

.

Buddhism over the years, too, and

totally

compatible with Christianity

— and Judaism, and Islam, and every other religion that. has a great vision at

Buddhism effective

is

more

its

center.

a practical philosophy

therapy than

it is

and

a religion, in the

usual sense of the word. In Buddhism, there

is

nothing to believe, no Apostles' Creed. Buddha's last

words to

his followers

were to accept 29

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

nothing he had said as the truth until they tested

it

in their

own

experience and found

it

to be true.

Gradually, reading the words of Jesus, study-

ing

Buddhism, and meditating had

on me, physically, mentally, and emo-

influence tionally.

their quiet

Most of

my

over time, with very

anxieties were' relieved little effort,

my

and

de-

pression completely dissolved. I

began

to

understand that

didn't have an external cause;

I

my

anxieties

was creating

them myself through my own rampant thoughts

and heedless

activities.

Over time,

that the world out there isn't doing

I'm doing

it

to myself.

We

realized

I

to

it

cause our

me

own

—

suf-

fering.

Yes,

we

will certainly

some times

in

our

lives; just

physical bodies, pain

fering

is

optional.

problems

have physical pain

is

We

because

unavoidable

at

we have

— but

suf-

are the creators of our

— not anyone

else,

and not the

vast

world outside.

When Buddha

touched the earth

at the

moment of his enlightenment, all his problems 30

Introduction

evaporated, never to return, for he understood that the cause of his

mind, and he was

problems was within

able,

through

his

this insight, to

more problems for himself. changed in that moment: His suffering

avoid causing any

His hfe

and frustration were completely transmuted into love, compassion, abiding serenity,

and

light.

When Buddha

touched the earth, he

dis-

covered the greatest secret of all.

I

had gathered

in

a lot of very

my twenties,

but

it

good information

hadn't yet affected

my

The teachings of Christ, Buddha, medita-

life.

tion, yoga,

and Western magic had been

nating to me, but case.

I

was

still

a frustrated poverty

The information had not become knowl-

edge that affected

my day-to-day

the knowledge had not

guided

dreams

become wisdom

as I

I

that

dared to dream the most expan-

could, as soon as

a plan, in writing, to reach

mation

experience;

my life.

As soon sive

fasci-

I

I

dared to make

my goals, the infor-

had gathered over the years suddenly

31

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

became something tion

by

could use: The informa-

I

became knowledge

that guided me, step

of manifestation

step, to discover the secret

and,

more important, the

greatest secret of

all.

TDEALING 'WITH DOUBTS

AND TEARS As soon

as

I

dared to imagine

my ideal scene, I

was overwhelmed with doubts and obviously essential to learn

fears. It is

how to deal with all

would sabotage

us.

That

becomes the most important work of all,

for if

the inner voices that

we let doubts and fears undermine our dreams, we will never be able to attain those dreams. Our doubts and fears are our worst enemies,

and our best teachers

When

I

look back on

few simple things

I

as well.

it,

there were just a

did to overcome most of

my doubts and fears. The first one I've already mentioned: I started affirming that my goals were coming into being

in

an easy and relaxed

manner, in a healthy and positive way. Those

32

.

Introduction

words alone became powerful for

good in my life. Another thing I did was

creative forces

to just

make a sim-

remember my thirtieth birthday pacing up and down in my little slum

ple decision. vividly,

I

apartment, talking to myself.

My cat looked at

me

crazy.

like

he thought

I'd

gone

and before

I

got the

stopped

down my

pacing long enough to write scene,

I

ideal

sentence out

first

was inundated with doubts and

I

fears.

They were all very sensible, realistic, and rational. How can you possibly dare to dream of even a

little

success,

Look at you, you

much

a great success?

less

re thirty years old

and

harely

scrounging your cheap rent together every month.

You

re a fool

with money. You re a poverty

What makes you

think you can change

You obviously dont have what look

around you and you know

it

case.

all that?

takes.

Take a

that's true!

Those inner voices went on and on. But

remembered something I'd heard years before. There was an inventor and visionary then

I

named

R.

Buckminster Fuller

who

did a lot of

speaking, mostly at universities, in the

sixties.

33

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Someone told me he said that in his twenties he had come to a point where he decided to either commit suicide or look at his life as some kind of unique experiment. Fortunately for of us, he chose the life

he said

it

had

latter, all

and

been "a

at the

all

end of his

fifty-year exper-

iment." I

latched

erally said

on

to that

out loud to

word

all

experiment,

I lit-

my doubts and fears.

Why not look at it as an experiment? Why not go for my dreams, purely as an experiment?

My doubts It

and

fears

were quick to

cant possibly work. No way!

trying to fool? But

doesnt work, right

was able

are

you

to say. Look, if

wont he any worse

off than I

it

am

now!

My that,

I

I

Who

reply,

doubts and fears couldn't argue with

though they were certain

my experiment

was a ridiculous waste of time. But I got around those doubts and fears by saying to them. Give

me a year or

two

to try this,

purely as an experi-

ment. If after that time I find out you re

have

to

agree with you

realistic.

34

right, Vll

and he more sensible and

But Vm going to

try this experiment, just

Introduction

because

seems

it

also because

lazy as

it

really

I

The

like

a good thing to do.

me to continue to be as

allowed

wanted

to be!)

vast majority of

time were convinced

my

would

I

want

he as lazy as you

(And

to

he

thoughts fail.

and

at the

How can you

still

succeed in

Impossihle! Ifs never heen done in the his-

life?

tory of humanity!

into taking

But

was able

I

to talk myself

my first tentative sie^s, purely as an

experiment.

Within a year, I knew it would work.

was

a struggle, but

still

to convince

and that of

it

me

that

in a healthy

Another thing

I

did that overcame a great

a

ness,

in

my

was

to go

late twenties. It

man named Ken

book

fears

had stumbled into during

end seminar by a

me to create the life

positive way.

number of doubts and I

for

an easy and relaxed manner,

in

and

could see enough signs

was on the right track

I

was possible

my dreams

a process

I

called

My life

Keyes,

Handbook

to

Jr.,

through a

week-

was led

the author of

Higher Conscious-

During the weekend, we went through an

35

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

exercise called the

Core Belief Process.

volves asking yourself

and answering

of simple questions.

go through

I

now

Part One, so

later, in

I'll

It

in-

a series

in detail

it

an ex-

just give

ample of it.

my

By

mid-thirties,

I

had

my own

started

company and written some books and recorded

some music, but financial low:

up

set

was

still

a chaotic struggle,

and emotionally. Then

financially

had

it

The

we

months of

sales,

and

I

didn't get paid for six

had $65,000 of

every month.

The company kept coming rectly

in

from

as

I

us,

got a

and

new

me more

off

my

minimum

vividly the last time

36

car

enough checks

on the

di-

credit cards.

As

one, I'd run to the bank,

some cash out with

my

just

barely, mirac-

kept afloat only because

I

get

old

—

from customers who bought

banks kept offering

soon

afloat

— because we had

ulously

credit

make even the

card debt, without the means to

minimum payments

my

company we

distribution

collapsed,

hit

I

I

the

new

card,

payments.

had

to

do

I

and pay

remember

that.

I

was

in

freeway, heading to the bank.

Introduction

remembered the Core Belief Process and said to myself, This is the best time to do it when you re and

I

was agitated and

frustrated.

I

—

upset about something.

So

I

went through a

asking and answering

drove

down

was before

list

of simple questions,

them out loud while

the freeway, alone in cell

people looking

phones, and at

me

This

caught several

I

as if they

thought

I

had

my mind.

lost

asked,

I

"What is

the problem?"

was immediate and

forceful:

fm

Vm

nearly bankrupt.

Someday

tion.

in

The answer

The problem

way

my

over

is

head.

the bottom will fall out.

"What emotions

are

you

feeling?" Frustra-

Anger. Fear. Guilt. Sadness.

"What physical

My My

my car.

I

neck

is

rigid,

stomach

is

sensations are

shoulders too

you

— Vm

feeling?"

uptight!

uncomfortable, anxious.

probably headed for an ulcer

if this

I

was

continued

much longer. "What

are

you thinking about?"

with money! I dont understand

it.

I

Vm

a fool

cant save

A fool and his money are soon parted.

it.

That's the

37

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Story of

my

for sure. Ifs completely out of

life,

manage

control I cant

it.

"What is the worst thing that could happen in this situation?" / could go bankrupt.

pany could fail

My com-

miserably.

"What's the very worst thing that could

happen?" drunken

/ could die, slowly

bum in

the gutter,

and

painfully, a

and no one would care

or even notice.

"What is the best thing that could happen? What would you like to have happen ideallyV For some reason, this was harder to put into

words than even to think

Vm

about

awhile,

and then

not capable of budgeting

mess.

