Life is not meaningful… unless it is serving an end beyond itself; unless it is of value to someone else. Abraham Joshua Herchel
Yesterday, I sat down to write about the book and instead talked about the relationship between Dr. Wayne Dyer and me. Not that HE knew about it. (Haha. I’m so hilarious!) That post is HERE.
Today, I’ll get around to writing about the book. You’re welcome!
It’s called, “The Shift“. Obviously, it’s by Dr. Dyer. And, there’s a movie by the same name, too. It can be viewed on Amazon Prime.
I can use Dyer’s own words to describe the crux of what the book and movie are about:
It is an invitation […] to explore the process of moving away from an aimless life to one filled with meaning and purpose.
There are two mandatory shifts (or transitions) that will be discussed soon. It is hoped (by Dyer and maybe even God, as we understand Him, Her, or They) that we will move beyond those steps into optional shifts (of consciousness) that lead to a life filled with meaning and purpose.
Sounds good. Right? Isn’t that what most of us want? I sure know it’s true for me! I’ve spent my entire adult life searching…
And, in the end… it’s almost comical.
I didn’t realize – until very recently – that my job or writing (or I dare say? – my blog!) isn’t meaningful if we (you and I) assign no meaning TO IT.
Yep, I can write my heart out! I can fret, sweat, and cry buckets of tears. It can be incredibly meaningful to ME. That doesn’t mean it will be to you – and part of that will depend on where you are on your life’s journey.
Maybe it’s because you’re still somewhere in the first two (mandatory) shifts that all humans go through:
- Non-being to being. From spirit to form. Tangible. Solid.
- Ego self. Ambition. In this context, it is our False self.
For some folks, no further movement is made.
The “end of the life story” may occur.
— ** OR ** —
We can keep moving forward.
In this part of the journey, we find the following shifts:
- To – Arrival to a place where we realize we have the opportunity to turn away from the false self and head back to (what Dyer calls) our “From-ness”. A return to Spirit or Source.
- Meaning – Abandon the false self and begin our journey back to Spirit or Source.
The chapters are titled after the bolded points above. Each chapter then goes on to talk about the concept.
Threaded throughout (I’m picturing a literal thread of red meandering through the pages) are directions on how to move forward.
In my mind, I see a huge, wall-sized map. I take what I learn and put it on the map. There are colorful push-pins with threads connecting.
I know, it’s a lot of thread.
I hope you know what I mean!
What I’m saying is that it all weaves together.
It’s kinda the perfect day to be writing about this as I had a class on communication today – for the new job, you know. Our company is very into “Creating customers for life” and I LOVE IT because everything is the exact opposite of other jobs that seemed like this but really weren’t.
I won’t name names, of course, but I’ve done a LOT of customer service in my day (years and years!). Over and over again, it was…
- Follow the script!
- Hurry! The more calls, the better we look!
- Solve the problem before they even know what hit them!
- Sell, sell, sell!
- Be all things to all people!
- Be an expert without training!
- And on and on and on…
This job is different. I won’t bore you with the details but just think of the opposite of those points above.
They want us to provide the customers with meaningful conversations and solve their problems – not in a rush, not on script, not as an expert in fields outside our expertise (there are others who are experts in those things!). What a freaking, refreshing change!
Yes, I have spent years trying to create meaning in my life through my work. Sometimes I had it, sometimes not.
I thought I had it again and again… and sometimes I got so close!
Then self-sabotaged myself out of even those jobs.
Why was that?
Because things got in the way, as they often do. Money, awards, and power… I wanted it all.
In short, I put ego ahead of everything else. And I KNOW (now!) that this is absolute TRUTH. I will NOT let this happen again!
But yes, I digress.
Wayne Dyer was a gem – and his legacy will stay with us for years to come.
He grew spiritually throughout the years and wrote his books to reflect that growth.
He was one of the finest and wisest men on the planet.
On August 29, 2015, he died. I mentioned yesterday that he died from coronary heart disease. I suspect – and can picture it vividly -that he just exploded into a burst of light. His work was done. He had attained something most of us only wish we could reach. But he’s left us a road map… many, in fact! His life, his books, his legacy, are profoundly moving and important.
This book? It’s a perfect little gift book.
It’s also a guidebook, for those of us who want EGO to take a back seat. That bugger can’t be trusted to keep our best interests at heart. Trust me on this one!
The Self-Help Whisperer® 