The Path of Least Resistance: Learning to Become the Creative Force in Your Own Life

I just finished The Path of Least Resistance and it took me about a month to read it. My own life experience as a creator tells me that all of the ideas found in this book are 100% valid - but the idea of structural tension that the author uses as the basis of creating is somewhat abstract and it takes a while to wrap your head around it. I think this is because his language is that of a musician, and a composer, and the way he uses some of the general terms of creation are rooted in a musical understanding. Without this shared understanding, I found myself rereading many passages to see which terms and words were derailing my understanding of his arguments - and kind of piecing the arguments together in my head more slowly than I am used to doing.In some ways, I actually wish I had read the book from the back to the front, because I much more easily understood all of his concepts once I got to the second half of the book - and the last chapter in general locked in everything for me. This was an unusual book in that regard. I've read the other reviews that felt his writing was stiff and such, and maybe it pertains to some of what I've described above.Analyzing this book from my understanding of the Law of Attraction was the best way I could pull all of his arguments together in one cohesive workable framework. In Law of Attraction terms every thought, belief, or structure of thoughts and beliefs produces either the vibration of "the having of something" or the "not having."Fritz describes two creative structures in his book. The first is the "destructive" reactive/responsive. The second is the Creators structure. In Law of Attraction terms the way Fritz describes reactive/responsive thought structures - these are built around a focus on "not having" the producing of a stream of results that creates "not having" experiences...and a path of least resistance that always leads to more of the same. The second structure, the Creators structure, is built on "the having" of something. Living your life within this structure you are BEING "the having" and your life leads you reliably to "having" experiences, thoughts, people, events, etc.What is unique about Fritz's material is his analysis of the structure of the lives lived by people who focus on "not having". This analysis of "reactive/responsive" modes of living is a very good mirror to hold up to your life to understand what the structure of your life actually is.The book is weak on examples which bring both structures and their results to life. This is surprising, given that the author has built a business around teaching this material...and has probably had 1000s of interactions and examples to draw upon. On the other hand, Fritz is a conceptual thinker - and much more at home with the idea framework than the people aspect, that seems pretty clear to me.The how-to portion of this book is remarkably short and I won't give it away, as this would be a disservice to the author. But in and of itself, I found the how-to core of the book to be a very elegant structure that is easy to use and apply. Interestingly, on one level, this is a book that inspires faith in the universe and teaches you how to use it moment by moment. I believe this is its atonishing contribution to the literature of creation.The structure of "the creator" ultimately relies on allowing Source Energy to contribute it's part to the creative process. This is not only 100% consistant with The Law of Attraction information, but it is easily proved in everyday living. The author's techniques for using it are quite elegant, but they may not work for everyone - especially people who are unaware of their emotional reality. He does specifically cover this in his book. But either he has a blind spot in his thinking - or is not willing to reveal his techniques for "accurately assessing where you are" or is unaware of how he intuitively does this for himself and others. So if you are a grounded person who understands the emotional content of your own thoughts and can see reality clearly - this book is worth reading and can be effective for you.But if you constantly find yourself swinging on an emotional roller coaster and experiencing emotions like anger, despair, revenge, pessimism, doubt and complete lack of faith - you'd be better off reading the Astonishing Power of Emotions first.  The Astonishing Power of Emotions: Let Your Feelings Be Your Guide and understanding this component of creation before you dig into this book.Another way of saying this is: Had I not spent the last year immersed in the Law of Attraction information I would have been fascinated by this book, but I would have been unable to use the how-to portion of it successfully. But with this as background - I could get and use the author's information and deeply appreciate it.Having said all of that - I just purchased Fritz's book, Creating, to continue learning what this author has to offer. The Law of Attraction info is more accessible to me - but I don't mind doing the pick and shovel work to dig out the gems in this author's work.  Creating: A practical guide to the creative process and how to use it to create anything - a work of art, a relationship, a career or a better life.

