Nothing Can Stop You: A Revolutionary Guide to Unleash Your Authentic Self

By Erin Rachel Doppelt

A passionate, true-to-life tale and hands-on guide for self-reflection—journey to discover your authentic self
 
What is your deepest desire and dream? Answering that question means showing up for yourself, and that means committing to your own heroine’s journey.

This is an invitation—and a permission slip—for all people to take up space in this world, become an active participant in their own life, and show up for their most authentic Self. Consciously written, honest, and heartfelt, Nothing Can Stop You shares spiritual psychology and meditation teacher Erin Rachel Doppelt’s search for meaning and self-connection, offering readers a plan for waking up to the many possibilities life presents and the steps to choose their highest possible timeline. Her engaging, entertaining, and often humorous narrative relates how she learned, through trial and error, that there are many false gurus in this world and that the key to limitless happiness is taking time to meet—and trust—your inner guru.

A self-study book that blends Eastern ritual and Western psychology and invites you to bring more happiness practices into your daily life, Nothing Can Stop You shows you how to:

• Manifest your highest soulmate
• Claim a life that fills you up with overflowing gusto and joy
• Overcome decision fatigue and connect to crystalized clarity 
• Reshape your connection to regret, grief, fear, and “what if” scenarios
• Learn to support your inner voice
• Choose actions that uncover and align with your most authentic Self
• Lean into your strengths
• Heal negative thought patterns
• Overcome your limiting beliefs with rituals and ceremonies

 
Nothing Can Stop You is an activator and proves that when we have the right tools and guidance, trust in yourself, and practice self-inquiry, transformation will occur—allowing you to live on your highest timeline. The book offers:

• Meditations, rituals, and frameworks on how to listen to your deepest yearnings and respond to the still, small voice within
• A personal discovery and growth guidebook with reflective pauses and exercises in each chapter
• Practical instructions for finding clarity within by following a set of steps designed to connect readers to their personal legacy energy
• Everything you need to do the thing you truly desire to do, rooted in Eastern ritual and Western psychology 

 
With the transformational practice “Accounting for the Soul,” the author shows readers how to get clear on what individual authenticity and audacity looks like and how to live in accordance with it. As readers travel the world through Erin’s eyes, they will see how she took action to reclaim her power and live the life of her dreams, inspiring them to do the same. Face the blocks in your way and rise to your fullest potential—even if you are your own biggest obstacle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Red Wheel Weiser
• Release date: May 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9781612834894

Book preview

PREFACE

liberation

I wanted more.

I was spiritually starved and had an all-consuming hunger to learn—about other cultures, food, the way people think, love, pray, and see the world.

Why is wanting more such a rebellious act?

This is what I thought as my thighs chaffed, taking one dusty step after another, my feet dragging me forward into the vast Middle Eastern desert. My family, my corporate job I'd just quit, my Chicago friends and comforts, all half a world away.

A fly landed on my hunched shoulder—impressed by my stench, I suppose. Clearly, my natural deodorant wasn't working. I paused, catching my breath, noticing I was in fact far away from the ashram I was staying in, just a speck of dust in this never-ending desert.

What am I doing? was the main thought on repeat. I'd landed in Israel a few weeks ago with a one-way plane ticket and no plan, just a desperate need to honor that quiet voice within to trust, show up, and pursue the adventure. My heart rate rose, my palms began to sweat, and I noticed a little crater to my right and laid down to slow my soon-to-be full-blown panic attack.

I sank deeper into the crater, allowing the edge to provide just enough shade to shield my eyes from the sun. How can I do this work if my biggest obstacle is me? If, in my core, I don't feel worthy to pursue this path? What even is this path? I judged myself so deeply for desiring more. I need guidance. I need help. I closed my eyes. Tears poured down my face. My body shivered. A light filled every cell in my body. A voice with utter clarity and alignment spoke to me from within: You're never alone, it said. You're being guided. Pursue your deepest dreams. I am here with you.

I opened my eyes, stood up, and walked back to the ashram.

INTRODUCTION

do you have an open mind?

Are you down for the deep work?

Do you desire to live on your highest possible timeline?

You are responsible for your deepest desires and dreams. I know this because in my early adult life, I realized no one was coming to save me. No one was going to open my journals and read all the dreams I'd once had for myself. The Pinter-est boards, vision planners, and daydreaming thoughts hung out in the ether, in the space between where I was and where I desperately desired to be. But I knew I had to do the work because no one was going to hand me my dreams on a silver platter. You have to show up and do the work. Herein lies the medicine of this book. Nothing can stop you from pursuing your heart's desires.

As we embark on this journey together, it's important that you know you are welcome here. A million events had to occur for this book to land in your hands. It is not an accident for you to be experiencing this book right now; and for that I am grateful. Take a deep breath with me, because this book is infused with my highest wish for all:

That you show up for Self, your desires, and your deepest dreams;

That you are gentle with Self;

That you pursue your dreams while staying connected to your wise inner teacher; and

That you create a wonderful life for Self that's rooted in alignment.

