Ever wondered how to combat fear and addiction, and find your true purpose? How has meditation and spiritual practice transformed lives? What is the power of surrender and letting go of control? Dive into this compelling journey from depression to enlightenment, guided by the Universe, and discover your own path to love, joy, and fulfillment.

The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith

When Gabrielle Bernstein, the author, was 16, depression quietly entered her life, enveloping her in a haze of fear and sadness. Her mother, a devoted yogi and meditator, offered her a simple mantra: "So Ham." It’s a classic Sanskrit mantra from yogic tradition, meaning: "I am that" or "I am One with the Universe".

Gabrielle embraced meditation, and to her surprise, it brought immediate relief, surrounding her with a warm, loving energy. Yet, life eventually drew her away from this inner peace, leading her to chase happiness through external successes and relationships. This pursuit left her lost in addiction and shame, until she returned to her mantra and reconnected with the love of the Universe.

For over a decade, meditation and spiritual practice have been Gabrielle's lifeline, consistently guiding her back to love. This love, which she identifies as God, spirit, or the Universe, is her true source of power and purpose. In a world that often prioritizes external achievements and fosters fear, she has learned a vital truth: the presence of fear signals reliance on one’s own strength, while love invites the guidance of a higher power.

Gabrielle’s friend Carla exemplifies this lesson beautifully. Consumed by stress and ambition, Carla eventually reached rock bottom, suffering a nervous breakdown. During her recovery, a childhood prayer unexpectedly led her to a series of synchronistic events that transformed her life. Carla came to realize that success is an inner journey. By realigning with her true passion, she found both peace and purpose.

Gabrielle believes that the stories we tell ourselves shape our perceptions, and fear-based narratives can confine us. However, much like switching out a film reel, it’s possible to shift these internal stories to ones of love and empowerment. 

Gabrielle recalls a moment when an old fear from high school—the fear of being an outsider—resurfaced. A misunderstanding about a party invitation triggered those feelings. By choosing to pray for peace and clarity, she discovered the invitation sitting in her spam folder, a moment that demonstrated how fear stories can distort reality.

By aligning with love, we begin to flow with the energy of the Universe, opening ourselves to synchronicity, solutions, and freedom. The choice between love and fear is always available, and opting for love allows miracles to unfold. Gabrielle sees this journey as an ongoing process of recognizing our inner power, transforming perceptions, and consciously choosing to learn through love. She emphasizes that joy is our birthright, and by attuning ourselves to the Universe, we can elevate not only our own lives but also the world around us.

Can Meditation and Love Truly Heal Your Life?

As you progress through life, consider the world your classroom and the people your assignments. Every experience offers a choice: to learn through love or fear. Embracing these spiritual assignments with a willingness to heal can lead to miracles. If you avoid them, you'll remain stuck in unhelpful patterns. 

Take Lance, for example. He grew up believing he wasn't smart enough, which led to self-destructive behaviors. In his 30s, he chose sobriety and began a journey of recovery. When he started dating a woman whose jokes triggered his old insecurities, he felt compelled to break up. But Gabrielle advised him to see this as a divine assignment to face his fears. By confronting his old wounds, he healed and grew, even though the relationship eventually ended. 

You too have universal assignments to face. Recognize uncomfortable situations as opportunities for healing. Witness your fears, feel your emotions, and practice self-compassion. Seek help from the Universe with a prayer like, "Thank you, Universe, for this divine assignment. Show me where to go, what to do, and what to say. I trust I'm being guided."

Embrace your assignments, heal old patterns, and expect miracles. Lance's story shows the power of showing up for your assignments. You'll deepen relationships, build trust, and free yourself from past pain. Face your fears, be vulnerable, and allow the Universe to guide you.

Your inner stories shape your reality. Positive thoughts and words elevate your energy, attracting similar vibrations. Fearful thoughts do the opposite. Practice meditation and set intentions to align with love. When you focus on joy, you attract supportive energy from the Universe.

For example, Gabrielle's friend Jessica shifted her focus from frustration in her dating life to a positive intention of finding a partner. Within months, she was in a serious relationship. Similarly, you can transform any area of your life by setting empowering intentions.

Joyful energy can even impact the collective consciousness. The Maharishi Effect demonstrated that a group of meditators reduced crime in a community by 16%. Your joyful presence can create a ripple effect, healing and uplifting those around you.

Lean toward joy in every situation. Even mundane tasks like sitting in traffic can become opportunities for fun. Joyful choices attract support from the Universe, as evidenced by the synchronicities Gabrielle has experienced, like receiving an angel wing charm.

In short, recognize and embrace your spiritual assignments, align with positive energy, and lean toward joy. These practices will open you up to the guidance and miracles of the Universe, transforming your life and the lives of those around you.

Transform Your Life: Embrace Spiritual Assignments

In 2014, Gabrielle and her husband embarked on a nine-month quest to find a new apartment in New York City, a journey fraught with frustration and disappointment in an overheated seller's market. Each viewing left them disheartened, and their dream of owning a first home started to feel impossible. 

