Oprah and Gary Zukav, author of The Seat of the Soul, tackle some of life's biggest questions: What is the soul? What is Gary's definition of God? Find out now.

Over the years, Gary Zukav appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show more than 34 times helping viewers learn how to find more meaning and purpose in life. His book, Seat of the Soul, also remains a constant on Oprah's nightstand. Now, Gary and Oprah have come together for a conversation under the oaks of her California home to discuss a concept that continues to resonate with Oprah—authentic power.


Authentic power is when the personality comes fully to serve the energy of the soul. Watch the video above to hear Gary explain to Oprah what this means and why choosing love is at the heart of realizing your potential.



Gary and Oprah also discuss intention—the principle Oprah says rules every part her life. Watch the video above to find out why Gary says intention is at the heart of owning your authentic power.



The path to authentic power may not always be easy, but it is possible. Watch as Gary explains three ways everyone can tap into his or her own authentic power.

Learn more about Gary's Seat of the Soul Institute at SeatoftheSoul.com

Is a spiritual partnership the same as a marriage? It could be, but usually it is not. First things first: A marriage is between two people who promise each other to stay together no matter WHAT happens. This can be a very comforting thing, and it can also be a license for either of them to abuse, disregard or disrespect the other. Some marriages can continue a long time this way. Perhaps you have seen one. A spiritual partnership is between people who promise themselves to use all of their experiences to grow spiritually. They use their emotions to show them how to create constructive and healthy and joyful consequences instead of destructive and unhealthy and painful consequences. Can you imagine using a horrible, painful, can't-get-any-worse experience to grow spiritually? Those are among the best kind. Spiritual partners don't squander them by exploding in rage or dissolving into depression. Any number of people form a spiritual partnership: two people in a live-together, have-children-together, monogamous relationship; six people in a family; or co-workers who want to use their relationships to do more than complain, compete, gossip and judge. Of course, co-workers can appreciate one another, be grateful for one another and cooperate with one another, but when they set their intentions to do that all the time, they are already experimenting with a spiritual partnership.

Get ready to tap into your real power! Today, best-selling author Gary Zukav is sharing his recipe for creating authentic power in your life. Get the ingredients he says you need to harness your inner strength in this excerpt from his book, Soul Stories. Then, this Sunday, watch an encore of Oprah's interview with Gary.

"There are many types of bread," Tony said with a flourish of his index finger, giving it a little spin and pointing upward. "Today we will learn how to bake the most basic kind, but, of course, bake it to perfection." He stood behind his counter in the studio. Cameras moved in and out to catch his every motion and smile. "There is only one way to bake bread,'' he continued with a grin. "First, you must want to do it. Second, you must have flour, water, yeast and salt."

So began another of Tony's delightful cooking courses. Across the city, novice and expert cooks alike took notes or stood in their own kitchens, following Tony step by step.

"First, mix the yeast, flour and water, like this." He demonstrated, roughly measuring each ingredient and stirring it in with a wooden spoon. "Then put the dough on a countertop, like this, and begin sprinkling in more flour," he said. "Knead the dough as you do, using your hands and arms as well as your fingers, like this." His body rocked rhythmically back and forth as he lovingly kneaded the lump of dough, which was growing softer and more malleable.

"Don't forget to add a little salt and maybe a little sugar," he continued. "So much of baking is personal taste. Experiment. Let yourself be guided. It's your bread you're baking."

Creating authentic power is like baking bread. First, you have to want to do it. Then you need to follow the recipe. If you do these things, you'll have lots of opportunities to experiment and be guided by your inner promptings. As with bread, it's your own loaf that you are baking. Unlike bread, no one else can bake it for you.

The recipe for authentic power is as simple as the recipe for bread.

Get Gary's 4 steps to a more meaningful life