Some people can do

best thing in

it

my worst fears had been.

our

would be

sales,

to

my

credit cards

wouldn't have

"What 38

that,

to

but not me. The

wed

distributor that

be solidly profitable

big enough to

pay

and build my savings

point where I could

work

know

have an explosive growth

and Vd have cash bonuses all

said, /

had

my way out of this

and a great new

pays us on time. Then

I

I

live off

my

off

to the

savings

and

for a living.

fear or limiting belief

is

keeping you

Introduction

from creating what you want?" / am a fool with money.

I

am

out of control. I dont have what

hard

takes. Ifs so

it

to succeed.

"What affirmation can you come up with that counteracts that negative or limiting belief?"

The words

am

that sprang to

and

sensible

mind were startling: of my finances. I

in control

creating total financial success^ in

laxed manner, in a healthy

Those words

an easy and

/

am re-

and positive way.

felt really

good

to

me, and

I

pulled over

on the shoulder of the road and

wrote them

down

Later

I

so

wouldn't forget a word.

I

wrote the affirmation

down several times

my pocket, on my desk at work, on the dresser in my bedroom, on the mirror in the bathroom. I kept it in front of my face and kept and put it in

repeating

it,

especially

when

I'd start feeling all

those old fears and anxieties again.

my financial situation improved substantially. We found a great new distributor. Our sales picked up. A Within

a matter of

months,

new bookkeeper came along who definitely helped me become far more sensible and in control of my finances.

(I

am eternally grateful 39

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Group West, for their excellence distribution, and to Victoria Clarke, our

to Publishers

in

CFO

to this day, for her financial

sawy and

guidance.) It

finally

money is like

dawned on me

managing

that

simple, so simple that even

me can do

You just need to

it.

make more than you spend and foreign concept then keep doing

to

me

—

way to was a new

find a

this

at the

someone

time

— and

consistently, so that over

it

time you build wealth. You simply need to

watch your spending so you reach the place

where your income penses. This

is

is

greater than your ex-

not rocket science or brain sur-

something anyone can understand.

gery. This

is

Even me,

a fool

with money.

I

un-

I'm no longer a fool with money.

derstand

it,

Now Tm

a magician with

ings

and other

and

I

assets earn

don't need to even

magic, in

Now that

my opinion

—

money

— my

more than lift

I

sav-

need,

a finger. That's

real, practical

magic.

There was one other thing that happened about that time

40

—

in

my mid-thirties

—

at

that

Introduction

helped to quickly turn a disaster into a success. It

involved just a single phrase

radio.

Someone quoted Napoleon

book Think and Grow versity I

is

Hill

from

his

Rich: ''Within every ad-

the seed of an equal or greater benefit''

wrote that

down and put

it

in big letters

my phone on my desk, where I would

right

by

see

almost every day. Later on

it

heard on the

I

Within every problem years later

I

added

is

I

added

an opportunity.

a third phrase that

I

to

And

read in

the prose version of the Bhagavad Gita that

published: ''Even in the knocks of life

it:

we

we can find

great gifts''

Those phrases turned

my thinking around,

many times, over many years. As I encountered and obstacles that inevitably arose,

the problems

What

benefits could there

possibly be in this situation?

What opportunities?

I

would ask

myself.

What gifts?

And

I

found something wonderful and

amazing (and those words are not exaggera-

When you ask that question, you get answers. And they're the perfect answers for you,

tions):

because they

come from within

you, and they

41

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

connect you to a powerfully creative source within.

What benefits can possibly come from being on the verge of bankruptcy? What opportunities? What gifts? As soon as I asked that, I realized full

I

was

in this

mess because

I

hadn't taken

responsibility for the success or failure of

my company more

I

kept looking for someone with

more knowledge, to come along and rescue me and show me what to do. That person hadn't come along, so / had to be that person. The buck had to stop with me. As soon as I made the decision to take the reins of my company in spite of all my shortexperience,

—

comings and lack of experience and doubts and fears

—

dreams as

I

in

soon

took control of the realization of my

some new way And I

as

I

really

discovered that,

took responsibility for the

success of my struggling company,

strengths

and knowledge

Not only

that,

as well

42

didn't

found new

know

I

had.

but other people came along

and helped

came along because benefits

1

I

me I

immeasurably. They

could show them the

and opportunities and

gifts for all

of

Introduction

us

if

we worked

together to create a successful

company.

A great benefit and gift from our near bankruptcy was that a team came together that

knew how

to build successful partnerships.

We began to create win-win partnerships with everyone, and that soon led us to the point

where

I

had completely

dared to imagine

What

is

when

realized the I

life I

had

asked the question,

the best thing that could

happen?

The dream of my ideal scene had seemed insubstantial at

first,

so

and had brought up so

many doubts and fears

— and

yet

I

managed to

create the Hfe of

my dreams,

doubts and

weaknesses and shortcomings.

I

set

fears,

in spite of

all

my

my course clearly, and looked at it all as an

experiment. I

affirmed

cess, in

and I

ties, I

I

was creating total

financial suc-

an easy and relaxed manner, in a healthy

positive way.

began to ask myself what the opportunibenefits,

and

gifts

were in every situation

was confronted with.

43

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Slowly, over a period of several years,

my

doubts and fears became weaker and weaker.

Those old paths through the synapses of brain got fainter and fainter as paths

more

powerful

often, based

I

my

took new

on new and

far

more

beliefs.

my old beliefs changed — and, step my dreams began to manifest, in an

Slowly,

by

step,

easy and relaxed manner, in a healthy and positive \vav.

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL We

have

all

had intimations and glimpses of

the greatest secret throughout our

have

all

heard the greatest secret

When we discover

We

it, it

lives.

We

many times.

transforms our

lives.

We know it when we gaze into the eyes of our children. We find

know

it

it

^vhen

we

fall

in love.

whenever we become

and appreciation

someone or something. it, over and over, and fall

back into those old habitual

44

with joy

for

But then we forget

tions.

filled

fears

and

frustra-

Introduction

we need to do

All

secret again It

— and

again,

has been said in so

so

remember this and

many

again,

and

great

again.

different ways, in

many different words. Here's my attempt, in

my words, to tle

to

is

express

stodgy to me;

that

put

1

These words

it.

might speak more

it

in other

words

later

directly to you:

We have a great purpose in a missioriy vocatiotiy and

We are here to groWy to

feel a lit-

life

—

calling.

to evolve,

reach our full potential

and contribute

to the

betterment

of the world. This

is

what has remained

of humanity:

we

Our

We

a secret for

most

we

think

are far greater than

Most of us have just barely begun to realize who we are and what we are capable of. We have had just brief are.

potential

glimpses of the far

is

vast.

more expansive possibilities

that are within our reach.

Our

task, then,

is

to discover

contribution to the world and

our unique

let it

shine for

45

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

all

the world to see.

others do

And when we do it, we help

as well,

it

grows, until

it

change in our

and the

becomes

lives

and

known

grows and

a powerful force for

in the world.

We know the secret, deep always

light

our hearts. We've

in

the secret.

To love one another^

and all of creation, is

the greatest secret of all

Love overcomes

allfear,

and transforms our lives and our world. It

was

in

my little morning prayer

thing Fve done daily for I

many years

finally realized the secret in

— some— where

words even a child

can understand. The words quietly come to

now nearly every morning. get quiet,

and

listen.

I

ask for guidance,

The words

ways the same, and they give secret of

46

are almost al-

me

the greatest

all:

Love, servcy

me

and remember,

Introduction

Remember

what'f

Remember WTien

I

ask.

to love

and serve.

hear the word serve,

I

Vm

often re-

minded of a great poem b)' Rabindranath Tagore:

and dreamt that life was joy. I woke and found that life was service. I acted, and behold! Service was joy. I slept

Sometimes sometimes

I

I

hear that

poem

in

my

mind;

hear other words.

Remember

love overcomes fear.

Love opens the gates of heaven. \Ve have a choice bet^veen love and fear.

Love

rises

above fear and opens us up to

greater possibihties, to a higher a^vareness

far

and

po^ver.

Remember who yon

are:

a child of God,

an essential part of a miraculous creation. 47

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Einstein famously said, as if

nothing

a miracle.

is

at

it

a miracle, or as if everything

is

choose the

I

"We can look

latter."

Remember that love finds the perfect partnership in all

Partnership

is

we do.

the key, not only to great suc-

cess in the world,

but to a

most

imaginable.

fulfilling life

This

is

life

well lived, the

the greatest secret of all:

Loving and serving yourself and others is

the key to fulfillmenty happiness,

and peace. It

has been told over and over, of course, in

countless traditions throughout the world. Christ put

it

simply and

clearly:

A new lavs^I give unto you: Love one another, as I have loved you,

— John

48

13:34

Introduction

new law of Christ's

This

and compassion creation,

all life.

for

all,

is

one of tolerance

based on love for

When we

all

we

follow this law,

find the peace within us, the peace that passes all

understanding, and

ate peace in

Buddha and

lived

it

our

lives

we

and

find the

way to

cre-

in the world.

realized the greatest secret of

and talked about

it

all,

thousands of

times, over fifty years of teaching:

When you wake up, you are filled with You might your words, This

is

is

a

the

most

and compassion.

find different words.

the greatest secret of

good question

can lead you to live

love

fulfill

What,

all?

to ask, because

exquisite

life

possible. to see

answers everywhere. The entire universe celebration of the greatest secret of

of life.

