THIS ISSUE'S SUCCESS LINKS SPIRITUAL PATH AUDIO INTRO (7:15): The intro track of my new CD is this issue's audio tool. You'll hear about a client who didn't believe his business could be a spiritual path and learn about what's possible when you use your business as your guide. Listen to the.mp3 file now. YOUR BUSINESS CAN BE A SPIRITUAL PATH 80 minute audio CD (with bonus web area for CD owners only): If you've enjoyed the audio exercises you've heard in the e-zine each month, you'll also get a lot from my new CD. It guides you through the five practices you can use immediately to grow your soul at work. Read testimonials, track titles, and more here.

THE SPIRITUAL PATH OF BUSINESS
by success and spirit coach Michele Lisenbury Christensen

I work with the most audacious people! Those who show up for my talks, read my writing, and engage me as their spiritual business coach are so darn DEMANDING of life: They want not only to be successful by worldly measures…high achievement, deep service, and substantial profitability…they also insist upon attaining personal greatness. They want to be known, to themselves and others, as extraordinary human beings: intuitive, kind, generous, wise, and deeply fulfilled. They want true spiritual realization. You've heard the term "having it all?" These people want it ALL, not only in terms of this life, but beyond.

And that's where I come in: I help them attain spiritual fulfillment AND worldly achievement at the same time. How does it work? How do we do it? How can we attain realization of our true nature while we're slogging it out in the material world of running a business, raising a family, and being part of modern society? We can't go sit in a mountain cave or meditate for hours every day…we've got lives to live here!

The solution? We use business itself as our spiritual path. Our businesses and the people and activities within them can actually provide us with all the guidance and challenge we'll ever need for our spiritual realization. We need only to engage with business as a spiritual path, and it becomes one.

You know the interesting part? The integration of business and spirit is not only possible: it's essential. There's no other way for people like us—the ones who want it all—to thrive. We're in business, and we're also hungry for a deeper connection to meaning, purpose, and the Divine. Perhaps some people pursue business success only for the money, the ego gratification, the material security. But for spiritually-oriented business people like us to really thrive, we have to change the way we do our work. We must use our business as a spiritual path. And every time we forget that, life reminds us we're just a little off-track. We feel drained or stressed or overwhelmed or under-supported. We know we're in the right business, but we're still not fulfilled. Our income is lower than we want. Or our health or our relationships throw up a red flag, warning us we're pushing too hard. All these "problems" are simply signals from Life, trying to get our attention. Life is trying to send us the message that there's an easier way. It's constantly telling us that all we have to do is integrate business and spirit.

When we do, the impossible becomes possible. In an uncertain world, we find security. The reassurance we've been craving comes to us from all sides. The guidance we've been looking for appears with crystal clarity.

Your burning questions are answered:

• You've asked, "Can I maintain a spiritual perspective in the face of real business challenges?" You will know that you can.
• You've wondered, "Can I sustain the success I have? Will it last?" You will know it can last.
• You've questioned yourself: "Am I living my best life?" You will be confident that you are.
• You've asked, "Will others take me seriously if I live from and express my spiritual side?" They will, and you will feel how much you inspire them.
• You've hoped, "Can I attain spiritual mastery while pursuing business success?" You can, and you will.

PRACTICES FOR USING YOUR BUSINESS AS A SPIRITUAL PATH

The differences between pursuing success and using success as a daily path toward spiritual growth are SUBTLE. These subtle differences are my passion, and I've outlined five practices that can help us grow our souls at work. These five practices have helped me and my clients prosper while we grow, and grow while we prosper. The audio CD details each of these practices. E-mail me and let me know your experiences with them.

Practice 1: Seeing Your Reflection: Learn to use your business, your colleagues, your competitors, your challenges, and your environment as mirrors of your inner world. When something happens outside you, take it as feedback from Life and look at how your own growth might provide a better resolution than a mechanical "handling" of it.

Practice 2: Setting the Tone in Every Situation: Someone sets the tone wherever you go…It might as well be you. Hold a high, clear intention and act in accordance with it, and notice how others follow your lead, whether they're clients, prospects, vendors, employees, or loved ones.

Practice 3: Creating Everything Twice: You create results in your mind long before they appear in your world. Honor the creative power of your thoughts and your focus, as precursors and essential partners to your actions. Spend deliberate time and energy creating with your mind, and notice how well those visions unfold.

Practice 4: Growing Into Your Overwhelm: The things you're meant to have will feel almost "too good to be true." Your callings will feel like "too much," so it's essential – to live your best life – to acclimate yourself to feeling full, overwhelmed, humbled, and stretched. That's where the fun, the spiritual connection, and the best rewards are found!

Practice 5: Balancing Making it Happen and Letting It Unfold: The modern world values "getting stuff done" so much that we've forgotten that's only half our power. When we claim the power of allowing, we harness the true possibility of both kinds of power, because we use each where it's appropriate. We're also able to rest and enjoy the fruits of our action, and feel the rewards we've earned.

May these practices prosper you and connect you to the divine Source from which we all draw our juice.

Until next time,
may the light within you illuminate the world around you.

          Blessings,

Michele Lisenbury Christensen
Success and Spirit Coach

© 2005 Michele Lisenbury Christensen. All rights reserved. Feel free to or re-publish, with the following copyright and contact information attached:
"By Michele Lisenbury Christensen, MA, PCC, Success and Spirit Coach. Please visit http://www.successandspirit.com for additional articles, interviews, and resources for creating sustainable success and spiritual connection." (Please make sure the link is live if placed in an e-mail or web page)

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