Principle Number One:

The essence of our being is love.

Love releases us into the realm of divine imagination, where the soul is expanded ...Love allows a person to see the true angelic nature of another person, the halo, theaureole of divinity.

Thomas Moore, inCare of the Soul

Whatever the problem, love is in the solution.

Life can appear to be an endless series of problems to be solved—some big, some small,some insurmountable—all calling for a different solution. You may even be facing someright now.

Attitudinal Healing offers another way of looking at problems (and the world) by focusingon the one solution to all your challenges: Your attitude in solving any problem is far moreimportant than the particular action you might take. When you approach a perceivedproblem with a defensive or angry attitude, even if you arrive at the desired solution, youwill not have peace of mind. What good does it do you to solve problems if you never findhappiness?

If you are compassionate in your approach to all tasks in life, believing that all "problems"contain valuable lessons, you will find peace of mind. Instead of being a constant "problemsolver" become a "love giver." This one shift can change your life.

Life is not as complicated as you have made it with your endless list of problems.Attitudinal Healing is based on three simple truths:

1. There are really only two emotions: love and fear.

2. There is really only one problem: the belief that you are separate from God, humanity, andnature.

3. There is really only one solution: discovering that the essence of your being is love.

When your mind is fearful, which it can easily become accustomed to being, you hold onto guilt and resentments from the past, and anticipate problems in the future. This createsa life where, even though you may accomplish a good deal, consistent happiness isimpossible. It is important to see that your guilt and resentments are causing you pain andlimiting your growth, success, and happiness. Only by seeing the effects of guilt will yoube willing to see the alternative.

Whatever the problem, love is the solution. You may be saying, "Well, my problem is thatmy mortgage is late. How is love going to pay it?" Or, "My problem is that I just got firedfrom my job. How is love going to be the solution?" Or, "I am alone and want arelationship. Whom do I have to love?"

When these types of situations happen in your life, you can become very narrow in yourthinking. All of your energy goes into the crisis at hand, and peace of mind escapes you.In approaching any problem or upset that you have there are two truths that will help youdirect your life toward happiness. These may not necessarily put money in the bank, haveyour boss rehire you, or deliver your soul mate to your door, but they will put peace in yourmind. Then, regardless of the situation, you will find happiness.

The two truths that will direct your mind toward peace and give you the ability to get themost out of all situations are:

1. I can choose to be peaceful no matter what is happening.

2. Life's problems have nothing to do with my true identity. I am one with God, and myessence is love.

Reminding yourself of these truths on a regular basis throughout the day will be abeginning in taking charge of your thinking, and thus your life. Practicing them whenconfronting a challenging life situation will make you immune to the ups and downs of theworld.

Knowing your peace of mind is up to you, not the world, is the most powerful and securestate of mind you can achieve.

Let a child teach you something.

It is hard to look at children and not see innocence. If you allow them to, they will teachyou everything about love.

I have a friend named Michael who is four years old. Michael has a rare chromosomedisorder and is delayed in some of his cognitive development in areas such as speech. Iwas speaking with his mother and I asked how his speech was coming. In a loving wayshe let me know that Michael is doing just fine at being who Michael is. I realized that myemphasis on the importance of language, instead of other forms of communication, keptme from seeing and fully appreciating Michael. She went on to tell me that though hedoesn't talk much he kisses and hugs quite a bit, and he doesn't discriminate as to whoreceives his enthusiastic and spontaneous affection. Thus there are some surprisedstrangers receiving large and loving embraces.

After speaking with Michael's mom, I realized that I would benefit from talking less andindiscriminately loving more. Michael never sees a world full of problems to be solved. Hesees a world full of people to be loved.

The essence of yourself as a child still lives in you, innocent and full of love. Let a child reintroduceyou to yourself.

Decide what you are a student of.

When people enroll in college or other institutions, they decide what courses they wouldlike to take, assumably because they have interest in the subject. It would not make muchsense, or be conducive to learning, to randomly go from class to class each day with nodirection or purpose.

Think of your life as a place of education where you have the opportunity to choose whatyou want to learn. Imagine you can choose between two curriculums: One is taught atFear State, the other at Love University.

To attend Fear State, the only requirement is for you to believe that you are separate fromGod and therefore your essence is not love.

To attend Love University, your only requirement is for you to believe there just might beanother way to go through life. No matter what you may have done in the past you willnever be rejected from Love U. Also, Love University allows transfers from Fear State atany time, no questions asked.

The curricula at the two schools are quite different and lead to very different realities andexperiences. Fear State is based on the philosophy of the ego, which teaches that you arealone and separate in a cruel and harsh world. Love University is founded on the truth thatall beings are created in love, and that this love is within you now.

Take a look at the courses each offers, and decide where you want to spend your timelearning. Note that Fear State describes its courses in a way that might initially soundattractive. Like any relentless recruiter,...