It is

love,

it

your greatest dreams and

Once you ask the question, you begin

cret

in

of course. Love

all:

is

is

a

the se-

the driv-

ing force of all of creation.

The answers

are everywhere: In the plant

49

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

on your windowsill, your

cat in the sun, a tree,

the ocean, a sign by the side of the road, a

phrase you hear or see somewhere, anywhere at

all.

This

is

from Bangkok Haunts,

a mystery

novel by John Burdett:

When you

tear

away

the last veil

you know with certainty that love

is

the foundation

of human consciousnessy that there really

is

nothing else.

Ifs our constant betrayal of it

that

makes us

crazy.

Amen! All

gions,

worthwhile philosophies, all

great

works of art lead

all

great reli-

to love.

As Leo Tolstoy wrote, "The task of the writer is

to seize the readers

and force them Life

and

by the back of the neck

to love

love are

life."

synonymous.

Life, love,

God, Allah, Jehovah, Creator, the All, Christ Consciousness, the

Buddha Mind,

the Great Mystery,

the Great Goddess, Nature, Spirit, the Tao, the

50

Introduction

quantum field, the plenum voidy Presence, Being all these words are interchangeable. All great philosophies, religions, and art

—

lead to the greatest secret of all:

We are created in love, by love, and for

love.

We are sustained in an endless ocean of love.

Ramana Maharshi, one of the leading lights of India in the sweetly, in

last century,

put

it

so simply

and

one of the most beautiful phrases

ever said:

The end of all wisdom

is

love,

love, love.

51

i

I

TART ONE

Discovering the secret of manifestation in

your own wordsy

and applying it in your own way

When we use our imagination properly it is it is

our greatest friend;

goes beyond reason

and

the only light that takes us everywhere.

SWAMI 'VIVEKANANDA

You as your

will

become as great

dominant aspiration

If you cherish a vision,

a lofty ideal in your hearty

you

will realize

it,

JAMES ALLEN

THE TAW OF MANIFESTATION There are no

secrets, just truths

creative laws that

we

and powerfully

remain hidden from us

until

are ready to understand them. There

nothing

is

new in these laws and truths; they have

The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most ancient books ever written at

been taught for

least

ages.

5,000 years old

— put

I use the

—

it

this

way:

word secrets

not because these things are hidden

hut because so few people are prepared to

No one

is

hear them today.

keeping these laws

writers, spiritual leaders,

secret. Teachers,

and successful people

have been writing and talking about them for

thousands of years. They have tried to show

55

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

people the secrets in the best ways they could,

and

I

am

giving you the secrets in the clearest

words I can

find.

But most of humanity has not

been able to understand

What used

—

until, possibly,

be considered esoteric

to

is

now.

now

soHdly in the mainstream, understood and em-

braced by millions of people worldwide.

The

—

secret of manifestation

in fact,

it is

is

not complicated

very simple, which

is

one reason

why so few people understand it. It appears too simple and too obvious, and we feel it should be more complex somehow, or at least more original not something weVe heard many

—

times before. It

cant he that simple, our thoughts whisper.

child can understand that. Ifs got to he

complicated. If ifs so simple^

people realized

it?

A

more

why haven t more

There's got to he

more

to

it.

Or it seems strangely puzzling or enigmatic when we hear it. It doesn't make sense. Or it seems to be

just words, a

that has nothing to

of our

56

lives.

grand-sounding idea

do with the hard

realities

And so, even though we have heard

Part

the law over

and

over,

it

remains a secret that

quickly brushed aside and forgotten.

no impact on our

lives

One

—

It

is

has had

until, possibly,

now.

The simple law of attraction and manifestation

number of people, you as well. The key is to

has worked for a countless

and put

it it

can work for

your

in

own words and

apply

it

in

your

own way.

How

can you describe the law of manifesta-

tion in your

own words? Once you can do that,

you can understand the good

in

our

we can in

it

to

express this law

own words,

truly understand

can only give you

you, that

is

it

ways that have the power to affect

take

and put

use.

Once we can

I

secret

our lives.

my words. If they work for

wonderful. But most of you have to

my words

and change them, add

to

them

and subtract from them, using the vocabulary

57

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

you're comfortable with, before

you can make

the secret your own.

Here

is

how I describe the law of manifestation,

as simply

and

works

me:

for

clearly as

I

can, in language that

We are powerfully creative beings. When we focus our conscious mind on a dream or goal, our

limitless subconscious

mind

gets to work,

and shows

how to

us, step

reach that goal.

The law of manifestation the laws of physics

by step,

—

is

as

much

in fact, the

a law as

law of mani-

festation incorporates the laws of physics

chemistry,

and

is

an

and

essential part of all the nat-

work together to create this extraordinary planet and our phenomenal bodies, with their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. Just the fact that we are capaural laws that

ble of understanding these words,

58

and of using

Part

them

One

become wonderfully creative, is a miritself, beyond words to truly describe.

to

acle in

The law of manifestation is the miraculous law of creation. The exact ways this law operates to apparently create something out of nothing will

remain a great mystery for years to come,

but regular people with

little

— even you and me — can simple law in our Here's another these are the

or no education easily

apply this

lives.

way

to describe

words that work

for

it

—

again,

me, and you

may have to change some of my phrases to the right words that

work

Great success of a great all

is

for you:

the result

many small steps,

moving toward a This

is

find

clearly defined goal

the secret of manifestation.

know some of you are still thinking it can't be that simple. Or you're thinking you've heard it all before, and there's nothing new in it. And it's true there is nothing new in this, and I'll

repeat:

I

—

59

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

you've probably heard simple. For me,

it

it all

-

.

before.

has to be simple.

And

Once

it is 1

can

express these things in words a child can understand, then even I

am

I

certain this

can understand them. is

the process:

Once we can

consciously understand and express this idea in simple words,

cepts

it

our subconscious mind ac-

and begins operating with

and our

it,

mind is limitlessly powerful. It is connected, after all, in some mysterious way, to the whole of creation. It has the power to show us how to take whatever steps we need to take subconscious

to live the life of

There are cret

our dreams.

many different ways in which this se-

can be

told.

Here

is

another:

We have the power within us to clearly

imagine

what we wish

to attain.

The more often we focus our powerful thoughts

on our dreams andgoalsy the closer

60

we come

to realizing those

dreams,

Part

One

we need to take become obvious and doable.

because the steps

How

can you describe the simple and pro-

found law of manifestation

in

your

own words?

Once you can do that, you understand the secret. Once you understand it, what are you going to do with

want to to

it?

What kind

create for yourself?

make, and you have

of

life

The choice

do you is

yours

limitless possibilities to

choose from.

THE TOUR SIMPLE STEPS TO MANIFESTATION Over the past

thirty years,

I

have developed a

very simple system to help us manifest our

dreams.

It

has been assembled from

ferent sources, as

change and adapt

you it

as

will see.

Take

many difit

in,

then

you wish.

This system has four steps that can be

summa-

rized in four powerful words: dream, imagine, believe, create.

61

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Dream It all

begins with a dream, which

at first is

nothing but an ephemeral idea in our minds. all

It

begins with simply allowing ourselves to

dream, daring to dream.

Henry David Thoreau clearly nearly

said

it

beautifully

and

two centuries ago:

Of course you need to build

That

is

your castles

in the air.

where they should

be.

Then you put the foundations under them. That sums up

this entire process. First

you

dream, then you take whatever steps you can

toward that dream, and along the way you ate a solid foundation, step

What happens

—

soon

as

step.

we dare

to

dream?

or

— worse

cynical thinking rushes in,

and our

Doubts and yet

as

by

cre-

fears

rush

in, realistic

dreams are quickly squelched. So we have learn to set those doubts for the

62

moment. We'll

and fears

deal with

to

aside, at least

them later. We

Part

have to learn to thoughts, and

let

even our

set aside

One

realistic

our inner dreamer, our inner

visionary, be free to imagine possibilities.

The

process

little

cise that

worked

a sheet of paper top.

I

suggest

me

for

— the simple —

initially

and write

exer-

to take

is

Ideal Scene at the

Put aside your doubts and fears and even

moment, and imagine

"realistic"

thinking for a

five years

have passed and

book and by

so

—

many other

— you have created the

life

inspired by this

things in your

life

of your dreams.

