1. What does the word Love mean to you?

Love is who we are. Love is the very fabric of the universe. It is an all-pervasive energy that flows through and connects everything, which is why I define love as oneness. When we align ourselves with this Infinite Being or Divine Consciousness, it is felt as love and oneness. Primary expressions of love include compassion, empathy, gratitude, joy, peace, and harmony with all of creation.

2. Have you ever felt like love was missing from your life? (How do you handle these periods of time?)

I often feel like love is missing from my life. Stress is a natural response to living in the physical and having to adapt to change. I define stress as anything in opposition to love or oneness. While love and oneness are our core nature, living in a world of duality means that invariably we will be exposed to fear and other “negative” emotions and feelings. When I find myself feeling fearful, angry, frustrated, or depressed, I sit down as soon as possible to get in touch with these feelings. I treat myself like I would a best friend – no judgment, criticism or trying to change how I’m feeling. I tell myself that I accept and love myself just the way I am. I let that part of me know that it is completely safe and loved. I call in spiritual assistance as necessary. Another approach is to remind myself that negative feelings don’t exist in the spiritual dimension, our true home. So, sometimes I welcome them, and say, for example “So that’s what depression feels like. Thank you for helping me to understand love more fully.” I remind myself who I really am: God or Divine Consciousness manifesting in form. This can all take real discipline for me.

3. What is the biggest way you see that love (or the lack thereof) has impacted our world today?

Love (or the lack of it) impacts everything always. When we live in harmony with love, everything goes better. It allows for a greater flow of the life force or quantum energy that supports all of life. I see a great deal of fear, greed, and confusion in the world today. And we are seeing the consequences of this great misalignment of not living together in harmony with respect for all of life. However, I also see a much greater swelling of Christ consciousness that will necessarily bring life into greater balance. It has long intrigued me that business is prone to follow a model of “Invest the least amount possible for the greatest gain.” It is so blatantly opposed to a model of love, which is, “Give the greatest amount possible, without any thought of return.” Something’s got to give. I recommend you invest in love.

4. What is the last extraordinary book you read and what impact did it have on you?

Ask and It is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. It is simply the Bible of how to use your thoughts and feelings to make all of your dreams come true. Ester and Jerry (and Abraham) speak eloquently, clearly, and forcefully about the law of attraction, and that there is nothing you cannot have or do.

5. From your perspective, what is the most practical way to bringing more love into the world?

The most practical way to bring more love into the world is to do what brings you the greatest joy and meaning in your life. Joy is a vibration that touches the soul, and is necessary to hold the vibration of love. I believe life is truly meant to be joyful. Joy connects us with the spirit realm, and is a resonant energy that creates and attracts more love in the world. We know through quantum physics that consciousness literally creates. Energy follows your thoughts and feelings. Follow your bliss. Through the knowledge and experience of joy is the attachment to love and the vibrations of the universal consciousness. When we experience joy we’re resonating with Divine Consciousness, which allows for a greater flow of the Life Force energy, which is an energy of love.

Of course, meditation is another practical way to access Divine Consciousness. When we’re in a deep meditative state, that experience of love and oneness is a frequency or vibration that is sent out into the world. It functions to realign any existing dissonance, and creates a natural state of harmony, order, and love.

6. Is there a connection between love and inspiration? Who in your lifetime has inspired you the most?

Love and inspiration are intimately connected. Our fundamental nature is love. And thoughts and feelings literally create form. As you experience love, you naturally are more open to inspirational ideas from your soul, spirit guides, and Divine Consciousness.

I have been inspired most in my life by my friend and mentor, Ken McCaulley. He was a genuine seeker of truth. I was fortunate to work and study with him for many years before his death in 1999. Now he continues to inspire me daily as my spirit guide.

7. How do you incorporate love into your business or professional life?

My great friend, Ken McCaulley, had been psychic all of his life. Soon after we met and began working together, he began to channel a remarkable spiritual wisdom that I conversed with daily for seven years, beginning in 1977. I had not really given much thought to a spiritual side of life prior to this. However, I soon realized that life is all about living love in every aspect of our life.

Since I define love as oneness and aligning oneself with qualities that are characteristic of love, I try to be aware of when I’m out of alignment – feeling stressed, frustrated, impatient, etc. I’m self-employed with a home office, so I incorporate this attentiveness throughout my day since I’m involved with writing, speaking interviews, and marketing all day long. I know that my emotional state dramatically affects all aspects of my work and relationships. Sometimes I have to work hard at not being critical and judgmental, and to trust and allow my life plan/soul script to unfold. It definitely helps if I take breaks through the day to recharge and refocus. Almost all of my business and professional life is now devoted to teaching and writing about love and how to apply it in our daily lives.

Your Vision: What intrigues you the most about where the world is headed today?

What intrigues me most about where the world is headed today is knowing that there is great spiritual assistance at this time to help us return to a greater spiritual consciousness, and less greed and materiality in the world. Civilization will become more harmonious. People will realize more clearly and fully their connection to Spirit, and what it means to love oneself. This won’t happen in my lifetime, but I can’t wait until there is no longer a stock market, and people and humanity will be valued over profits. Arbitrary borders between countries will disappear. All people and cultures will be respected for their unique qualities and contributions. I honestly have a vision of justice and freedom for all. And, of course, because consciousness creates, I encourage everyone to hold this vision.

Dr. Dean Shrock is the author of the book Why Love Heals. To learn more about Why Love Heals, visit http://whyloveheals.com/