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Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling

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I first encountered the words of Wayne Dyer 5 or so years ago on PBS. I liked what I heard. Though nothing he says is original, I did like the way he presented it.

The first book of his I read was "There's A Spiritual Solution to Every Problem", the book on which the first lecture I watch on PBS was based.

I was inspired by, and enjoyed that book. As I did the next two or three. But recently, and especially with this latest volume, he simply repackages his older books in a different form. Ironic for a book about inspiration.

I want to be clear that I have no intrinsic problem with some of the concepts he talks about. But this book, and his lectures, and overall attitude lately, as opposed to my first exposure to him, are becoming quite the turn off.

In this volume, there were somevery glaring examples of either contradiction, strict unfairness, and at times, ego...despite Dyer's commitment against the ego.

I also found it very repetative, but I realize he warns of that early on. However just because something is acknowledged, does not mean it should be accepted.

The following items bothered me the most, and I would be interested to learn if others readers agree with these bothersome items.

-The oft mentioned assumption that he is personally the reincarnated spirit of St. Francis of Asissi.

-He is not very supportive of his friends. To him it seems that to even be in the presence of an unhappy person insults him. His reason being that since life is perfect and nothing wrong EVER happens to us, being unhappy or scared of something is simply a low energy, and one thathe is unwilling to stand inthe presence of. He even mentions a story of a good friend of his who started to be worried about the leaness of his business. He had legitimate concerns about going under. Not thoughts of evil or suicide or anything, just some natural worry when the finances did not look good.

Dyer, in the book, tells us "just about the time I was no longer willing to be exposed to this sort of thing..." Meaning that in his perfect life, there are no accidents, and so, he did not want to be around his supposed friend, because being a little scared or worried is ungodlike. He ignores the fact that in order to help people, especially friends, you have to be in the midst of bad things sometimes. He often quotes Mother Teresa. Yet if shehad told all of those sick people to simply "think about what you were doing when you first became sick, and stop doing it!" she would not bethe saintwe recognize her as today.

-Secondly, multiple times in just about every chapter, he plugged one or more of his other books, books by colleagues, or books published by Hay House. It is allright to acknowledge your previous works, or those of others, but the frequency with which he does so in thisvolume is disingenuous at best. Product placement, at worst.

-I call one's attention to page 106 of the book. Dyer's "12 Step Program to Simplicity." Items 10 and 11.

Item 10 calls for us to "Eschew Debt" and to live within our means...not purchases or buying things we do not absolutley need, in order to live the life we agreed with God to havebefore we were born.

The very next item, number 11, instructs us to "forget about cash value." He proceeds, on the very same page, to tell us that we should not look at the dollar signs when we are "inspired" to do something like take a trip, eat a nice dinner out on the town, or be comfortable. How can one eschew debt, and yet ignore the dollar value of an item they are inspired to posess?

-Pages 110-113. The Ram Dass Story.
This is among the more insulting parts of the book. He tells the story of one ofhis mentors, and reproduces a letter he has posted on his (Dyer) own website. In it, Dyer tells of how gentle and wonderful Dass hasbeen, and how important this "dear friend" has been throughouthis life, especially since coming to live in Maui in the twilight of his life.

Then, Dyer has the audacity to solicit you and I for money to help buy Dass his own house! In Maui!

This book "eschewing" the ideaof possesions, money, and doubting that the universe will take care of everything you ever could want, is asking us to pay for his mentor's housing conditions, simply because Dyer thinks he is "a wonderful man".

How about this...Dyer isso fond of "giving something of yourself everyday..." how about cutting into your millions of dollars and cutting a check for your hero to own his own house? You can afford it, I cannot. Or if you cannot swallow that, cut him a check large enough to coverhis moving expenses out of Maui (one of the most expensive places on earth to live), and to a location far more affordable. If what is said about Dass is true, he should be happy anywhere he can find to live. They arrogance of a millionaire asking for donations to save his "mentor" who lives just down the street from him was nearly enough to get me to stop reading the book right there.

Furthermore, the entire business bore little relevence to the rest of the chapter, which was ostensibly about "Faith Banishes all doubt".

Unless you can sucker the general public into buying your guru a home in Maui.

-The name dropping throughout the book. He studied with, worked with, talked to, helped the luggage problems of...fill in the blank with celebrity X. The encounter with Renee Zellwegger outlined on pages 144-146 (complete with photo copy of a note she gave him) is the most glaring example of this.

