Journal of College and Character

ISSN: 2194-587X (Print) 1940-1639 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ujcc20

There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem

James F Conneely

To cite this article: James F Conneely (2006) There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem,
Journal of College and Character, 7:3, , DOI: 10.2202/1940-1639.1528

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.2202/1940-1639.1528

© 2006 The Authors

Published online: 01 Apr 2006.

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Journal of College & Character VOLUME VII, NO. 3, April 2006

What They’re Reading

There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem
Review by James F. Conneely, Eastern Kentucky University1
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Wayne W. Dyer. HarperCollins Publishers, New York, N.Y. 2001. $24.00 xi + 261 pp.
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I n the book There's A Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, Wayne W. Dyer asserts that there is
a spiritual force, right at our fingertips, that contains solutions to problems from ill health to
financial worries to relationship difficulties. In brief, this book is about self-awareness and
tapping the healing energy within all of us. Dyer once said, “Thinking is the source of problems.
Your heart holds the answer to solving them.”
The first part of the book provides the essential foundation for spiritual problem solving. In
these chapters, Dyer shares the words of a Yogi mystic whose teachings and practices affected his
belief that a spiritual force is everywhere. The second half provides specific suggestions for
implementing spiritual problem solving into practice based upon the prayer of Saint Francis of
Assisi. St. Francis's legacy is one of love, harmony, and service and the last seven chapters of the
book begin with a line from this prayer followed by suggestions of ways to apply the teaching to
everyday problems. According to Dyer, we should put our collective energies into what we are
for rather than what we are against. Each of the last seven chapters begins with a line from this
prayer. Dyer then provides suggestions to apply the teaching to everyday problems. Suggestions
include affirmations, writing exercises, guided meditations, and other strategies for putting St.
Francis's words and wisdom into practice.
In his book, Dyer stresses ten specific points that allow an individual to apply spiritual
solutions to solving every problem. He discusses “energy” and believes that all aspects of life
involve energy, although at times the energy operates at different frequencies. The slower
frequencies appear more solid and obstructing, permitting our problems to show up causing stress
and uncertainty. The faster frequencies such as light and thought are less visible, and this is what
he describes as “spiritual.” When the highest and fastest frequencies of spirit are brought to the
attention of the lower/slower frequencies, they counteract those things we describe as problems.
He believes that an individual has the ability and power to access, at will, the higher and faster
frequencies, allowing one to eradicate any problem in one’s life.
Dyer provides basic foundations and principles that are needed in order to understand and
practice accessing the higher frequencies to develop “spiritual problem solving” skills. He
believes that an individual has the ultimate choice to align oneself with a higher energy field, but
only after understanding and coming to know the world of spirituality. Through this process, one
will see clearly that all problems are viewed illusions and that these illusions are nothing more
than mistakes in our thinking. Problems become solvable when confronted with the truth. Like
every error, they are weakened whey they are confronted with the truth, leading to a sense of
solace and inner peace.
At times, the book appears repetitive, but that is intentional as the author strives to reinforce
the concepts surrounding his main thesis.

James F. Conneely is Vice President for Student Affairs at Eastern Kentucky University.

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