Let your imagination freely roam, without any restrictions. Let

your

at first. We'll deal

spirit soar. Let

it

be

ideal,

with reality soon enough. As

Stephen Covey put

it

in

The Seven Habits of

Highly Effective People,

Begin with the end in mind.

Look

at

it

as a

worthwhile experiment.

takes a few minutes,

and

has a great power in

it

your

life

yet this

little

— the power

to

It

only

exercise

change

and your world.

63

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Take a blank sheet ofpaper

and write Ideal Scene

at the top.

Imagine five years have passed

and everything has gone as well as you could possibly imagine.

What does your life look like? What

is

your

ideaP. ^^^lat

kind of

What do you

life

do you

What do you have? What have you accomplished? What kind of person are you? Where do you live? What have, ideally?

does a typical day look

Does your so,

do?

like?

ideal scene include a life of ease? If

include that, and keep this thought in mind:

It is

possible,

I

assure you, to create a wonder-

fully successful life life

and career and

still

have a

of ease, with plenty of time for family,

friends,

and

yourself.

Begin with the dream, with the

A

ideal,

and keep

dream seems so insubstantial at first, and yet our lives and careers are built on dreams. Our world is built on dreams. it

64

in

mind,

Part

One

have dreamed about our castle in the

air;

Imagine

We

now we need it,

to

imagine

how we

can build

starting with a strong foundation in solid

ground.

me

This step became obvious to read through

number of clearly.

my ideal

goals,

and

scene. I

soon

as

Within

needed

to

This was the next step, and

it

I

were a

list

it

as

them

was sim-

ple to do:

Take another sheet ofpaper, write Goals at the topy

and list every goal you can think of for the next few years,

A simple list of goals. That's all there is to Maybe

that's all you'll

it.

need to do: Put your of steps you

dream, your ideal scene, into a

list

need to take to get

your

there. List

goals,

and

take the next obvious steps toward those goals.

65

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

When I first listed my goals and stared at them for a while,

saw that the next obvious step

I

for

me was writing those goals as affirmations, as if they were already happening, in that moment.

Write your goals as affirmations.

Write them in a way that subconscious mind. this

moment

thing far

It is

on, you are

more

is

believable to your

believable that,

from

now becoming some-

expansive. You're not saying to

your subconscious mind that you have arrived

somewhere or attained something, because you

know your believe /

subconscious mind doesn't really

it.

am now a

millionaire

is

something your sub-

conscious

mind would probably have difficulty

accepting

if

you're scrounging to pay the rent

every month.

Word your

affirmations in ways

your subconscious mind can accept,

as if you're

in the process of becoming or creating

want

66

in

life:

what you

.

Part

One

am now becoming successful doing what I love. I am now creating total financial success. That's I

worded

in a

way your subconscious can

accept.

That's a powerful affirmation.

We can add that wonderful secret to fulfillment from Catherine Ponder: Begin or end your affirmations with In an easy and relaxed manner, in a healthy

and

positive way.

Repetition of those four words

—

healthy, positive

in itself

—

.

easy, relaxed,

overcomes a great

many of the fears and doubts that arise when we move into new territories in our lives. It isnt easy,

our

stressful!

fears whisper. It isnt relaxed

sand

ifs

But we can get to a point where we can

say to those fears, healthy

—

and positive

times,

and

it is

Yes, it is

—

/

easy

and

have affirmed

now true

in

relaxed,

it

a thou-

my experience.

word we say, and every word we think, has creative power in

Affirmations are powerful. Every

67

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

it.

Thoughts lead

gap between our

to actions that can bridge the castles in the

clouds and our

foundations here on solid earth.

Another powerful phrase to include in your firmations

is

in its

highest good of all cific

for

goal in

example

mind

—

own

Even

I

affirm that

and

is

good

to

a clear, spe-

for this year,

remind our-

unfolding in

for the highest

this year, in

in a healthy

own

good of all.

an easy and relaxed

and positive way,

in

perfect time, for the highest good of all

conscious

its

my company is increasing its profits

by 50 percent

manner,

we have

— our income

selves that everything

perfect time

perfect time, for the

if

it is still

af-

mind seems

to have

its

own

My sub-

no problem

with the apparent contradiction of affirming a

amount of income for the year and then adding in its own perfect time. It feels good specific

to

me,

me

in fact, to

that the

add those words:

growth of

it

reminds

my company

involves

same natural laws as everything else that is growing and thriving, and the company will grow and thrive in its own way, in its own per-

the

fect time.

68

Part

One

And it s good to close with what some of us call the "cosmic insurance policy":

This or something better in totally satisfying

is

now manifesting

and harmonious ways

for the highest good of all.

This or something better

Keep

telling yourself those

become

true in your

now

is

manifesting.

words, and they'll

life.

of affirmations around with

Carry your

list

you. Keep

in front of you. Repeat

it

your

affir-

mations often to imprint them on your subconscious mind.

Then

just relax, kick back,

acles unfold.

and watch the mir-

You have discovered the

manifestation.

You have

it

secret of

within you, in your

ever-creative imagination.

The

first

imagine

step

is

to

dream; the second

how those dreams

to

can possibly come

into being.

We

how do we

realize those goals?

have our

is

list

of goals

— now 69

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

The

secret

is

to

draw up

a blueprint, a plan.

To build anything, you need a blueprint.

The secret is

to

make a plan.

How do you go about this, exactly? Maybe you can just

sit

down

at this

major goal and make goal.

But before

ercise that

moment

with each

a brief plan to reach that

that, there's

another

little

ex-

might open up whole new worlds

for you: Listing

What Ifs,, This

great

little

trick

is

something I adapted over time from Lenedra

J.

Carroll's powerful

All

book The Architecture of

Abundance. Like the other action steps

above,

it

takes just a few minutes.

down, take a piece of paper, and write your dream or goal at the top. Then list every What Sit

If you

can think up

— every expansive

possi-

would move you toward your goal. For growing my company's profits, for example, two What Ifs might be What if we pubUsh a huge bestseller by a promising new author and

bility that

What if we branch

out into more electronic pub-

and dramatically have on the Web? lishing

70

increase the content

we

Part

One

Lenedra Carroll says to try to come up with twelve

What

Ifs. I

tween three and,

number

exact

come up with

usually

very most, eight. The

at the

certainly doesn't matter. Just

brainstorm for a while and Ifs

as

you

Watch ities,

it

list

as

many What

can.

open up

all

kinds of creative possibil-

and within some of those

bilities

be-

you will see

that difficult

—

steps

creative possi-

you can take that aren't

in fact, they're simple

vious. Take those steps,

and ob-

and you're on your way.

For each major goal you have, explore as possibilities as

you

can.

Then

many

write a simple

one- or two-page plan to reach that goal.

For every major goal, write a one- or two-page plan.

What

steps

goal?

Maybe

do you need at first

to take to reach

you can

things you need to do. As

Introduction,

I

see only a

mentioned

when I first did a plan to

successful business,

all I

your few

in the

create a

could think of was to 71

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

read a used Business loi textbook and talk to

people

who knew more about them naiVe

did and ask that, the

business than

questions.

Once

I

did

I

next step became obvious: Write a

simple plan, on one page of paper, of the steps I

needed

cessful

and build

to take next to start

a suc-

company.

Like every other exercise in this simple system, this doesn't take

long and doesn't require a

of words. The simpler, the better, in

your plan short, so you can keep

mind and your subconscious can accept

it

clearly in

grasp

More

if

it

and

your plans seem incomplete

will

be revealed

as

in stone, because

is

etched

you can and probably

keep changing your plans over time.

Make a plan, then take the next obvious steps in front ofyou.

at

time goes on.

Don't think that what you're writing

72

Keep

it.

Don't worry first.

fact.

lot

will

Part One

Your plan it,

you

is

are asking

you can be do,

your blueprint.

When you

write

your subconscious mind

successful doing

and when you ask

how

what you love

you

that question

to

start

getting answers. Your powerful subconscious

mind

will

show you,

step

by

step,

what you

need to do to bring your ideas and dreams into reality.

And

they are the perfect answers for

you, because they If

someone

come from within you.

asks you,

"What

is

your plan?" you

should be able to give a clear answer in just a

minute or two. When you can do vince your subconscious to

move toward

that,

you con-

mind that you intend

that goal,

and your powerful

subconscious gently and quietly guides you,

showing you the steps you need

to take next to

reach your destination.

We dream of our castle in the air, then we make a blueprint of it, a plan to build

sheets of paper.

the next steps

ward the

it,

on just a few

Within that plan, we always see

we need

realization of

to take to

move

us to-

our dreams.

73

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Believe

My wife

me

gave

a picture

secret of manifestation

frame that had the

stamped on

it

in those

four powerful words: Dream, Imagine, Believe, Create.

When

I

read those words, an inner voice

first

said,

Thafs the entire process,

then

I

thought, Ifs really

in four words.

summed

up

But

in three

words. There's nothing to believe in this process

— von do I

it

and you

never had to

make

see that

it

a leap of faith or

believe in this process, just as

take a

vow

I

httle steps

motion.