-His mentioning more of the great things he did "in spirit", such as throwing away a mashed up burger he saw on the floor of a McDonald's, page 150 or so. I love how picking up a burger being trampled is heroic, but heneeds ourhelp in paying for his guru's home....

My point is made. There are other things, but honstly, I do not feel like looking for the page number, as I would have to skim the book again.

I am finding Dyer to be more annoying as time goes on. By his own advice about annoying people, I should send himthoughts of love. I would do so, in proportion to how much this book annoyed me, but I also have a day job.

"Inspiration flowing through us is a messenger from the realm of our nonphysical self, from where we were before we entered this visible world of form. We have the ability to return to that formlessness right now, in our body, without experiencing physical death. - From the book

Renowned lecturer and author Dr. Wayne Dyer has dedicated his newest book to in-Spirited living. Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling contains methods for finding your way to an inspired life, absorbing the inspiration of others, becoming an inspiration, and transcending commonplace uninspiring energy.

According to Dyer, inspiration is the opposite of motivation. Motivation is "grabbing an idea and carrying it through to an acceptable conclusion", but inspiration is the reverse-allowing ourselves to be moved by a Force greater than ourselves. While motivation pushes us towards goals, inspiration is a relaxed flow, enabling us to enjoy where we are on the way to where we're going. By remembering our constant connection to Source energy, we tap into peace, ease, and abundance.

Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling teaches some brilliant principles that I've discovered in my own life, and found to be a guiding source for inspiration and on-purpose living-such as the power of giving, gratitude, and following curiosity. Some of my favorite quotes from the book include:

"Remember: We're already connected to everything that we think is missing from our life. Below and above the ranges that our eyes and ears perceive, the entire activity of creation remains invisible and inaccessible-but when we shift from sensory searching to trusting what we know, we discover the folly of chasing after anything in order to feel inspired."

"...you'll never find light by analyzing the darkness..."

"Having an interest in something is the clue to a thought that's connected to our calling-that thought is a vibration of energy in this vast Universe."

"Ego nags us to compete and insists that we've failed when others defeat us or have more than we do."

"Lecturing or demanding others live peacefully is one of the least effective ways to inspire them; however, when we simply demonstrate that we're living peacefully, we offer other people a large dose of inspiration by our mere presence."

"...we must make a conscious choice to say no to anything that takes us away from an inspired life...We can start by turning down requests that involve actions that don't correspond with our inner knowing about why we're here".

While Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling is replete with sage, universal wisdom, some of Dyer's recommendations are contradictory and counterproductive. Throughout the book, he asserts that we are not our body-that we are spirits having a human experience. When we forget this truth and associate with ego ("edging God out"), we aren't living "in Spirit". Then Dyer relates a story about Ram Dass, whom one day was pondering what it would be like to be old and infirm--mere seconds before his incapacitating stroke.

Dyer tries to connect metaphysical dots by saying that Dass attracted his stroke and illness based on what he was thinking at the time. Towards the end of the book, he says that if you've attained victim status, experienced natural devastation, sickness, etc. it's "not your fault". However, in the next breath-and echoed throughout the book-he stresses, "Since fear is a vibration, you were a vibrational match to whatever entered you life at the moment of its arrival". In effect, he's saying, "Yes, sickness and disease IS actually your fault, because you were in fear and attracted it." Earlier in the book, Dyer mentions that we've come from a great "wave" before incarnating as a "particle" and that we were an integral part of devising our soul's curriculum on the Earth. If this is true, then Dass included his stroke into his "sacred contract" or life chart. Jesus was once asked by religious folks why a man was infirm ("Did he sin? Did his parents sin?") and Jesus replied, "No one sinned-it was to declare the glory of God."

What Dyer is forgetting (or doesn't realize) is that if we're not our body, then we sure as heck aren't our thoughts! Yet, he advocates aggressively policing our thoughts, attempting to destroy the ego, and affirming health through negative affirmations. For example, in Chapter 13, he recommends that individuals should say provocative affirmations (his words) aloud, such as "I'll never allow myself to feel old, feeble or frail" and "I refuse to allow Alzheimer's, cancer, or any other infirmity in my life". Any student of Hypnosis 101 knows that the brain doesn't "hear" negatives. That is, what the brain will actually receive is "I allow Alzheimer's, cancer..." etc. He sprinkles these kinds of negative affirmations throughout the book.

