The 12 Primary Life Lessons

Spiritual Psychology interview on Skype


 Life on this earth: What are we supposed to learn?

Have you ever wondered, as I did, at some point in your life: “What is the purpose of my life? What am I here for?”

One of my favorite authors, Gary Zukav wrote about what he calls ‘the earth school’ in his book Seat of the Soul and defined it as a“special learning environment in which all that needs to be examined and brought to health in each individual is revealed to her or him in the intimacy of her or his personal experience.”

Zukav explains that we are enrolled in this life curriculum from the moment of birth till the moment of death. During our lifespan, we will encounter many lessons. When we don’t get our lesson, more opportunities will present themselves in order for us to get that particular one. Have you ever noticed recurring patterns in your own life or in the life of those around you? Does it seem that life is offering you a replay:different location, different boss or even different spouse and yet the same exact challenge?

Once we understand that we are all enrolled in the University of Life, some even call it the ‘School of hard knocks’, the next step would be to inquire about the life lessons we are supposed to master.
Just as a student enrolled in a university signs up for classes and attends them in order to get his education and eventually graduate, it is in our best interest to figure out what we are supposed to learn and focus on it.

My two youngest children are currently attending college. I tell them often, as I told their two siblings who have already graduated: “Focus on your studies.”
Imagine what would happen to students, who are enrolled in a certain school, if they were not aware of their classes and spent their whole time being curious and talking about other people’s curricula. It would certainly pass the time but be totally useless as far as their own education is concerned. I know this sounds absurd but isn’t this what is happening to so many people who spend hours each day being distracted by what is happening to others, soap opera addicts, news addicts,gossipers…and have no clue what they are supposed to focus on on their soul’s journey on this earth?
To shed more light on this topic of earth curriculum or life lessons, I would like to introduce you to Steve Rother’s book, Spiritual Psychology where the twelve primary life lessons are outlined.
Take a few minutes to go through each one and see if you can identify with one or two in particular.
All of us have one primary and possibly one or two secondary.

• Do you feel like a victim or are you frequently caught up in drama? Do you feel like you are sabotaging your own chances of success? If this is the case, your life lesson may be acceptance.
• Do you have a hard time adjusting to change? Do you operate more from your head, rather than your heart? Do you find it difficult to make decisions? In this case, your life lesson may be adaptation.
• Do you feel deep down that you are not whole, that something is lacking in your life? Do you suffer from any addictions: food, drugs, alcohol, relationships? Are you are workaholic? In this case, you life lesson may be being.
• Do you have a hard time connecting to others? Do they see you as uncaring and self-centered? Do you have a strong belief in competition? Your life lesson, in this case, may be charity.
• Do you find it challenging to express yourself from your heart? It is hard to share what you feel? Do you have a hard time telling others how much you love them, even though you may be really good as a public speaker? In this case, your life lesson may be communication.
• Do you have lots of creative ideas yet cannot making ends meet? Do you have a hard time with the concept of abundance? Do you see yourself falling in the “starving artist” category? In this case, your life lesson may be creation
• Do you have a hard time saying ‘No’ to others? Do you feel manipulated at times by others, taken advantage of? Is your partner or boss manipulative? In this case, your life lesson may be definition.
• Is honesty a problem for you? Is what you believe and what you do out of sync? In this case, your life lesson may be integrity.
• Do you have a hard time loving yourself? Are you always looking outside of yourself for the perfect relationship to complete you? Are you afraid to be alone? In this case , your life lesson may be love.
• Do you find it difficult to trust your own decisions and judgment? Do you feel that you always need others to validate you? In this case, your life lesson may be trust.
• Are you having a difficult time to know what is really true for you? Do you have a tendency to give your power away to others and allow them to make decisions for you? In this case, your life lesson may be truth, finding your own truth.
• Do you have a tendency to view things from a cosmic perspective, rather than a human one? Are you impatient when it comes to know all the answers? In this case, you may be working with the life lesson of grace.

Once you understand your life lessons, then you can focus on them and strive to overcome the challenges that life presents you. Once you overcome,you have this incredible feeling of personal success and achievement.You are finally off the wheel. What a great feeling!
Nothing is more frustrating and depressing to encounter the same challenges overand over, as if going through a deja-vu nightmare. It is no more attractive than to take algebra over and over and over. Why not study harder and pass once and for all and be done with it?
That is success.It feels really good.

So, from now on,let’s focus on our lessons and work on graduating from life’s challenges, one by one, so we can accomplish our purpose which is personal growth. Whatever you accomplish is all yours and this is something you can feel very proud of.
The ones who go forward are those who take responsibility for their lives.

We are born as powerful co-creators, made in the Image and Likeness of Source. Weare not poor helpless creatures, suffering aimlessly in this life.Each one of us has the ability and internal resource to make progress, to blossom and find joy and happiness in their life.
In conclusion, I would like to mention a quote from Anais Nin: “And the day came when the risk to remain a tight bud was more painful than the risk to blossom.”