I

my

ideal scene;

them and found

some

pretty remarkable changes in all

it all

my goals and

tried

is,

I

never had to believe in the

plans, or imagining

truth

to

never had to

and watched

power of affirmations, or writing

The

come

to believe in the laws of physics.

took these few set into

works.

I

simply

that they helped

the practices

make

my life.

and techniques

that we've heard about over the years work: affirmations, prayers, declarations, positive thinking, creative visuaUzation, self-actuahzation.

74

Part One

self-realization,

whatever you want to

call

They all work because every thought we have

it.

is

a powerful creative force.

The only problem

is

that our doubts

and

can be powerful creative forces in our well, if we let

We

like this:

affirm, /

am now

to do, in

in a healthy

Universe

lives as

them. I'm sure the process works

doing what I love

manner,

fears

— or our

creating success,

an easy and relaxed

and positive way. And the

whatever you want to

subconscious mind, or call it

—

goes about showing us just

says Yes!

how

And it

to manifest

our dreams, revealing to us exactly the steps we

need to

take.

But then, hard

if

our next thought

to succeed.

what they love Yes, ifs

true

thoughts.

to

—

is,

Oh, hut

ifs so

So few people are really doing do..

ifs very

then the Universe

says.

hard for you, with those

Look at how hard

it is.

In fact, ifs get-

ting worse all the time.

we have, for good or ill, is creative. As soon as we focus as much or more on our dreams as we focus on our doubts and

Every thought

75

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

— through process always remain mysterious — begin be fears,

our dreams

that will

a

to

ized,

one step

real-

at a time.

We can sum it up this way: Even though there

is

nothing

to believe

in this processy

we have of the

to

become av^are

beliefs

we have,

and see how they operate Once we

our

lives.

identify those beliefs,

we can change them powerful

in

into

more supportive,

beliefs that help us realize

our dreams.

We don t have to make a leap of faith. We don't have to believe in

this process, just as

have to believe in physics to see

our

lives.

But

it is

liefs

we

essential to

moment

of our

becoming aware of these

76

don't

operating in

become aware of

carry with us, and see

affect every

it

we

the be-

how much

they

Even

just

lives.

beliefs

is

a great step

Part One

toward ing

we wish, or changmuch more powerful, positive them

letting

them

into

go, if

beliefs.

I

used to believe

I

was

out of control.

tally

It

a fool with

money,

was certainly true

to-

in re-

my twenties, whatever money made immediately vanished. In my mid-thirties, the ality:

In

I

company

I

had founded was teetering on the

edge of bankruptcy, and

I

had $65,000 of credit

card debt and was not making enough to pay

even the

minimum monthly payments on

stack of cards I

I

had.

went through a process then that changed

life. It is

the

my

called the Core Belief Process, Like the

other things that worked for me, the process

was simple;

all it

involved was answering a few

questions honestly. When

I

did,

I

became more

consciously aware of my limiting beliefs about

money and The

me

success.

final steps

of the Core Belief Process led

to the affirmation that completely

coun-

tered those limiting beliefs: / am sensible

and in

control of my finances. I

am now

creating total

77

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

financial success, in an easy in a healthy

After

—

and relaxed manner,

and positive way.

affirmed that a few thousand times or so

I

especially

me

assaulting

when my doubts and

—

I

saw a great

fears

shift in

were

my life, a

quantum leap. Money was no longer something mysterious beyond my control, and managing money became simple and obvious. I started to see trol

how easy it was to be sensible and in con-

my

of

way to That

finances,

and

found

I

I

my

was on

creating financial success.

the

is

power of the

right affirmation, re-

peated enough times that your subconscious

mind

accepts

it

as true.

A

simple affirmation

can change your beliefs and change your

Even ing

if

you don't

little

believe

it,

just try the follow-

process and see what happens.

The Core

Belief Process

This activity can help you deal with any cult situation or

quires as

78

you

is

life.

problem

in

your

life.

All

diffiit

re-

answering these questions as honestly

can, either in your

head or on paper:

Part One

1.

What

is

tion, for a

the problem? Just describe the situa-

minute or two.

What emotions are you feeling? Just name them, in a word or two. Is there fear, frustra2.

tion, anger, guilt, sadness?

act of naming the

you

emotions

to let at least

times,

you have

Sometimes will

be enough for

some of them

to go

through

just the

go.

the steps of

all

the process before your emotions

At other

shift.

3.

What physical sensations are you feeling? Take

a

minute

scribe 4.

to tune in to

what you

What

feel

your body. Briefly de-

happening

physically.

are you thinking about? Take a few

minutes and say out loud or write

down what

has been going through your mind. repetitive

ing lately? 5.

What is

there a

stream of thoughts you ve been hav-

What

are those recurrent thoughts?

the worst thing that could

this situation?

that

Is

What

is

you can imagine?

happen

in

the worst-case scenario If that

happened, what

would be the very worst thing that could happen to you? It is good to shed some light on your deepest

fears,

because you

come to

realize

79

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

that the chances of those deep fears actually

being realized are very slim indeed.

What is the best thing that could happen? What would you like to have happen ideally? What is your ideal scene for this area of your 6.

Hfe? 7.

What fear

or limiting belief

from creating what you want?

is

Now we're

ting to the core of the problem:

limiting belief can

ply as you can

— the

fool with money. Ifs so

hard

unhealthy. 8.

to

you

keeping you

What

identif)^? State

it

get-

fear or as sim-

Vm

simpler, the better.

a

dont have what it takes

succeed

Ifs all so stressful

and

...

What affirmation can you come up

with that

counteracts that negative or limiting belief? Put it

with

good

it

until

to

can. Play

you find an affirmation

that feels

you and speaks

unique way. finances cess life

80

you

in directly opposite words, if

I

/

am am

am now / am living I

sensible

to

you

and

in

own of my

your

in control

creating total financial succreating the

life

abundance

in

my

of my dreams, in an

Part

easy tive

9.

and relaxed manner,

in a healthy

One

and posi-

way,

Say or write your affirmation repeatedly over

and months. Write it down and put it in places where you see it often. Reor repeat them, if you have several peat it in the morning and throughout the day whenever you remember, especially when doubts and fears arise, as they almost surely will. When you repeat it enough, it will become more powerful than your doubts and fears. the nextdaySy weeks,

—

—

When

went through

I

startling

this

simple process,

changes started to happen almost im-

mediately.

didn't have to believe the process

I

worked because I saw it working in my life, in an easy and relaxed manner, in a healthy and positive way.

told simply

This secret

is

Bible, in the

book of Job:

and

And you shall decree a and

it

clearly in the

thing,

will be given unto you.

And light will shine upon your ways,

— Joh 22:28 81

We have heard Nov;

over.

be

realize

maniU'.

our

o: these thina- '^ver

c

:::e lives

of a

^ai

^.

beliefs,

we

see that

moment to

realize

have within us the abilitv to

come

it is

commg

in this

hnd dream a \\ e

true,

and

it.

to the hnal step in the secret. This

step takes the castles

and

need

\N"e

take the steps necessarv to realize \\ e"ve

have to affea

our greatest dreams.

dream, afhrm that

loft^'

rtion of hu-

„

as well. \\ e see.

we have evenlhing

^N'e

:o

we can change our

in fact, that

that

.

^ve see the po^ver \ve

— and change the world

lives

and

.:::.:c::: :ra:'^^ :a'; ^ca:::::i::g

Once

own

:::a::^-

we have

them, on

created

m the air

a solid

foundation,

are the hnal suggestions to

uncover the

fullv builds

m the real world. Create

Here

secret of manifestation

tool for gro^^th

a

powerful

kno^s":

Remem-

it

and expansion.

Keen rememberine ber to be^.::

and make

^N"hat

vou

.

and keep

it

Part One

in

mind

Never forget your dream, and

always.

how

keep imagining

that

dream can possibly

be realized. Let your imagination

soar.

Keep

re-

viewing the plan you wrote for each goal, and rewriting

if

necessary.

Here's a key to success to incorporate into your

written plan

—

it's

you think about ple

seem

to

it,

completely obvious

when

but something so few peo-

know:

Develop a multipronged strategy for each goal,

one that doesn't take no for an answer.

First, you'll try this. If that

try that.

There are endless

endless creative ways

doesn't work, you'll possibilities for you,

you can

realize those

dreams of yours. Try something. Don't be to

fail,

because

you can always ing,

if

afraid

that attempt doesn't work,

try

and eventually

something you'll find

else.

Keep

try-

something that

works.

83

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Focus on your plan,

and he persistent. That

is

the secret to success.

