The Seat of the Soul: Takeaways and Key Points Summary
Gary Zukav makes the case for a more meaningful life, arising from an alignment of personal values in one’s actions, words and intentions. Living this way shifts consciousness so that all actions are more intentional. He teaches how to better understand internal motivations, how to better align life with the higher purpose of the soul-harmony, cooperation, sharing and reverence for life to create a paradigm shift that causes a ripple effect throughout an individuals life, ultimately throughout all of mankind.
Key Takeaways from “The Seat of the Soul: 25th Anniversary Edition" by Gary Zukav
Takeaway #1 Two Types of Power and Two Types of Human
External power is a false power, it's manipulative and controlling, powered by our senses to make us vulnerable. Anything we fear losing whether that be a person, a job, a house, even a deep belief is an external power.
Internal power is our authentic soul power, that place we come from when we act with kindness, love, forgiveness, and clarity, it gives us a zest for life and cannot be taken away.
Five sensory humans are those who let external power control them whilst multisensory humans are those who have come of age spiritually speaking and harness their internal power.
Takeaway #2 Leaving External Power Behind
When operating from a place where external power controls us, we often believe we are powerless. The more we think we are powerless, the more powerless we become sinking into a negative spiral that is difficult to break free from as feelings of resentment, jealousy, and anger become our norm.
But it is possible to switch from a place of external power to operating from soul power, you just have to take back control by practicing the art of non-attachment and by paying careful attention to your intentions.
Explore your innermost thoughts and your most recent actions, do they come from your soul or from a place of external power? Do you operate from love or hate? From anger or understanding? Greed or kindness? Have the courage to explore your thoughts and feelings and recognize where your intentions have not been made consciously. Recognize when you made a choice that was driven by fear, doubt, and insecurity, then recognize when you made a choice that was driven by love and trust – Notice the difference.
Your choices from now on should create authentic power within you so that you don't need to look to or rely upon other people or external factors.
Takeaway #3 Giving Life Meaning & Purpose
Zukav believes everyone was put on this earth to heal their soul no matter their religious beliefs, thoughts, or feelings.
The answer to healing the soul and answering the 'meaning of life' question according to Zukay is to infuse all of our activities with reverence, compassion, and trust so that our lives become joyful and fulfilled and have purpose and meaning. There are no endings, only new beginnings.
Apply What You Read
On average, 90% of what we read is forgotten within the first hours after reading... Which is why it’s so important to apply what you read.
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The Seat of the Soul Chapters
Chapter One - Evolution
Chapter Two - Karma
Chapter Three - Reverence
Chapter Four - Heart
Chapter Five - Intuition
Chapter Six - Light
Chapter Seven - Intention I
Chapter Eight - Intention II
Chapter Nine - Choice
Chapter Ten - Addiction
Chapter Eleven - Relationships
Chapter Twelve - Souls
Chapter Thirteen - Psychology
Chapter Fourteen - Illusion
Chapter Fifteen - Power
Chapter Sixteen - Trust
Best Quotes from The Seat of the Soul
“He who has learned to disagree without being disagreeable has discovered the most valuable secret of negotiation.”
“Conflict brings out truth, creativity, and resolution.”
“If you approach a negotiation thinking the other guy thinks like you, you are wrong. That's not empathy, that's a projection.”
“Negotiate in their world. Persuasion is not about how bright or smooth or forceful you are. It’s about the other party convincing themselves that the solution you want is their own idea. So don’t beat them with logic or brute force. Ask them questions that open paths to your goals. It’s not about you.”
“The beauty of empathy is that it doesn’t demand that you agree with the other person’s ideas”
“Hope is not a strategy”
“Negotiation is not an act of battle; it’s a process of discovery. The goal is to uncover as much information as possible.
“Mirrors work magic. Repeat the last three words (or the critical one to three words) of what someone has just said. We fear what’s different and are drawn to what’s similar. Mirroring is the art of insinuating similarity, which facilitates bonding. Use mirrors to encourage the other side to empathize and bond with you, keep people talking, buy your side time to regroup, and encourage your counterparts to reveal their strategy.”
“Another simple rule is, when you are verbally assaulted, do not counterattack. Instead, disarm your counterpart by asking a calibrated question.”
“This is listening as a martial art, balancing the subtle behaviors of emotional intelligence and the assertive skills of influence, to gain access to the mind of another person. Contrary to popular opinion, listening is not a passive activity. It is the most active thing you can do. ”
“Research shows that the best way to deal with negativity is to observe it, without reaction and without judgment. Then consciously label each negative feeling and replace it with positive, compassionate, and solution-based thoughts. ”
“The positive/playful voice: Should be your default voice. It’s the voice of an easygoing, good-natured person. Your attitude is light and encouraging. The key here is to relax and smile while you’re talking.”
― Gary Zukav - The Seat of the Soul: 25th Anniversary Edition
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Editor and Founder
Tal Gur is a location independent entrepreneur, author, and impact investor. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His most recent book and bestseller, The Art of Fully Living - 1 Man, 10 Years, 100 Life Goals Around the World, has set the stage for his new mission: elevating society to its abundance potential.