One night, after a particularly grueling day of house hunting in Brooklyn, they hit a breaking point. Her husband, fed up, kept repeating, “This is un-fun.” Desperate for a solution, Gabrielle suggested they pray for a creative answer—and just like that, a sense of relief washed over them. An inspired idea to look for homes in the countryside emerged, reigniting their excitement.

In just 45 minutes, they found a few promising listings upstate and set up a tour. The first house they visited, the Mountain House, was a revelation. As they drove up its enchanting driveway, her husband declared, “This is the one.” The house exuded a magical energy, wrapping them in a feeling of home. 

However, uncertainty lingered. Seeking reassurance, Gabrielle decided to ask for a sign—a whimsical idea inspired by her friend Colette, a psychic medium. She chose an owl as her sign, and while she didn’t find it immediately at the Mountain House, a chance encounter with an owl sticker on a car bumper later confirmed the Universe had their back.

They made an offer on the Mountain House, and it was accepted. As they navigated the anxieties of first-time home buying, more signs appeared, strengthening their belief in the Universe’s plan. Their journey taught them the power of surrendering to higher guidance. By letting go of control and embracing creative possibilities, they aligned with an abundant flow of energy.

Similarly, consider the day when Gabrielle and her husband found themselves stuck in an elevator. What started as a claustrophobic nightmare turned into a lesson in trust and connection. Amidst the tension, Gabrielle focused on comforting her husband, and soon the elevator became a space for healing their recent pattern of petty arguments.

These experiences reinforced the idea that obstacles can be divine detours. By letting go of rigid expectations and embracing uncertainty, Gabrielle and her husband discovered that the Universe often has a better plan. Whether it’s finding a home or navigating relationships, opening up to creative possibilities can lead to unexpected joy and fulfillment. Through prayer, surrender, and a playful approach to life, Gabrielle believes we can align with the Universe and let love lead the way.

Can Trusting the Universe Lead You to Your Dream Home Like It Did for Gabrielle?

In 2005, during the early stages of Gabrielle's sober recovery, she immersed herself in self-help books, spiritual podcasts, and inspiring DVDs. One DVD, "You Can Heal Your Life", particularly resonated with her. It featured authors like Louise Hay and Dr. Wayne Dyer. 

Wayne Dyer's wisdom, encapsulated in powerful one-liners like "As you think, so shall you be," became Gabrielle's guiding mantras. Inspired by this, she envisioned herself as an author and speaker, and with unwavering faith, she trusted the Universe to support her dreams.

Gabrielle's certainty and peace of mind paid off. In 2009, she signed her first book deal for "Add More Ing to Your Life". She sent a copy to Wayne Dyer, not expecting a response. To her surprise, he replied with a handwritten note, encouraging her to continue her journey. Later, at a Hay House event, Wayne publicly acknowledged her, predicting her future success as a speaker. This moment was beyond her wildest dreams.

Over the years, Gabrielle's visions of being an author and spiritual teacher materialized. By 2014, she stood on the same stage where Wayne had spoken, fulfilling his prophecy. This journey taught her the power of certainty and faith. As the book "A Course in Miracles" puts it, "Those who are certain of the outcome can afford to wait and wait without anxiety."

Certainty allowed Gabrielle to navigate an uncertain world with inner peace. It freed her from fear and empowered her to trust in the Universe. She discovered that when people align with love and release fear, miracles happen. This practice of faith and certainty became a daily commitment for her, bringing immense joy and fulfillment.

Through prayer and meditation, Gabrielle strengthened her connection with the Universe, allowing love to flow through her. This transformation guided her to serve others. She encourages her audience to embrace their own spiritual journeys, free from fear and doubt.

Wayne Dyer's Prophecy: From Sober Recovery to Spiritual Success

Six months into writing her book, Gabrielle felt like a fraud. Despite practicing the principles she was writing about, her habit of judgment was blocking her connection to the Universe, leaving her feeling disconnected and even causing physical pain. Judgment, as she came to understand, was a projection of her own insecurities, quietly draining her happiness and reinforcing a sense of separation from others.

One evening at a dinner party, Gabrielle found herself annoyed by a woman dominating the conversation. Later, she discovered that the woman was also a recovering alcoholic, just like her. This realization dissolved the perceived separation, and Gabrielle saw her own need for approval reflected in the woman. This experience taught her a profound lesson: judgment is often a reflection of what we judge in ourselves. By releasing judgment, she cleared space for more love, which led to unexpected opportunities and deeper connections.

Gabrielle developed a four-step process to release judgment: be willing to release it, forgive the thought, see others with fresh eyes, and practice a meditation for oneness. This process transformed tense moments for her—such as a frustrating airport delay—into opportunities for connection and compassion.

