Today is the perfect day for my first post because it is my father’s birthday, the founder of Attitudinal Healing. At the onset, let me say that I am most moved by simple writings from the heart that reach the human spirit’s depths. It is this that I strive to do in my blog posts. I think this would make Dad smile on his birthday.

There is much to be read about Attitudinal Healing, most of it excellent in conveying the Twelve Principals that comprise the foundation. As I add posts to this blog, I’ll do my best to be aware of what my father knew well; spoken and written words can communicate important teachings but what is most important is the experience of love beyond all words.

Of course, we use words in Attitudinal Healing, but when you attend an Attitudinal Healing group, you quickly find yourself and others going beyond words to experience love. Here we learn to listen in new ways and not empower the fearful beliefs that make the world appear dangerous, full of pain, sickness, and today more than ever, beyond hope.

Attitudinal Healing is a way to find peace given us to discover together. You are reading this because something brought you to Attitudinal Healing; it may have been a dream holding possibilities or just a hunch that there is a better way, one of truth that makes peace no longer feel impossible or far off. Put more simply, as our friend and author Hugh Prather said, you are here because you know there must be a better way to go through life than being dragged kicking and screaming. Though I may not know you personally or the exact reason you are reading my words at this moment, I know there is a high probability that Attitudinal Healing has or will change your life and help you live and love graciously.

Let’s join in recognizing that now, more than ever, the world needs the wisdom of Attitudinal Healing. There is much suffering and fear in the world, and through the Principles of Attitudinal Healing, we can humbly be the bringers of gentleness, understanding, and kindness. Whatever troubles you, be confident that there is likely an answer within the Twelve Principles, a new direction. Over time, you will become increasingly certain, not because of words but your experiences. My father lived this; he was a master at bringing complex psychological and spiritual studies to a level of profound simplicity and experience.

Attitudinal Healing has touched the hearts of dying children and adults, eased the pain of citizens ravaged by war, redirected Fortune 500 companies, captured the attention of world leaders, assisted medical experts in major universities, been welcomed by Nobel Peace laureates, and yet most people have still not heard of Attitudinal Healing. This, in part, is because there is nothing commercial about it. Instead, it is quiet wisdom for those who want it. But unfortunately, in the high-tech information age, such basic knowledge can quickly go unnoticed.

I intend in my posts to present clear and concise ways—that you can begin right now—to begin living a happier and more meaningful life. I hope to assist you in learning to feel more peaceful and be more productive by replacing the automatic ways you react from fear with new perceptions of yourself and the world.

A primary teaching of Attitudinal Healing is: Nothing needs to change in your life situation or the world for you to have peace of mind. At first, such a notion may seem implausible. This idea is foreign to the typical way of thinking, which states, “If you’re unhappy, change something in your life. Change jobs, buy something new, find a different relationship.”

It is easy to become sidetracked and stressed by a multitude of little tasks and problems, and to lose sight of what really matters. In this increasingly complicated world, what is needed is to remind yourself of what is most precious. This blog offers practical and straightforward ways to find purpose and happiness by approaching life with a different attitude.

Have you noticed that the changes you make in your life are often only short-term fixes? Do stress and conflict soon creep back in regardless of how you modify your life? Changing life circumstances without addressing your thinking is like painting over rust: It will look great for a while, but eventually, the old rust will slowly break through the new paint. By addressing your attitudes, nothing more and nothing less, whatever changes you make will contribute to your lasting happiness rather than lead to another disappointment or failure.

Attitudinal Healing is a way of having happiness without having to change your social status, religion, spouse, or the amount in your bank account. Instead, Attitudinal Healing is a way to go through your day responding to life’s challenges with peace of mind rather than with fear, anger, and guilt. It has helped thousands of people and I hope my posts can assist you.

My father, Dr. Gerald Jampolsky, as a means of helping children and their families suffering from catastrophic illness, originally developed Attitudinal Healing in the seventies.  I began working with these ideas in 1977 while in graduate school, and they continue to guide and improve my life. I have also seen the principles help transform the lives of people from diverse backgrounds, ­ cultures, and religions.

This blog is focused on each of the twelve principles of Attitudinal Healing. You need to follow no order as each post will state a principle and offer an application to help apply the principles to daily living. I edited some of the posts from one of my previous books, Smile for No Good Reason. I hope the short posts will resonate with something deep within you.

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Principle One: The essence of our being is love.

Lesson: Whatever the problem, love is in the solution.

Life can appear to be an endless series of problems to be solved—some big, some small, some insurmountable—all calling for a different solution. You may even be facing some right now.

Attitudinal Healing offers another way of looking at problems (and the world) by focusing on the one solution to all your challenges: Your attitude in solving any problem is far more important than the particular action you might take. When you approach a perceived problem with a defensive or angry attitude, even if you arrive at the desired solution, you will not have peace of mind. What good does it do you to solve problems if you never find happiness?

If you are compassionate in your approach to all tasks in life, believing that all “problems” contain valuable lessons, you will find peace of mind. Instead of being a constant “problem solver” become a “love giver.” This one shift can change your life.

Life is not as complicated as you have made it with your endless list of problems. Attitudinal Healing is based on three simple truths:

1. There are really only two emotions: love and fear.
2. There is really only one problem: the belief that you are separate and alone in a cruel and harsh world.
3. There is really only one solution: discovering that the essence of your being is love.

When your mind is fearful, which it can easily become accustomed to being, you hold on to guilt and resentments from the past, and anticipate problems in the future. This creates a life where, even though you may accomplish a good deal, consistent happiness is impossible. It is important to see that your guilt and resentments are causing you pain and limiting your growth, success, and happiness. Only by seeing the effects of guilt will you be willing to see the alternative.

Whatever the problem, love is the solution. You may be saying, “Well, my problem is that my mortgage is late. How is love going to pay it?” Or, “My problem is that I just got fired from my job. How is love going to be the solution?” Or, “I am alone and want a relationship. Whom do I have to love?” Or, “Don’t be naïve, we are in the middle of a global crisis, we need more than love has to offer.”

When these types of situations happen in your life, you can become very narrow in your thinking. All of your energy goes into the crisis at hand, and peace of mind escapes you. In approaching any problem or upset that you have there are two truths that will help you direct your life toward happiness. These may not necessarily put money in the bank, have your boss rehire you, deliver your soul mate to your door, or change conflict in the world, but they will put peace in your mind. Then, regardless of the situation, you will find a more graceful and effective path.

The two truths that will direct your mind toward peace and give you the ability to get the most out of all situations are:

1. I can choose to be peaceful no matter what is happening.
2. Life’s problems have nothing to do with my true identity. The essence of my being is love.

Reminding yourself of these truths on a regular basis throughout the day will be a beginning in taking charge of your thinking, and thus your life. Practicing them when confronting a challenging life situation will make you immune to the ups and downs of the world.

Knowing your peace of mind is up to you,

not the world,

is the most powerful and secure state of mind

you can achieve.