It is your birthright to live your own life. In these pages, I share some of my own stories that led me to deepen my connection to my inner Self. Pulled from these stories are frameworks, exercises, and rituals rooted in both Eastern ritual and Western psychology that will guide you as you deepen your own connection to yourself, leading you to your most joyful, creative life. This path stems from grounded decision-making, honoring thyself and doing the work needed to change any beliefs that are limiting, untrue, and keeping you in the state of inaction on your desires. This will guide you to your highest possible timeline, the best path for your soul-authentic Self, the truest version of you.

WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER

In this book, I'm going to show you how to tune in to who you truly are and create a life that's meaningful, joyful, and nourishing. Some of this work will be challenging—we're going to get quiet, look inward, and face some maybe awkward, maybe painful, hard truths about ourselves. But I promise this will all pay off in the long run, in the form of nurturing meaningful relationships that sustain us; and in pursuing goals that align with our true path. My mission is to support you to do the thing, honoring the actual desires deep in your soul. Through a progression of rituals, embodiment practices, and meditations we'll get to the core of what actually fills you up, what makes you uniquely happy and content. We are going to illuminate your authentic Self and instill deep confidence and trust in your ability to make the decisions that are right for you.

This work is open to everyone, and it doesn't require you to buy anything to get started. But I would, however, recommend getting a notebook to record your answers to the prompts and to jot down other thoughts as you're reading. Alternatively, you could just type out your responses into the Notes app on your phone. There are benefits to writing things out longhand, but I'm also acutely aware of how much faster it is to type or leave yourself a voice memo. So do what works best for you. We're going to cover quite a bit of ground, so here's a quick overview of what to expect:

In Chapter 1, we're going to show up for ourselves. This is the crucial first step. I share with you how anxiety became one of my biggest teachers to guiding me toward the spiritual path. You will be introduced to the life-altering (and mandatory) practice of Mornings with Meaning and learn about honoring your inner child.

In Chapter 2, I share with you a pivotal story in my life where I met a false guru while staying at an Ayurvedic ashram in Northern India. We then explore different meditation practices to regulate the nervous system and see how important it is to have agency to leave an uncomfy situation.

Chapter 3 focuses on staying strong when we're challenged and face outside pressure—whether that's to conform, to acquiesce, or to play it small so others can feel more comfortable. I share with you an experience I had during my yoga teacher training in Southern India and how gratitude is one of my pathways to the sacred.

In Chapter 4, we'll explore the science of happiness and how to implement daily practices that will help you to live your happiest, most meaningful life.

Chapter 5 is all about emotional intelligence, the spiritual practice of slowing down and defining the major beliefs that govern your life.

Chapter 6 is one of my most cherished stories of all, the details on how I manifested my husband and how you can use manifestation to call in your dreams too. This chapter features the powerful practice of Snapshot Manifestation.

In Chapter 7, we'll tackle two of the most common roadblocks to achieving our goals: perfectionism and procrastination. We'll learn what's at the root of them and how to stay motivated and moving.

I believe that exploring the spiritual side of ourselves is an essential part of unlocking our true selves, and so I've devoted all of Chapter 8 to deepening and questioning our relationships to God, or a higher power as you understand it. And throughout this book, I encourage you to foster your connection with your inner Self as well as your relationship with a higher power. This chapter highlights the innate ability for children to be spiritual and how we can nurture that for future generations.

In Chapter 9, we discuss the concept of legacy energy—that is, how you want to leave this world. We will also explore what makes life meaningful and learn about the law of massive aligned action (LMAA) and what it means to be the beneficial presence (BP).

Chapter 10 is about exploring our language of Self and reframing practices to shift toward a more positive and uplifting mindset. This chapter also highlights common phrases we say in our English-speaking culture that may contribute to a collective limiting belief.

Something I've come across in my work with many, many people is how chronically undernourished we are. What I mean is that given all the myriad demands on our time, and the stress this causes, giving our bodies what we need to grow and heal and thrive is often put on the back burner. In Chapter 11, I offer a gentle reminder of some simple ways to make sure we are nourishing our bodies and our souls every day.

Chapter 12 dives into the cyclical nature of everything, and offers some ways to celebrate and harness the power of these cycles for our benefit.

Finally, Chapter 13 is an invitation to go forth and share your wonderful, imperfect, passionate, aligned, authentic Self with others by creating a powerful gathering—and encouraging others to explore their own authentic selves with you. Our growth is never done, and we're all always going to be changing. What better way to move into the next phase on your path than with the community of others?

I designed this book for you to read cover to cover first, so you can see how concepts build on one another. However, each chapter can stand alone, so you can return to chapters at random as you need them. In every chapter you will find actionable rituals and exercises to help you start putting these principles into practice right away. Also, some spiritual themes, key terms, and psychological concepts are purposefully repeated to encourage you to integrate the ideas in multiple ways. Once you've read the book, answered the questions, and done the rituals and meditations, I encourage you to revisit this material as a mindful check-in.

LET'S GET STARTED

So happy to have you here!

When I meet someone who wants it all—the connection to spirit, the abundance, the adventure, the romance, the health and vitality—I share this with them: You have to do the work. No one can do it for you. This is an intimate relationship between you and your own obstacles, and now is a superb time to show up. You are your own best friend and biggest cheerleader, or you are the bully in your story who keeps you playing small. On this journey, as you do the work, your connection to yourself will deepen and will light your path.