The Path of Least Resistance is an awesome piece of work. It's a "manual" that belongs to the product of YOU the instant you learn how to read.We do exist to create, you know. In one of his books, inspirational author Alan Cohen has a chapter named: Create or Die.If you think this is just a specifically focused book of techniques for artists on ways of being "creative", such as brainstorming and doesn't apply to your life as a bus driver, or a waitress, or a doctor, you're wrong. We ALL create, everything from good relationships, to successful meeting outcomes, to careers, and yes... music and paintings and inventions and sculptures and books. As a matter of fact, Fritz eschews the notion of brainstorming and you'll see why in this book.Basically, the first thought that'll crowd your mind as you complete the first chapter and then the second chatper, is that you have to read this repeatedly, because you want to soak these very profound, life-changing ideas into your psyche. It was hard for me to concentrate on the rest of the book during my first reading, because I was so excited about the implications of my expected change in thinking, and how I would tell others. What you'll learn is that being a reacter to problems doesn't result in peace of mind or success long-term. There are actual laws that he cites which explain the Structure of Tension which causes you to let go of all struggle and be powerfully pullled toward completion of ANYthing you want to accomplish.In this book, he tells when you think of a goal, that you need to separate what your brainwashed mind think what is impossible, from what you reallly want. You'll see that the stress of repeatedly lying to yourself throughout your life about what you want can slowly but surely impact your health even! If you set goals that are based on what your fears tell you that you are limited to, but not what you *really want*, this wears on you physically.Forget what your current environment or conditions tell you. THOSE DON'T MATTER! Just change to another "Structure" which leads to creation, not one that will swing you back and forth between struggles to fixing a problem, then...aaallllllmost getting there, but then the rubber band of the "Reactive" Structure pulls you back toward giving up on your faulty "fix-your-exterior" behaviors.Fritz mentions that he studied Metaphysics in his life, but wasn't much interested in them; however, this topic can't avoided, and you'll see how when you are in the correct Structure of Creating, and you simply make a decision to create something, that this sets powerful acts of force in your favor. Between sessions of actually working on your project, like walking the dog or taking a shower, your subsconscious goes to work and pulls from the collective conscious of Man EXACTLY what you need to create what you decided to create. He includes this in the examples, but not in the way I'm describing it. Don't worry, he doesn't write with the scatter-brained style of this review. You'll get it, and you'll be grateful for his simple four-step guide to CreatingOne more thing: Fritz discounts all self-help techniques such as affirmations or long term therapies. Personally, things like EFT and the Release Technique have been a godsend to my ability to function in interviews lately, and to eliminate strong negative emotions in some encounters.But I see what he's talking about with respect to focusing more on just being the Creative Being that you were meant to be, rather then making your life into one long Saga of long term therapy-seeking and inner-child healing.

Easy to follow. Well laid out.

As an avid reader of psychology and self enlightenment literature, Fritz has created and put forth perhaps the greatest theory on how our mind and the world operates and then some. It’s sad to me that people fail to understand the fundamental truths deep within this book. It is not always an easy read, but that does not mean the book is in itself “bad” or deserving of one star. I challenge those who found it too wordy or complicated to finish, as this I have no doubt will one day find its national audience it so rightfully deserves. As an accomplished academic myself, I cannot overstate the genius that resides in this book. It truly is a masterpiece. I am always so perplexed to find people who never formally study human nature to have such a profound grip upon the truths that reside within our lives. Give the book a read.

Great

Really enjoying this book. Easy to read. Interesting insights into why most of us never achieve our goals and how you can change your thinking. Making changes in our lives is very hard whether it's losing weight, finding the right career or breaking the pattern of failed relationships. Most of us start off with some success but then revert back to how we were. This book tells you why and how you can break the pattern that keeps taking you back.Just what I need right now as I embark on a new life journey. Getting a lot of A-ha moments. Would highly recommend.

Simple put this book tells it how it is in a way that is visually clear and easy to follow. It seems so obvious after reading that when you stand and feel the flow of the potential energy between two desires the choice is truly yours ... We do not stand still, we are always moving towards an idea or an ideal situation but we can become trapped in the oscillation of the response to stay in line or reaction against the stimuli ... Once we realise this limited habit/structure we can choose to place ourselves firmly yet freely in a new line of tension. Accept where we are now and decide on how it is going to be. How it will feel, smell and look when you are there. Build upon your successes and enjoy the ride on the momentum wave machine if your own creation

Over many years I have read dozens of self- help and inspirational books. Many regurgitate ideas that have gone before and some are quite frankly too wacky to take seriously. This book is liberating and at the same time profound. It has credibility and humility. If you know you need a change of direction, or are perhaps floundering in your existing life, then read Robert Fritz book. He explains simply how you can be the architect of your own life while still understanding and working with your current reality. This is a book full of hope and inspiration grounded in reality.

Well, for anyone on a path of self development or if you are trying to understand why you are the way you are...this book will really open your eyes to some things. Many Wow! Aha! moments. Easy enough to read but alot to take in, I will probably read again as soon as I finish.