In a world overflowing with self-help books about absolutely nothing, my dear friend Gabrielle Bernstein’s new book Spirit Junkie is a cool drink of mint iced tea on a blazing September day.  Like a Band-aid on a wound, balm on the soul, and a breath of fresh air (I’ll cut it out already with the clichés now), Spirit Junkie: A Radical Road to Self-Love and Miracles is about something that really matters.

If you’re a patient of mine, if you’ve been reading my blog, if you’re a student of the Get Out Of Your Own Way e-course, or if you read The Daily Flame, you’ve probably heard me frequently referencing your “Inner Pilot Light.” But someone who doesn’t know me well asked me flat out the other day, “Lissa, what’s an Inner Pilot Light?” And I realized I’d never really written a post about something that has become part of my everyday vernacular. So if you’ve ever been curious and you’d like to know more about this vital part of every single one of us, this post is for you.

We have not been able to stop talking about The Wall Street Journal essay by Amy Chua, Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior -- an excerpt from her recently published book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother (Penguin Press 2011). "Can a regimen of no playdates, no TV, no computer games and hours of music practice create happy kids? And what happens when they fight back?" Check out Suzzane's fabulous post on the topic as well, and join the conversation!

Lissa -- At what price?

When I read Amy Chua’s article, my blood started to boil. Now given, my five year-old daughter goes to a Waldorf school, which is arguably the diametrically opposed opposite of growing up with a Chinese mother, so I'm probably not her target audience. Kids in my daughter's school are nurtured, hugged, coddled even. But they also love school and work hard to earn the faith, love and trust they are given unconditionally by their teachers and their parents. Will the Waldorf method work for my child? I don't know. I know a lot of Western kids grow up entitled, spoiled, lazy, fat, and unfocused. And I know Chinese kids tend to be better at math, science, and music. But at what price?

Relationships are a fascinating and massively influential part of most people’s lives. We seem to have an innate need to relate to one another and to experience depth and love with each other - or our lives will feel dry and stale.

Unfortunately, it seems that a large percentage of relationships are NOT bringing satisfaction and joy. In fact, a lot of the time relationships are a source of irritation, frustration, loneliness, boredom, lack of harmony, instead of being joyful and nourishing. It inspires a craving for something else, something deeper. Is it at all surprising that there are so many divorces and affairs happening right now? We need this depth so much that even some of the most honest and integritous people will find themselves looking elsewhere if these deep needs are not met.