Summary

“Self Awareness leads to Self Mastery, Self Mastery leads to the personal power to choose Happiness”

Gary van Warmerdam combines the wisdom spiritual traditions have in eliminating suffering with common sense in a way that is both practical and effective. Gary has studied with best selling author of The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz since 1994.

His experiences include spiritual journeys worldwide and many trips exploring the teachings of ancient Mexico.  He co-developed and taught the Four Agreements Facilitators training at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY and the Crossings in Austin Texas.

His teachings are based in universal principles of common sense and unconditional love found in all spiritual traditions. Gary teaches workshops, leads spiritual retreats, and coaches individual clients. His book, MindWorks, is available in print and in digital formats in numerous places.

In this conversation we talk about why releasing ourselves from our mindset, thoughts and beliefs will help us live with greater happiness. This includes why the ego needs to be disrupted, domestication, becoming responsible for your life, hunt fear, and becoming more aware. Enjoy this guys, leave your comments and until next time peace, passion and purpose.

Key Take Outs

• Current beliefs, future beliefs. The great thing about this life is that we have the power within our mind to change it. If you are feeling stuck, restricted or held back from really living your life as you desire it’s probably due to your current beliefs. Work on changing these and watch the change happen in life.
• Responsibility. Happiness is our own responsibility. We should not blame of find fault externally for the state of our existence. If you want more happiness take responsibility and start looking within – this is where you will find the answers.
• The Ego and mental constructs. Our ego exists due to our up-bringing and social conditioning. The ego is our mental construct made up of positive thoughts and beliefs and negative ones of our self. In order to protect our ego we obey our ego however the ego only exists due to our beliefs. When you work to change your beliefs, thoughts and life the ego will likely work against you. Become aware how and when your ego is in charge so you can better control the outcomes you desire in life.
• Set yourself a commitment. What are you committed to from this day forward? When you make yourself a commitment that has true and deep meaning to you very personally you will do whatever it takes to live towards it. That means you will more purposeful also in life. If what you do doesn’t drive you towards your commitment, then stop doing it.
• The idea of conditional and unconditional happiness. We are conditioned to be happy. When we get the car, the time, the girl, the boy then we will be receiving our reward, then we will be happy. Reward and punishment is a conditioned way of being. Remove consequence from what you do and be happy with what you already have. In this state your actions will speak more loudly.
• Journal writing. A great practice to start the processing of clearing the mind and becoming more aware. By writing in 3^rd person you will also help highlight statements made by your ego. Practice this daily and you will see benefits.
• Hunt fear. In hunting the fear, we will help remove the fear. When we remove the fears we make room for love. Love is a powerful emotion that will help us live with more success and happiness. I also believe that if you chase the fear you will open yourself to more opportunities for self-discovery and in doing so live a life true to ones self.

Do you have any routines and rituals that you believe contribute to your success?

Practice of Gratitude. Try connect with the emotion that being grateful can bring about.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

You’re doing fine.

Gary’s interpretation of success

Being Happy

What is your number one productivity advice?

Don’t do it to please others.

Quick round questions

Favourite Food

Apple Pie

Favourite Leisure Activitiy

Basket Ball and Hiking

Favourite book(s)

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiahby Richard Bach

MindWorks: A Practical Guide for Changing Thoughts Beliefs, and Emotional Reactions by Gary van Warmerdam

Quote

“Your path is not to try and love, your path is only to remove the barriers and resistance to love.”

What does living life with passion and purpose mean?

Being Happy. If you are leading your life with purpose you will have greater happiness.

How to find Gary and other links

You can visit Gary’s website here Pathway to Happiness. While there have a read, listen to much of his great content and jump on to his free course.

Discover your Hidden Why – Jump on the Discovery Call and take your life to the level you desire it to be. In this free coaching call, valued at $250, discover what it takes to start living you life with greater passion & purpose. Do you want more freedom, fulfilment and happiness? Let me show you how. Limited spots available!