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

He's the man who's inspired many an aha! moment. Today, "Super Soul Sunday" sends a big "happy birthday" to Gary Zukav!

Want to send Gary a birthday wish yourself, or tell him what you've learned from him? Sign his global birthday card!

P.S. In honor of Gary's birthday, Simon & Schuster is offering 40% off his audio books. Find out more here.

Are you ready to tap into your true authentic power? That's what The Seat of the Soul author Gary Zukav and Oprah are discussing under the oaks this Sunday on "Super Soul Sunday." Before then, read this blog entry from Gary and get ready to tap into your true potential.

Authentic power is the real deal. You can't inherit it, buy it or win it. You also can't lose it. You don't need to build your body, reputation, wealth or charisma to get it. None of that can help you when it comes to creating authentic power. Anyone can become authentically powerful. Even a rockstar or the president of the United States can become authentically powerful, although just being a rockstar or president is no guarantee of authentic power.
 
The only way to become authentically powerful is to create authentic power. You cannot wish, want or command authentic power into your life, although you can try. Wishing, wanting and commanding don't give you any traction when it comes to creating authentic power. Creating authentic power requires commitment, courage and discipline that far exceed those of a professional athlete or accomplished artist. The skills that athletics and art—or any other profession—require are limited in usefulness to athletics, art or the profession. The skills that are required to create authentic power can be used in every circumstance, every situation, with every person. They are (1) the ability to distinguish within yourself the difference between love and fear, and (2) choosing love all the time, no matter what is happening inside you or outside you.

When the pain of anger, guilt, loss, grief, resentment, fear, jealousy or rage stab, throb, ache and tear at you, that is the time to create authentic power by not acting on it. When chaos, dissolution, dysfunction or violence surround you, that is the time to create authentic power by not reacting to it. You decide what you will say and do, not your internal or external circumstances. You choose to be patient when impatience roars through you, to be silent when you want to shout, to listen when you feel compelled to speak. You choose the healthiest intentions and actions you can reach for, no matter what. Like an accomplished athlete or professional, your performances are dazzling, but only you see them. They are not to manipulate or control others, not to vanquish, gain, impress or win the prize. They are to stand on the ground of your own sanity and humanity, no matter what. This is the real deal. Are you interested?


- Gary Zukav

Watch Oprah's one-on-one interview with Gary this Sunday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on "Super Soul Sunday"! Learn more about Gary's Seat of the Soul Institute at SeatoftheSoul.com