What inspired you to write The Power and Freedom of the Human Spirit?
Earle Josiah: I was inspired by love in my quest to interpret universal truths and seek solutions to life’s fundamental problems. My book offers guidance on how to overcome the imperfection of being, acquire a functional understanding of nature’s laws and master the conditions of life. Easy-to-follow exercises dealing with affirmations and other techniques explain how to use the awesome spirit power that manifests through the mind to create opportunities, acquire things, attract the right circumstances and accomplish all kinds of results. Affirmations are highly effective and can be put into effect by utilizing spirit energy to generate thoughts and crystallize mental images. You should never underestimate the value of affirmations as a formula in helping you to mental development, success and personal power.

As described in your book, an active spirit is essential to be successful and to feel driven. For those who feel their spirit energy is very low what would you suggest they should do?
Earle Josiah: If you want to remain strong and active in spirit, you must take necessary steps such as developing willpower, adopting good habits, building self confidence, establishing a powerful outlook and always trying to seize the initiative or momentum in life. When you reinforce your will, for example, you automatically develop your human powers enabling them to operate more effectively.

You should also seek to develop the mind and expand consciousness through meditation, concentration, visualization, contemplation, mental suggestion and other processes to be able to grasp nature’s truths and discover the hidden secrets and realities of life. This would enable you to use the forces of nature in ways that would bring the greatest rewards. One of the many benefits of meditation is that you can use the creative and attractive powers of your spirit to bring about the things you desire. And when you concentrate, your spirit energy can be converted into a creative and attractive force in your consciousness. Mental suggestion is another way of using our dynamic spirit energy to work for our benefit. This is possible because the subconscious mind accepts suggestions aimed at improving a person’s well-being.

Have you ever felt low in spirit and what did you do to change this?
Earle Josiah: To rekindle my spirit energy when it is weakened or inhibited by stress, for example, I immediately practice exercises in my book to develop my mind and powers of thinking. Positive or effective thinking powerfully influence the level of spirit energy we exude. This is true because thoughts operate as electric currents and transmit the energy that charges our bodies with electrical vitality. Our bodies are filled with spirit power which can be increased through regular use and exercise. And these powers are easy to develop and simple to use.

How did you become interested in the human spirit?
Earle Josiah: I became interested in the human spirit after several mystical experiences. I eventually forsook a law practice and abandoned a successful career as a journalist with the Associated Press to embark on a spiritual journey examining the nature of reality and seeking the highest good in life. My extensive research and spiritual pursuit involved regular and prolonged periods of meditation during which I sought and experienced Universal Love. That spiritual awakening resulted in increased awareness, elevation of consciousness and a higher conception of life.

How have your experiences helped you to write this book?
Earle Josiah: When I accepted the universal principle of love, I experienced a natural union with fellow human beings and this inspired me to write this book. My consciousness was lifted to a higher level of understanding of the unity of mankind and the oneness of human nature. I embraced the moral and spiritual values that are needed to purify our souls and transform our nature. Universal love is an expression of the divine essence. It enlivens the spirit and purifies the soul. It is a powerful force which can transform human conduct until it is brought into harmony with the laws of nature.

In your book you describe the relationship between soul and spirit. Would it be true to say that the soul always stays the same but the spirit of a person can change?
Earle Josiah: Spirit and soul contribute to two different aspects of life. Spirit is the supreme driving force of human nature. The soul represents the characteristic function which pre-eminently constitutes our humanity and is the universal essence of life. It is a great vibratory force attuned with the spirit essence in all humans. The human soul is that intrinsic life force which keeps us alive. It gives life to the body. Spirit, on the other hand, gives power to the soul. The spirit energy in the human body provides the raw material with which the soul works. It also provides us with the will to live.

The human soul is an indivisible, substantial principle, and spiritual in its nature. Although the soul belongs to the body, it is not dependent of the body nor is it in itself anything of the nature of the body. It subsists in itself and does not need the body for its continued existence after death or transition. The soul can exist independently of the body, but the body without the soul passes into a lifeless corpse. The soul transcends the body and is higher in substance and energy.

What do you hope readers will understand and learn from your book?
Earle Josiah: I would recommend that readers try to develop greater awareness of the forces of nature by expanding their consciousness and intellectual capacity through mental and spiritual development. It is impossible to embrace the realities of life unless you elevate your consciousness. Enhancement of consciousness results in a greater sensitivity to the realities of nature and a better understanding of one’s own existence. There is far more to life than we perceive with our normal senses. These senses cannot comprehend the more subtle realities of nature. They are incapable of transmitting all things in the universe.

Readers should practice daily the various exercises in my book dealing with meditation, concentration, visualization, mental suggestion, affirmations and crystallization of thought. My advice is to maintain a positive attitude to realize the full potential of spirit energy. This would make it possible to scale the limitations that surround you and improve your life.

How do you ensure your spirit is energized and active?
Earle Josiah: I ensure that my spirit remains energized and active through positive and effective thinking, and by embracing the principles of goodness and love. Also, my thinking, actions, and behaviour always follow universal cosmic principles. One of the rules of our existence is that our vision of life and general behaviour must be guided by love and be in harmony with the principles of nature. My message is that we must be guided by reason and love to attain the perfection of our characters and realise the full fruition of our human nature. Love enables us to rid ourselves of destructive emotions that impede the human spirit. When we develop our capacity to love it becomes possible for us to enlarge our lives, achieve happiness and fulfil ourselves as human beings. This message is also covered in my earlier book, Expand Your Capacity to Love: A Guide to making Correct Choices and Right Decisions.