Here's another simple, obvious thing do:

Look

dar,

at

your plan, take your weekly calen-

and make sure you have something each

week

your calendar that moves your plan

in

forward.

can be the simplest thing, and

It

do

doesn't have to take long to

a vacation) to

When you

move

it

But do some-

it.

thing nearly every week (except

when you're on

ahead.

take those

you'll notice a shift in

fore

you can

first

few, tentative steps,

your thinking. What be-

was an intangible dream, an ephemeral

fantasy,

is

now becoming

then, over time,

it

a clear goal

becomes an

— and

intention. You've

proven your intention by taking the steps you have taken. Your subconscious accepts your intention,

and

you need It is

a

to

do next

show you

to create

it

mysterious process, but

simple. There

84

starts to

is

no higher math

exactly

in

your

it is

what

life.

also very

involved.

Your

Part One

level

of education doesn't matter. Your past ex-

perience doesn't matter.

When you have a clear

plan, in writing, your subconscious

show you,

step

mind

by step, what you need

bring your ideas and dreams into

to

will

do

to

reality.

You have everything you need to create the greatest success in life that you can imagine: a miraculous body, a phenomenal brain, and a vast and powerful subconscious mind. Now it is

just a matter of focusing

right direction, setting

recting your course

worth repeating

your mind

in the

your course, and cor-

when

in bold,

necessary. That's

and remembering:

You have everything you need: a miraculous body, a phenomenal hrain,

and a

vast

and powerful subconscious mind.

Now it's just a matter offocusing your mind in the right direction.

That

sets

our course. Then what happens?

get frustrated or anxious or

we

forget our course.

over and over.

We

We

overwhelmed, and forget our dream,

We fall back into old habits, and 85

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

forget

where we want

to go.

So we have to keep

correcting our course, over and over, just Uke a

does on an airplane.

pilot

We

have to remember our dream, again and

again,

and remember our plans

back on course.

and

again,

we

—

that gets us

we keep doing that, again bound to reach our destina-

If

are

tion,

sooner or

Why

has this secret proven so elusive for so

later.

many people? All it requires is daring to dream, and daring to plan

a path to realize that dream,

and then taking the next obvious

steps in front

of us.

How many people dare to imagine their greatAnd of those who do, how many actually sit down and write a plan to reach that dream? Very few. And yet the process is so simest

dreams?

ple

— and

the

life

This is

is

it

leads us, step

by

step, to creating

of our dreams. the secret of manifestation.

mysterious, because

it

The process

involves the miracle

of creation, but setting the process in motion in

86

our

lives is a

simple matter indeed.

Part One

Go for it!

Stretch out

— body and mind — and

You will never regret it, for in the process you grow so much and so quickly that, in many ways, you become reach for your highest dreams.

a completely different person.

You become self-actualized, as Abraham Maslow

You are no longer a student; you have become a master, in your own absolutely unique and original way. put

it.

You reach your full potential as a human being and are willing and able to contribute, in your own way, to the evolution of humanity and the blossoming of our world.

87

TART TWO

Discovering the greatest secret of all in

your own wordsy

and living it in your own way

new law I give unto you: Love one anothevy as I have loved you.

— JOHN

13:34

The end of all wisdom is

love,

love, love,

'RAMANA MAHARSHI

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL There are

more things in heaven and earth more important than the law of

far

that are far

manifestation. Countless people have discov-

ered the secret of manifestation and miserable

lives, filled

still

have

with pain and frustration.

Look at the lives of some of the wealthiest people in the world, ery,

because so

and you

many

see lives full of mis-

of them haven't learned

the simple secret of a

life

well lived, a

happiness and inner peace, a sacred and miraculous

life

life

of

of purpose, a

life.

human history and have known that

Millions of people throughout

have known

this secret

—

more important than any other. And every one of them has tried to pass it on to others. The words have it is

the greatest secret of

all,

far

91

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

been written and spoken loud and

clear in mil-

lions of different ways, including in every great spiritual tradition, East anity,

and West

—

in Christi-

Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and indige-

nous traditions around the world. And

it

is

number of teachers and leaders in the world today. There is nothing new

being told by a great

in

it; it is

that

the perennial philosophy.

most people

aren't

We've

heard

all

It is

simply

prepared to hear

it

it.

many timesy

but weforgety over and over,

we find it in our own words and finally remember to live it in our own way

until

I

knew it as a child, but then

it

as a teenager,

and again

over and over, but

I

forgot

forgot

it. I

learned

young adult, over and over. It

as a

it,

wasn't until well into maturity that

I

learned

way I remembered, and continue remember every moment.

the secret in a to

The to

92

lasting awareness

me

through

of the secret

finally

my morning prayer.

came

For you,

it

Two

Part

may be different. You may have different ways of discovering

The

secret

it

and

different

words

to express

it.

may dawn on you when you simply

Hsten to your intuition, that calm and clear voice within you.

when you

finally

It

may be

revealed to

you

understand in a new way a

phrase you've read somewhere or heard some-

one say many times. Christ and

Muhammad

learned

it

through

Buddha learned it through meditaSome have learned it in nature, some in

prayer; tion.

churches, temples, mosques, and synagogues;

some have found it through having a child, or taking on some other great task; some have learned

it

in

books and

films, conferences

and

talks.

Einstein discovered

and mathematics

it

purely through science

— and

a

tremendous amount

of imagination. Mother Teresa discovered

through a simple vow. Martin Luther King, discovered

it

Jr.,

through the words of Christ.

Gandhi discovered Gita, the

it

it

through the Bhagavad

"Song of the Divine."

93

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Suzuki Roshi and Thich Nhat

many

others learned

it

it

through her study

of anthropology. Eckhart Tolle found

depths of his

own

Maharshi found tion,

it

so

through quiet medita-

Riane Eisler learned

tion.

Hanh and

suicidal despair.

it

in the

Ramana

by asking himself the ques-

"Who am I?"

People in twelve-step programs have learned

by connecting with a higher power,

someone

in a twelve-step

I

program

it

once heard say, "If

you

don't believe in a higher power, go and try to

make a blade of grass." Or a cricket. Or a galaxy. It

doesn't matter

what terms you use

scribe the greatest secret of all. a vast

It

can be told in

number of ways. They all lead to the same

place, however:

showing us how to look within

for the answers, for the guidance

tion

to de-

we

need.

imagination;

We

and

inspira-

find the secret through our

we understand

it

through our

own words and experience rather than anyone else's.

Every teacher of the secret can only point

the way, because the answer

94

is

within us.

Part

Each of us discovers

own language. I

in

our

use the words

and even Universe to describe the

it

at times.

power and

ated this amazing universe.

I

own

Two

way, in our

God and

Creator

use those words

force that has cre-

We can describe

it

with physics, with chemistry and mathematics,

without using spiritual language. The words

and symbols don't matter just point the way.

Change

in the least; they

my words and find

your own.

The

secret

is

always revealed to

morning,

prayer. Nearly every

look around, and gle,

let all

deep breath. Then

yard,

and say

a

me in

little

I

a simple

step outside,

thought go with a I

sin-

wander around the

prayer.

It

usually starts

"Thank you. Creator, for this beautiful and goes on to list a few things I am day.

with,

.

grateful for.

"Thank you

Thank you

for that

hummingbird zipping by.

for those blades of grass, so green

and vibrant, and that new flower

come aware

that

"

And I be-

my gratitude list could go on

95

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

forever.

I

could spend the

ing things to be grateful

rest

for,

of

my life nam-

and I would hardly

have begun.

move on, and let the thoughts of gratitude go. I have some more silent time, so that the prayer arises from silence. Then I say the simSo

ple I

I

words that lead

to the greatest secret of

all:

quietly whisper, Guide me, Creator. Guide me.

And

I

listen for

any quiet words that come to

mind. They are almost always exactly the same,

and I have come

to see, over the years,

greatest secret of

all is

how the

expressed in these sim-

ple words:

LovCy servCy

and remember.

Remember what? I

ask.

Remember to

love

I

can remember where

before. Love, Serve

of a book by

96

and serve, I've

always,

heard those words

and Remember was the

Ram Dass years ago.

title

Part Two

Remember that love overcomes fear. Love opens the gates of heaven.

The Kingdom of Heaven Love overcomes fear Course

in Miracles.

we have love

and

love. It

is

—

I

We

within.

recognize this from

A

And I remember again that

the choice, every fear.

is

moment,

betv^een

can choose, consciously, to

the far better choice, always.

Remember who you

are:

A child of Gody an

essential part of a miraculous creation.

remember how much I love my children, how much I want them to be happy, fulfilled, and free. And I realize that God has the same love for us that we have for our children. We are the I

result of a great act of love, conceived in love,

sustained by love, and

if

we

so choose, filled

with love, every moment. I

remember

science

s

phenomenal

discoveries:

We are all part of a vast, single quantum field; we are in reality one with all that is. We are able. 97

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

in

ways that will ever remain mysterious, to

fect this field

and change our

af-

realities, literally

create another world.

