Reimagining Success

 Everyone longs for a successful and fulfilling life. Yet many of us experience limited success – we may succeed in certain areas of our life, only to struggle in other significant ways: We may do well at work yet struggle in our home life. We may enjoy certain comforts yet suffer from depression, anxiety, or addictions. How can we experience success and well-being across our life? We can learn to clear the blocks and fears that are holding us in unhealthy patterns. Bringing the power of mindfulness and psychology together, we can locate the roots of our limiting patterns to heal them, clearing the way for us to reconnect with our own Essence, a wellspring of inner composure and wisdom that serves as our inner compass, guiding us to choices and actions that create a happy, fulfilling life. When we are in connection with our Essence, we reclaim the aliveness, confidence and freedom we experienced as young children, inspired to live as we are meant to live.

In Chapter Two, during the teacher workshop, a distinction is made between “success” and “true success.” Following the upheaval that is ignited by the concept of “true success,” the teachers collectively experience a paradigm shift, resulting in a new understanding of what makes for successful, meaningful living. Discovering the Success Traits opens the possibility of success not only in the classroom, but throughout life. Do you believe that the Success Traits are skills to be cultivated, or are they traits that are inherently embodied in us? Are the Success Traits alive and flourishing in you? If not, what keeps you from orienting to this way of being?

In Chapter Three, the concept of Essence is introduced, elaborating on the many ways that Essence manifests in our world. Where do you experience the presence of Essence? If you’re reading this book in a group, what happens if you “try on” each person’s experience of Essence? Does it shift something in your group?

With the introduction of the Seven Domains, we have an opportunity to heal any area of our life that is keeping us from living in truly successful ways. How important do you think is the practice of mindfulness in engaging and releasing our limiting fears and beliefs?

In Chapter Five, the importance of the mind/body connection is made to advance our own healing and aliveness. What is the kindest thing that you could do for your body? If you could heal any part of your body or physical expression, what might that be? How might your life change if this physical healing occurred?

In Chapter Six, there is a discussion about Carol Dweck’s model of “growth” and “fixed” mindsets. Where in your life do you carry a growth mindset? In what areas of your life do you carry fixed mindsets? What might be possible if you bring a growth mindset to your difficult arenas?

In Chapter Seven, the concept of the “gatekeeper” is introduced. Can you identify your gatekeepers? If so, what form do they take –– angry and intimidating, fleeting and evasive, collapsing or child-like? What’s it like to consider these as variations on the fight-flight/faun-freeze stress response? What lies underneath your gatekeepers?

With the introduction of the Social-Relational Domain, the concept of different social orientations (mind-body-heart) is put forth, advocating that awareness of these differing dynamics empowers us to be more socially competent and successful in our social interactions. Can you identify which orientation you pull most strongly from? It is easier to identify these corners if we reflect on which orientation we go to for our joy and which orientation we go to when we are stressed.

In Chapter Nine we explore the factors that shape our capacity for intimacy. What impacts your capacity to trust and relax in relationship? Imagine what it would be like to feel truly safe and comfortable with others. If you felt safe in yourself and with others, what Success Traits might bloom when you are in the presence of loved ones?

In the Spiritual Domain, we explore how our psychological beliefs and fears are often projected onto our understanding of spirituality and divinity. What experiences from your past have shaped your relationship with spirituality or the Divine? Are there any beliefs that you would like to release? If so, how do you imagine that release would impact your experience of spirituality?

In the eleventh chapter we explore what is possible if we embody our True Nature. What would a truly successful life look like for you? If you release your fears and doubts, what adventures or callings might you take up? Notice how these musings land in your mind, body, and heart. What does it feel like to imagine a joyful, meaningful, fulfilling life?