Now is the time to release judgment and make a pact with your inner Self. This is your time to shine. May you show up for yourself every day in every way May the practices in this book deepen your connection to yourself and the world. And remember, when moving through life connected to your inner wisdom and most authentic Self,

nothing can stop you.

CHAPTER 1

breathe in, show up

I do my thing, and you do your thing.

I am not in this world to live up to your expectations.

And you are not in this world to live up to mine.

You are you and I am I,

And if by chance we find each other,

It's beautiful.

If not, it can't be helped.

—FREDERICK S. PERLS, GESTALT THERAPY VERBATIM

This is not what you intended, I told myself. I remember thinking, Wow, how did this become my life? How did I end up in this ashram with a Holocaust denier? Why is this guru trying to fuck me? Why am I trusting this shaman, who claims he can predict the future, more than I am trusting myself?

It leads to the work of tuning inward.

Know thyself

This maxim appears at the entrance of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, where over twenty-five hundred years ago, the Greek oracle Pythia communed with the spirit world. Its wisdom holds true even today.

Who are you, really? How did you become this way? And what steps must you take to become the most authentic version of yourself (aka the person you were always meant to be)? These are some of the big questions we'll be exploring in this book.

When you know who you are, you are dangerous. You are not easily manipulated, and you know what is meant for your soul. You have a strong sense of self, clarity on who you are and on how you want to show up—day in and day out. You can say yes or no to decisions easily because your inner knowing guides you. The sooner you like who you are, and the sooner you are happy with yourself, the more miraculous life will be.

So often my clients come to me exhausted by all the self-development options. My one client Andy comes to mind. She knew that going to yoga after work instead of happy hour was better for her mental health, but it took so much effort to decline a drink and pull out the yoga mat. Andy knew that waking up, getting out of bed, and perhaps journaling or breathing a bit before work would feel nourishing, but instead she opens up her phone and scrolls. She desires to be in a romantic relationship but cannot muster up the stamina or confidence to get back on the dating apps or ask for an introduction. Her fridge is full of fresh foods, yet the exhaustion of the day always leaves Andy ordering in. This cycle continues, leading to nights of insomnia, moments of extreme anxiety, and a deep belief system that there has to be something more—and perhaps even a question around, Am I deserving to have more? And it's not that she doesn't enjoy her life—she has a nice couple of friends, a job that brings her some sense of accomplishment, and social events that she looks forward to. She just feels underwhelmed by it all. She thinks there has to be a better way. She wanted more for herself.

Andy is an example of someone who moves through the day doing mundane tasks that remind her, This isn't what I wanted for myself. This isn't the life I dreamed of when I was younger. Instead of judging or ignoring this inner voice—this higher self-knowing—we can lean in and use this as our true north navigation system.

If you yearn to live life out loud and show up for your deepest desires and dreams, now is the time to deepen your connection to your inner Self. In fact, this is your greatest work. It's time to show up and claim (or reclaim) your life. A side effect of honoring your inner Self is waking up to why you are the way you are and to the miracles all around you—and awakening to the truth of what needs to shift so you can live your authentic, nourished life.

What does it take to wake up and show up for ourselves in this modern world? It starts with making some space and getting quiet.

MAKING SPACE

Years ago, six years before the Liberated experience in the beginning of this book, when I was seventeen, I lay in the Israeli desert at night and stared up at the canopy of glowing stars. In that moment, as the earth supported my body and I contemplated the heavens, I had the profound knowing that anything is possible. A strong feeling of awe washed over me. While a rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah played in the background, I experienced peace in my body I loved the nourishing feeling of connecting to myself, and I felt the stars witness my subtle inner transformation. The stars above me reflected what I learned to be true in that moment: that I can shine. A small voice whispered, Erin, your calling in the world is to share this feeling of nourishment, to remember that anything is possible, and to support others to shine as well, in their own way, just like these stars.

This inner voice, or knowing, wasn't something people around me talked about. My academic curriculum did not nurture it. Some people call it a gut feeling; others call it intuition. It felt like a higher, happier, more authentic version of myself was trying to break through and communicate with me. I called her my inner guru. At the time I was not yet a yogi, but I heard this term thrown around in yoga studios, philosophy books, and even at my synagogue.

Years later, while studying at Columbia University, the core curriculum focused on listening to our inner instrument of knowing, truth, and direction. Science, spirituality, and psychology converged. I was fascinated and elated to discover that researchers and educators had been working on formal language and frameworks to understand the feeling I had stumbled upon in the desert as a teenager. Now, I could finally explain how my intuition had guided me to make the decisions I'd made up to this point—and I could teach others how to access this latent superpower for themselves.

My inner guru was present during my sorority girl days. As I partied, it whispered in my ear that my undergraduate degree, my social group, even the way I dressed, were all out of alignment. It reminded me daily (usually in the middle of the night) that I was not happy; I was not connected to the best version of myself. Amidst it all—the themed mixers, the dating, the late-night binge eating, the unkind gossip—anxiety rocked my world