We

are an essential part of a miraculous cre-

connected to that creation.

ation, eternally

are a part of God, abilities

We

and have powerfully creative

we are connected to the source

because

of all creation.

Remember: Love finds the perfect partnership in all

Riane Eisler gave us

we do,

this part

of the puzzle in

her brilliant books The Chalice and the Blade

and The Power of Partnership. She gives us what she calls a lens through which to view the world.

and

Do we

respect, or

see partnership, based

do we

see

on

love

some kind of domi-

nation or exploitation, based on fear and on a

need to control? Partnership

is

the solution to our personal

and even global problems. For our personal

98

Part Two

problems

we can

— our

anxieties, doubts,

to call

much

fears

—

find that partnership with ourselves,

with our intuition, our

want

and

as

we

it,

spirit,

that supports us

love our

own

For our global problems

and war

or whatever you

— the

and

loves us as

children.

— hunger, poverty,

solutions are only to be found

new and better ways of working in partnership in every relationship we have: with our in

intimate partners and families; with our work,

our community, our nation, and our world;

and with nature and partnership

— we can

Spirit as well.

Through

— and only through partnership

create a world that

works

for

all

of us.

The great work ahead of us, Riane Eisler reminds us,

is

replacing the well-entrenched

model of

domination, based on fear and a need to control,

with a

new way of living,

partnership, based

people, I

am

and

filled

for

all

on

love

a

new model of

and respect

for

all

of creation.

with gratitude for Riane

work, and the great discovery

it is

Eisler's

based on:

99

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Living and working in partnership the key to solving our global problems,

is

Ultimatelyy partnership

is

far more powerful and effective

than domination and exploitation. Living and working in partnership

means

lov-

ing and serving ourselves and others, and that is

the key not only to a

global peace

This

is

life

and prosperity

the course, after

all,

well lived but to as well.

that Jesus took,

and

Buddha, and Gandhi, and Martin Luther King. Love and serve your neighbors. Love and serve even your enemies.

Why does that still seem to

be such a radical idea? Perhaps someday pray will

it is

within

my

have a president

words of Christ.

All

lifetime

who

—

this

—

I

country

actually follows the

our presidents have called

themselves Christians, but not one of them has truly followed the

words of Christ.

How can you possibly invade another country and

100

still call

yourself a Christian? Christ

would

Part Two

never build an army, attack and

any reason. He was very clear on put away your sword. Ifyou

live

others, for

kill

this: ''Peter,

by the sword, by

Our

leaders have forgotten

the teachings of Christ,

and they keep sending

you

the sword

die''

their children into war. If

we had

a president

Christ, he or she

who

actually followed

would say to the world, "How

can we love and serve each other? That's the only way

We

we can

problems we have.

solve the

have been good partners, in

many

ways,

many people. But we have also been dominators and exploiters in many ways, with far too many people. How do we move beyond

with

work for

that, into partnerships that

This

is

which

the key to global peace

is

what we all

The key

and

to replace acts

of us?"

prosperity,

really want, in the

to global peace

all

long run:

and prosperity is

of domination

and exploitation with acts ofpartnership.

101

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Partnership, after

all, is

ahvavs

more powerful

than domination in the long run. Our acts of exploitation

and other attempts

to control other

people result onlv in endless conflicts and ob-

and problems, because thev inevitablv

stacles

lead to frustration, anger, hostilitA;

ment. The result

and

is

resent-

an endless chain of violence

suffering.

\\ brking in

ative

wavs

partnership leads to countless cre-

to interact

with each other;

inevitablv to harmonv,

perm; and, Love all.

and

is

ves

it

leads

mutual support, pros-

— ahvays —

love

ami

respect.

the creative force in the world, after

\Vhen

\ve ^vork in partnership, things

go

we work

in

smoothlv, beautifullv. The more

we come to a world that where we all have the es-

partnership, the closer

works

for

all

sentials of life

of us,

— including — and

life,

pursuit of happifiess

reaching our dreams. That works, and we can create nership,

and

the

are supported in is

a

world that

onlv through part-

and not through any form of domi-

nation or exploitation.

102

it

liberty,

Part Two

As

R.

Buckminster Fuller pointed out, we

now

have the capability to feed and house and support everyone on the planet.

We

have the

technologies available for every one of us in the

move up to what the great psychologist Abraham Maslow called self- actualization. world to

Maslow

realized that

forming

a great

humanity can be seen

pyramid. Over the years

adapted his ideas somewhat

—

here's

I

as

have

my ver-

Maslow s pyramid: The people on the bottom need food, shelter, and medical care. sion of

Those needs dominate and

it is

very difficult to

their consciousness,

move up

the pyramid

The people a little higher need security. Without it, it is very challenging to move up and create more satisfying lives. Once those basic needs are met, we move up the pyramid into the realms of without having those needs

fulfilled.

education.

We

certainly have the capability to have good,

free public

education for

all.

We certainly have

we realize that investing in education is far more important than burning through money in warfare and other types

the money, as soon as

103

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

of domination and exploitation. The two best

do

things a country can

for

national security

its

work in partnership with other countries and to have great education and vocational are to

support for

We

its

own

people.

have the technology.

we need to

We

have everything

create an excellent educational sys-

tem, from cradle to grave, for education

is

an

endless process, finally leading us to the top of

the pyramid, to

This

is

self- actualization.

where we're

fulfilling

finally able to focus

on

our dreams, passion, and purpose.

Whether our dreams

are artistic, entrepre-

neurial, humanitarian, or spiritual,

reached this level

when we've

— when we've had enough

education to see the expansive possibilities that are before us

— we

and support we need

find the to

fulfill

encouragement

our potential. We

have reached the top of the pyramid, and are able to contribute to the world, each in our

own unique and

creative ways.

We can create a world that works, through partnership with

104

ally

Part

Two

by moving beyond all forms of domination and exploitation into creative partnerships with everyone, locally

and globally.

My mind is filled with all kinds of creative ideas in my morning prayers, including how to have a

world of peace and prosperity.

Sometimes

I

I've reflected

ask,

What

on this

is

my purpose

for years,

in it all?

and asked many

other people to reflect on the question as well, for

another way to discover the greatest

it is

cret of

se-

all.

What is your purpose in Ufe? Many people have trouble with that word, purpose;

it

seems so

se-

You can substitute the word mission if you wish. Or vocation, which comes from the Latin word for calling. What is your rious, so heavy.

calling? This

is

a great question to ask.

When I ask that question, I'm given a great key to a

life

well lived:

We have a great purpose in

life

a great mission, vocation, and

—

calling.

105

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

We are here to

evohe as much

to

and

reach our

full poteritial.

as possible,

to contribute to the

betterment

of humanity.

We are here to mo\'e up^vard in the p\Tamid of consciousness that Maslo^v described, until ^ve

become to help

self-actuaUzed, self-reaHzed,

mam"

others

potential and help place for

make

is

on the wav we

vital

many have others in being,

pand

to

grow

as

world a better

much

as ^^e can, for

are discovering ne^v possibilities

wav

is

to contribute in

to the well-being of

discovered, ^vhen

we

some wav, our own

love

all.

As so

and serve

sense of

\vell-

and our resources, and our iov of life

ex-

vastly.

As Charles Caleb Colton wrote dred years ago:

106

to realize their

this

humanitv. Our purpose

some

able

all.

Our purpose

for

move up

and

nearl)'

two hun-

Part Two

If universal charity prevailedy

earth would he a heaven^

Our purpose

is

nothing

global evolution. This

and so sometimes 1

less

is all

and hell a fable. than personal and very serious

stuff,

Spirit lightens things up,

and

hear Bobby McFerrin singing Meher Baba s

famous quote: Don't worry, be happy

What wonderful guidance! How get? Or I hear it put in this way:

simple can

it

Remember the joy of Being. This always reminds

me

of the words of Eck-

hart Tolle, in The Power of Now, a

book

that

me every day and will continue to be my guide for the rest of my life: ''The happiness that guides

is

derived from

very deep.

It is

some secondary source

is

never

only a pale reflection of the joy of

Being, the vibrant peace

you find within

as

you

enter a state of nonresistance''

107

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

I

often think that

all I

need to do

is

to truly,

deeply understand and remember these two powerful sentences from The Power of Now and I

know how

will

to die

—

to ftiUy live

in peace

Sometimes

in

and with

my mind

Ramana Maharshi, one in the history

ever

I

I

— and even how

grace.

hear the words of

of the greatest teachers

When-

of India and the world.

hear those words,

I

have the feeling that

they are the most beautiful words ever said, in

any language:

The end of all wisdom is love, love, love.

That hear

is it

the greatest secret of

all.

Sometimes

my mind

whispered quietly in

in these

words:

Loving and serving yourself and others to happinesSy fulfillment,

This

108

is

is

I

the key

and inner peace.

the greatest secret of all

Part Two

This

is

the key that overcomes our fears

leads us to a Hfe of grace

lous

life.