At a spiritual retreat with Deepak Chopra, Gabrielle struggled with an exercise asking, "Who are you?" and "What do you want?" Her superficial answers left her feeling inadequate until a meditation reminded her of her true nature: oneness with the Universe. Deepak’s advice to "do whatever it takes to get closer to consciousness" became a guiding principle in her journey.

Humility, Gabrielle realized, is crucial on this path. When she was excluded from an event, she initially felt hurt and defensive. But she came to see that her sense of "specialness" was blocking her connection to love. Embracing humility brought her closer to her true purpose: to be love and to spread love.

Through the practice of releasing judgment and embracing humility, Gabrielle learned to return to her true nature, fostering peace and connection. This path, she noted, requires consistent devotion to prayer and meditation, which help align us with the love of the Universe and bring joy to our spiritual practice. For Gabrielle, each step along this journey brought her closer to her true self and the ever-present support of the Universe.

Can Deepak Chopra's Teachings Help You Overcome Self-Judgment?

Just as Gabrielle began writing this book, she and her husband decided to start trying to conceive. Gabrielle had meticulously planned to get pregnant quickly, cut back on travel, and enjoy her pregnancy while writing. 

However, month after month, she didn’t get pregnant. Her obsession with timing and control overshadowed her faith and blocked her communication with the Universe. Nine months into this struggle, surrounded by friends with children, Gabrielle felt defeated. After a conversation with her friend Jordan, she realized that her fear and need for control were blocking love. She prayed for help and heard an inner voice say, “Your plans are in the way of God’s plan.” From this, Gabrielle learned that clinging to rigid plans only blocks the flow of the Universe.

Surrender, she discovered, is key. When we let go of control, we allow the Universe to guide us. Gabrielle observed that trying to control financial or romantic situations often backfires, while surrendering opens the path for true abundance and love. This realization helped her shift her focus from obsessing over pregnancy to appreciating the love and health she already had.

To practice surrender, Gabrielle followed these steps:  
1. Pray and release control to the Universe.  
2. Embrace the present moment as a miracle.  
3. Surrender goals and let faith lead.  
4. Use a symbolic act, like placing desires in a "God box," to let go.  

Additionally, Gabrielle learned to combat fear and anger with love. For example, her initial reaction to gun violence was anger, but her husband reminded her to approach the issue with love. This shift in perspective empowered her to become a spiritual activist, spreading love to combat fear and darkness.

Gabrielle believes that embracing love over fear can transform both individual lives and the world. She points to Oprah Winfrey’s series "Belief" as a testament to the power of universal love. By asking how we can be of service, we open ourselves to the transformative power of love.

As Gabrielle celebrates 10 years of sobriety, she reflects on her journey from fear to light. Her transformation demonstrates that choosing love and letting the Universe guide us leads to profound change. The path to living a miraculous life is through surrender, love, and spreading light.

Oprah's 'Belief' and the Journey to Surrender

At 16, Gabrielle Bernstein was engulfed by depression, until her mother introduced her to the mantra "So Ham," translating to "I am One with the Universe." Meditation brought Gabrielle solace, yet life's distractions led her astray into addiction. Rediscovering her mantra, she found the Universe's love again, realizing that fear signals self-reliance while love invites higher guidance.

Gabrielle’s friend Carla, stressed and ambitious, hit rock bottom but transformed her life through spiritual reawakening. She learned success is an inward journey, much like Gabrielle. They both discovered that shifting internal narratives from fear to love invites empowerment.

Old fears resurfaced for Gabrielle over a party invitation misunderstanding. Prayer revealed the oversight, illustrating how fear distorts reality. Embracing love aligns us with universal energy, inviting synchronicity and miracles.

Consider Lance, who faced his fears and healed past wounds, illustrating spiritual assignments as opportunities for growth. Gabrielle advises recognizing uncomfortable situations as divine assignments for healing, urging us to trust in the Universe's guidance.

Gabrielle’s journey included miraculous moments, like finding a dream home after surrendering to the Universe's plan. Similarly, Wayne Dyer's wisdom inspired her career transformation, teaching her the power of certainty and faith.

Judgment, Gabrielle discovered, was a projection of insecurities. By releasing it, she fostered deeper connections and embraced humility, learning to return to her true nature of love.

Her struggle with conception taught Gabrielle the futility of rigid plans, revealing surrender as key. Practicing love over fear transformed her life, and she became a spiritual activist, spreading light amidst darkness.

Gabrielle's journey from fear to light exemplifies the power of choosing love and embracing the Universe's guidance, leading to profound transformation. Through surrender and spreading love, we align with miracles, transforming our lives and the world around us.

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The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith

Gabrielle Bernstein

7 Key ideas

19 MINS

4.6 (2.1k)

Ever wondered how to combat fear and addiction, and find your true purpose?

How has meditation and spiritual practice transformed lives?

What is the power of surrender and letting go of control?

Dive into this compelling journey from depression to enlightenment, guided by the Universe, and discover your own path to love, joy, and fulfillment.