This focus on laboring to eradicate "negative" thoughts (and people and circumstances) contradicts not one, but two of the principles listed in his book:

1. "The ego says `your thoughts are very important' but the Holy Spirit insists `Only thoughts you think with God are real-nothing else matters'"

2. "The ego says `There's good and bad' but the Holy Spirit maintains `There's nothing to judge because it isn't real in the first place'".

I get the feeling that Dyer is enraptured by the recent popular teachings of Quantum Physics, A Course in Miracles and the Law of Attraction, without actually understanding or embodying the principles. (He's not the first to do this with an idea. Many teachers get excited about new theories and then run out to teach them on the fly. In fact, I suspect that he does this quite often because he states in the book that the "best way to learn something is to teach it".) As a result, some of his writing is rambling and vague. One of the universal laws of spirit is "where attention goes, energy flows". If you're focused on illness and fear-even in the name of banishing or preventing these undesired experiences-you're still focused on them!

Why not, instead, focus on health, peace, and joy-as well as emotions that make you feel good? Dyer has failed to mention the crux of the Law of Attraction: the elevation and association of "feel good" emotions. Or, as author Michael Losier says, "blowing your fan". That is, your *emotional* state while thinking certain thoughts is more important than the thoughts themselves!

Dyer also points out that we need to live in the Now, yet his negative affirmations encourages projection into the future, e.g., "I won't attract further illness into my life".

In line with classic Dyer teachings, there are some wonderful insights in Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling-ones that can truly be life changing. I just wish he hadn't muddied the clear waters of inspiration and in-spirited living with some armchair ambiguity about Quantum Physics and the Law of Attraction--most of which he borrowed from other authors. These disconnected, contradictory ramblings could very likely discourage and confuse seekers trying to improve their lives or remember their continuous connection to the loving, constant Presence of All That Is.

"Inspiration" was a gift from a friend who knows I've enjoyed some of Dyer's previous writings. I feel bad she spent the money...

Initally I thought maybe I was missing something or simply being overly critical; I really wanted to love this book. Some of the concepts resonate (although nothing new), but... it's poorly written, self-laudatory ad nauseam and, sadly, just leaves a very negative impression of Mr. Dyer (the "Dr." title just doesn't seem to fit in this case).

Soliciting money for his friend in Maui was in very poor taste, his name-dropping monotonous, and his self-righteous undertone throughout the book, a bit alarming.

Doubtful I'll be spending any more of my hard earned money on Dyer propaganda and will advise my friend the same. There are a lot of other dynamic, inspiring authors out there.

There's no question, Dr. Dyer is a terrific inspirational speaker and writer. His latest offering, Your Ultimate Calling, is no exception.

On the positive side, if/when you need a pick me up, a life guide, a spiritual coach, or you just want to read something that will lift your spirits, this book is just what the doctor ordered. It's simple yet ultimately satisfying. It's hard to argue with the main concept, if you want to be successful at anything, a little spiritual intervention wouldn't hurt.

The only reason why I'm giving it 4 stars, rather than 5, there isn't an incredible amount of "meat" in the book. Dyer keeps drilling into our heads what we need to do, but I still wish he'd be a little more to the point. Maybe I need a little more hand-holding than most.

Otherwise, a terrific read.

Dr. Dyer definitely gives positive life-changing advice. But he may go to an extreme that could have negative effects. For instance he tells of picking up hitchikers regularly. It seems some practicality is in order and we were created not just with a heart for inspiration but with a mind to balance that inspiration as well.

Yet this book reminds us of some key points. It tells how we are all just a part of the universe and how ego falsely tells us we are only individuals. This leads to more cooperation instead of competition. But is cooperation always best? Is it always best to turn the other cheek? Or do we need to ensure people are not rewarded for doing the wrong thing? When is turning the other cheek living in harmony, and when is it just giving up? Should we work for our individual interests even when it causes conflict with others individual interests? Are we always to be the giver? Where is the balance?

And is every coincidence a message as Dyer indicates? Rather I think that mathematically we are going to have coincidences happen all day because there are millions of one-in-a-million chances every day. Yet his story of the Monarch butterfly certainly seems beyond coincidence. (It seemed better told in the video on PBS.)