It is

a miracle, isn't

and

ease, a

A collection

it?

and

miracu-

of trillions

of atoms and molecules working in amazing partnership with each other wrote these words in a

now

time

at this

moment

trillions

of atoms

long past, and

your amazing collection of

and molecules

is

sitting

with these ink marks

on paper and absorbing them

into your mind,

new synapses in your brain that literally change the way you think, act, and expericreating

ence

All life

life.

ability to

is

understand.

But we can learn to understand to

work with them to

selves

great

and a and

own

its

secrets,

and

create better lives for our-

far better

world for

all

creatures,

small.

You know the your

beyond our

a miracle, far

secret

words.

now. Say

to yourself, in

And remember

will guide you, every

whatever that

it

moment,

may mean

it,

always.

It

to fulfillment,

for you.

109

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

It

will

guide you to the top of the pyramid of

humanity, to a place of peace and power. It

will

show you how

to create the

dreams and contribute

way to making The

secret

all life,

is

in

your

love.

and love

and

That life

is

life

Love

is all

is

It is

no

own wonderful

the creative force of

that matters. Everything

and passes away;

alone are eternal.

the greatest secret of

well lived

where we

of your

the world a far better place.

else fades into insignificance

love

life

—

a precious

realize the miracle

love, always

and

forever.

all,

the secret to a

life,

a sacred

of what

is.

life,

SUMMARY The greatest secret of all

There are no

and powerful

secrets, just truths

laws of creation that remain hidden from our

awareness until

we

are ready to hear them.

The law of manifestation the laws of physics

—

is

just as concrete as

in fact, the

law of mani-

festation incorporates the laws of physics

and

chemistry:

We have the power within us to clearly

imagine

what we wish to achieve. The more often we focus our powerful thoughts

on our dreams and goalsy the closer

The law

we come

is

to realizing those

not complicated; in

simple. This

is

fact

dreams.

it is

very

one reason why so few people 113

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

understand

appears simple and obvious,

it: It

or strangely enigmatic and puzzling.

heard I

it

thousand times before.

a

am telling you the secret in the best way I can.

To put it

And we've

in

it

your

to

work

in

your

life,

you need

to put

own words. How do you understand

and describe the simple and profound law of manifestation? Here's one

way

I

describe

it:

We are powerful creative beings. When we focus our conscious mind on a goal, our

limitless subconscious

gets to

mind

work and shows us the way,

step by step, to attain our goal

Find your

own words

to describe the secret of

manifestation, and watch

Of course there

it

work in your

are far greater secrets than the

law of manifestation: the secrets of a lived, the secrets

114

life.

life

well

of happiness and inner peace.

Summary

of ease and fulfillment, a

the secrets of a

life

miraculous

a sacred

Here

life,

life.

the greatest secret of

is

— take

in,

it

all,

and then express

it

in

my words

in

your

own

words.

We have a great purpose in life

—

a great mission^ vocatiotiy and calling.

We are here to grow, to reach

to evolve,

our full potential

and contribute

to the

betterment

of the world. This

is

what has remained

humanity: are.

Our

a secret for

most of

We are far greater than we think we

potential

is

vast.

barely begun to realize are capable of.

Most of us have just

who we are and what we

We have had just brief glimpses

of the far more expansive possibilities that are within our reach.

Our

task, then,

is

to discover

tribution to the world the world to see.

and

our unique con-

let it

shine for

And when we do

it,

we

all

help

115

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

Others do

it

grows, until

as well, it

change in our

and the

becomes

lives

and

light

grows and

a powerful force for

in the world.

There are three very simple things we can do to realize the greatest secret of

Love, serve,

in

all

our

lives:

and remember.

Remember what?

Remember to

love

and serve,

always.

Remember: Love overcomes fear. Love rises above fear, and opens us up to a higher awareness.

Love opens the gates of heaven.

We have heard it so many times, but we forget it,

over and over:

The Kingdom of Heaven

Remember who you AchildofGody

116

is

within.

are:

Summary

an

essential part of a miraculous creation.

Remember that love finds the perfect partnership in all

To love

and

is

to respect

and cherish

to rise above fear

to rise above

all

we do. all

of creation,

and the need

to control,

forms of domination and ex-

ploitation into endlessly creative partnerships

with

all.

We

choose the cup of

the sword of fear Eisler,

we choose

—

the chalice, not the blade.

The end of all wisdom is

shining words of

is

love, love, love.

not just some great moral advice, some-

thing to do because is

instead of

words of Riane

in the

Remember the brilliantly Ramana Maharshi:

This

life

we want

to

be good;

this

the very practical, down-to-earth key that

opens the doors to a new

and shows us the

life

great view

and

a

new world,

from the top of the

pyramid of humanity.

117

THE GREATEST SECRET OF ALL

In everything you do, love

This

is

and serve yourself and others.

the secret that guides

to create the hfe of that

works

for

all.

you every moment

your dreams and a world

This

is

the end of every path

of study, every worthwhile philosophy.

This

is

the greatest secret of all:

Loving and serving yourself and others is

the key to fulfillment,

happiness,

and inner peace.

You know the secret now. Put it in your own words, and remember it, act on it, and live it. Together, working in partnership,

cover

how

to live the life of

we can

dis-

our dreams, and

along the way help create a world of peace and prosperity for us

all.

and remembering:

n8

This

is

worth repeating

Summary

Together,

working

we can the

in partnershipy

discover

life

how to

live

of our dreams,

and along the way help

create

world of peace and prosperity for

all.

119

ABOUT THE AUTHOR On

the day he turned thirty,

cofounded

New World

Marc Allen

Library with Shakti

Gawain. He has written numerous books, cluding Visionary Business^

A

Visionary

in-

Life,

The Millionaire Course^ and The Type-Z Guide to Success,

He has also

recorded several albums

of music, including Awakening, Breathe, and Solo Flight,

He

is

a popular speaker

and seminar leader

based in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more

monthly teleseminars, see www.MarcAllen.com. For more about his music (including free samples), see www.WatercourseMedia.com. For more about New World Library, see www.NewWorldLibrary.com. about Marc, including his

free

121

^^jj^^

NEW WORLD

^^^^^

books and other media that inspire and chal-

^"^^

LIBRARY

is

dedicated to publishing

lenge us to improve the quahty of our Hves

and the world.

We

are a socially

pany, and in

we

and environmentally aware com-

strive to

our publications.

embody

We

recognize that

ethical responsibility to

members, and our

We

the ideals presented

we have an

our customers, our

staff

planet.

serve our customers by creating the finest

publications possible spirituality, wellness,

importance.

on personal growth,

creativity,

and other areas of emerging

We serve New World Library employees

with generous benefits, significant profit sharing, and constant encouragement to pursue their most expansive dreams.

As

a

member

of the Green Press

print an increasing

Initiative,

we

number of books with soy-based

ink on loo percent postconsumer-waste recycled paper.

We power

our

offices

with solar energy and

contribute to nonprofit organizations working to

make

the world a better place for us

all.

New \\ brld

Library's

books, audios, and videos are a\'ailable in

bookstores ever)^vhere.

For our catalog, please contact:

New \\ brld 14

Library

Pamaron Way

Xovato, California 94949

Phone: 415-884-2100 or 800-972-6657 Catalog requests: Ext. 50 Orders: Ext. 52 Fax: 415-884-2199

Email: escortd^^new-^vorldlibrary.com

subscribe to our electronic newsletter, visit \\'^\'\v.\e\v\\b rldLibrary.com

I

i

I

I

You have everything you need: a miraculous body, a phenomenal brain, and a vast and powerful subconscious mind.

Now ifs just a your mind

matter of focusing

in the right direction.

The Greatest Secret of All is a wonderful contribution universal to humanity. It sounds a new note that has resonance, and gives us the key to a life well lived."

"

— GAY HENDRICKS, bestseUing author of Five Wishes and Conscious Loving

"Few teachers that

is

my attention like Marc Allen. He has this way about him

get

utterly relaxing

and brings them

and believable. He takes

lofty success principles

to earth in simple yet compelling ways.

principles he suggests in this book,

you, too. Success books

I

have tried the

and they really work. They will work fo;

don t get any easier than

— ALAN COHEN, author

this

— or more

effective."

of Relax into Wealth

but there are things we cannot or will not see help you and accept because of our life experience. This book can hidden from your to see what is no secret but what has remained

"There are no

secrets,

your awareness, and the resuh will be to profoundly change

— DR. BERNIE Love, Medicine

www.newworldlibrary.cl

Can 100% postcon

EG EL, bestseUing author of

and Miracles and 3^5

New World Library

Printed in

S. SI

life."

Prescriptions for the Soul

Internet Arcnive Tne G'-eatest Secret of IS3\l: 1577316193

UsedVe ryGood

2012-03-29 A'l:

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