author. speaker. motivator.
Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. www.jackcanfield.com
political powerhouse. media mogul. author.
Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. www.huffingtonpost.com
author. speaker. linchpin.
Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. www.squidoo.com/linchpin
yogi. philanthropist. dynamic teacher.
Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. www.yogaforyouth.org
producer. philanthropist. tv legend.
Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. www.normanlear.com
race car driver. activist. carbon free girl.
Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. www.leilanimunter.com
Freedom Fighter. Philanthropist. Game Changer.
By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery’s penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. www.freetheslaves.net
mom. TED-talker. no-bullsh**er.
Sophie Chiche, founder of lifebyme.com, is the single mom of an amazing 16-year-old, Leah, and wicked step-mom of 22-year-old, Sarah. They all live in LA. You can find them boxing, cooking, collaging, hosting brunches, laughing their head off or bickering over who’s washing and who’s drying the dishes.
Writer. Entrepreneur. Daily Lover.
Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. www.TheDailyLove.com
singer. musician. crier.
Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. www.lizphair.com
archbishop. author. peaceful leader.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. www.tutu.org
author. ceo. humanitarian.
Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. www.womenforwomen.org
speaker. psychotherapist. life embracer.
Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He’s a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. www.timetostand.com
yogi. meditator. teacher.
Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. www.kiamiller.com
creator. writer. idea geek.
Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. www.simonmainwaring.com
Strategist. Writer. Life Coach.
Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. www.getupgirl.com
Designer. Art Director. Passionate Creator.
Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He’s a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. www.candytangerine.com
Agent. Producer. Photography Enthusiast.
Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com
devotion
Georgia Gwynne-Gruber
Rapper. Screenwriter. Devotee.
Georgia Gwynne-Gruber was a rapper/singer in the rock band Weapons before arriving in Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting. Her science fiction trilogy Darklight is presently in development.
I was 21 years old when I was sentenced to nine months in prison for a small recreational drug offense. Less than a year earlier, I’d graduated from Oxford University with a law degree. The irony didn’t escape me.
That seemingly “small” offense changed my entire life. The former Georgia died. Inside prison, she reached a point, inside herself, where the entire human situation seemed pointless. It was a moment of profoundest despair – the space Zen Masters call serenity, the space that must be felt before spiritual practice can truly begin. In that moment, when my fear, sorrow, guilt, remorse, and anger burst their bubble, I was transported to a space where tears of laughter overwhelmed my being until the peace of surrender outshined all the shadows.
It was years later, when I met my Spiritual Teacher Adi Da Samraj, that I realized I’d been given the gift of positive disillusionment. I’d reached a place where I knew in my heart that a conventional life would not be enough to bring me happiness. For true happiness, there had to be realization, and for the realization of happiness to be ultimate instead of fleeting, I would need to learn the art, science, and love that is devotion.
The practice of devotion may be difficult, but the rewards are immeasurable: devotion to serving others, devotion to happiness (not merely seeking happiness, but practicing being happy, regardless of what arises), devotion to spiritual practice, devotion to creativity, devotion to family, devotion to loving when it’s most difficult.
During eight years of globe-trotting as a freelance journalist, and later as a TV producer for an international travel show, I filmed and spent time with spiritual teachers. From those experiences and the ten years I’ve spent in relationship to my own guru, Adi Da Samraj, the thing that stands out about these enlightened teachers is that their happiness, intelligence, wisdom, and ability to positively affect others comes from a deep place of unwavering devotion.
The secret of devotion seems to be a heart willing to surrender to The Great Mystery. When I remember to feel and breathe the Mystery and to be the Mystery, I’m happy, and all kinds of more-than-wonderful events occur. And when I feel happy, I’m in a much better position to help and love others. To be happy and to love … what greater joy is there?
- Georgia Gwynne Gruber
Explore More Meaning
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writer. joyful experiencer. courage advocate.
Within six years, Debra Oakland lost her son, her unborn child, two brothers, and her father. Instead of giving up, she chooses to live in courage, joy, and power. www.livingincourageonline.com
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writer. list maker. self challenger.
Elizabeth Jayne Liu gives herself a weekly challenge every Monday. She fails a lot, but has a great time doing it. www.flourishinprogress.com
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environment harmonizer. author. clutter clearer.
Stephanie Bennett Vogt, MA, is an award-winning author and the founder of SpaceClear, a teaching and consulting practice dedicated to cultivating a clear home and a spacious life. www.spaceclear.com
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coach. trainer. time warrior.
Steve Chandler is a corporate trainer, business coach, and co-founder of the World Mastermind network, Club Fearless. He is the best-selling author of Time Warrior. www.stevechandler.com
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expresser. body attender. dream catcher.
Dyana Valentine works closely and intensely with people and companies truly ready to make something happen. Through a platform of community psychology, she helps high-performing creatives move and shake. www.dyanavalentine.com
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author. speaker. linchpin.
Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. www.squidoo.com/linchpin
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pink medicine revolutionary. community builder. mojo reconnector.
Author, artist, motivational speaker, and Pink Medicine Revolutionary Lissa Rankin, MD, founded OwningPink.com, a website and workshops that build authentic community and empower women to get their mojo back. www.linkedin.com/in/lissarankin
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international consultant. bestselling author. mr. fabulous.
Bestselling author Stan Slap is President of the international consulting company slap, specializing in achieving maximum commitment in business cultures and making the business case for humanity. www.slapcompany.com
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