One key piece of advice he gives is that focusing on goals keeps us from living in the present. We can have goals but Now is all we truly have. You will find the same advice in business books such as the Carnegie classic How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. You will find the same advice in psychology. You can either have a goal to live as you wish to or simply live today as you wish to. Dyer encourages us to live.

Books such as this remind me I can want something but it may or may not happen, and that is OK. It may even happen in a way I totally do not expect. No matter what we do the best we can do is follow our inspiration and let life unfold.

The peacefulness that Dyer teaches could add years to your life by relieving stress. For that reason alone you should read the book. It is also concise in that it seems to cover his main teachings. I liked it much better than The Power of Intention.

My favorite Motivational author is Anthony Robbins. I avoided Robbins like the plague because of his hype. A friend had a book of his and I found it to be extremely practical in teaching constructive ways of thinking. I loved Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling but do feel the need to balance it with more practical teachings.

Dyer points out we should follow our heart and the head should simply tell us how. I highly recommend this book. What he teaches is true: We are all from the same Source, and all we have is Now. As far as the exact implementation of these beliefs I think there is more room for practicality.

I read Wayne Dyer's newest one. A truly great book. I do agree with another reviewer that points out that some of what can be found in the Power of intention is also found here. But other than that, I could only say great things. And actually, there is nothing that wrong with being reminded of some important concepts.

I have thought on many occasions how interesting Wayne's perspective is. He doesn't preach. He doesn't tell you to "get saved," but he is actually writing about God. Just like in the Power Intention. It's obvious that "intention," is God. I am a Christian and I know some Christians who don't like him because he doesn't say much about Jesus Christ. In that respect, I think that Wayne Dyer is sometimes misunderstood. God is all about love, and so is Wayne Dyer. This is excellent material, and this book did "inspire" me.

Dr. Dyer is truly fun to listen to. He's inspirational and I believe he means what he says. These CDs are an example of his seminar type lectures, but taken from a more personal standpoint. I enjoyed listening to them, but didn't find the 'how to' part of it particularly easy to follow. A lot of platitudes are thrown out there as suggestions, but I guess the subject doesn't lend itself to a specific roadmap. If you're listening for inspiration - great. If you're looking for some revelation as to 'how to become like Wayne Dyer,' you may be disappointed.

As a fan of Wayne Dyer's, I found this CD/book on tape to be with slight exception disappointing. Although certain phrases in the first few chapters were truly remarkable, I thought that the whole read as a big love fest for Wayne Dyer himself. There were many times that I found it to be outright narcissistic. For example, when Dyer referred to himself as the reincarnation of St. Francis, I found that to be highly inappropriate. It is my opinion that this work is a wordy and uninteresting curriculum vitae of Wayne Dyer. It is an amassment of dropped names and quotations. Redundantly uninspiring for me...but perhaps inspiring for someone else.

There's a beautiful amount of inspiration, heartfelt sharing of the author's experiences and the importance of living with inspiration, rather than "goals" which may be good for some, however, living and being inspired does feel a lot better than a goal checklist, at least for me!

I'm glad I read this book, as it brought me a lot of the good things to consider, which made a difference for me.

I've followed Wayne for quite some time and have come to wonder if he has ever had an original thought. Early on in my exploration I was awed by what he had to say, however, as I have read more broadly and deeply, i have seen that he is not a spiritual master, but a spiritual repackager. He is sooo excited about himself and his "discoveries" that you cannot help but wonder if he really understands them. Answer: No. He's just a giddy wanna-be guru, who knows as much as the next person who has read as many books as Wayne. That's it folks!

One of the persons he has numerously repackaged is Alan Watts. In fact, I could refer to him as Watered-down-Watts Wayne. Ha. I digress. You will find great delight, insight, and practicality in Alan Watts' Tao: The Watercourse Way, The Way of Zen, The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, (and even) The Wisdom of Insecurity. In these fine writings, in my opinion, you will find one of Wayne's main sources. Check out Watts, you shan't be disappointed.

As for Wayne, he's 67 or so, and he is still SEARCHING?? Hmmm. My prediction: his next book and PBS special will be even greater and more profound than his last, now that he is really enlightened...or so he will say. Wayne, I know that writing is who you are, but does that mean you have to turn every journal into another book?

Walk on! Watts!