Author Christian de la Huerta Talks ‘Awakening the Soul of Power'

Christian de la Huerta's new book Awakening the Soul of Power showcases the award-winning author and personal transformation coach as he unpacks the power struggles that exist in all humans and redefines what a hero looks like in the 21st century. An acclaimed speaker, de la Huerta has shared his message at many settings including universities, conferences, corporate trainings, spiritual communities and the TedX stage. In his book, which multiple-Grammy Award-winning singer Gloria Estefan endorsed as “a balm to the soul of anyone searching for truth and answers to life’s difficult questions,” de la Huerta hopes to help transform the reader’s relationship to power, and to themselves.

With 30 years of experience, Christian de la Huerta is a sought-after spiritual teacher, personal transformation coach and leading voice in the breathwork community. He has traveled the world offering inspiring and transformational retreats combining psychological and spiritual teachings with lasting and life-changing effects. An award-winning, critically acclaimed author, he has spoken at numerous universities and conferences and on the TedX stage. His new book, Awakening the Soul of Power, was described by multiple Grammy Award–winner Gloria Estefan as “a balm for the soul of anyone searching for truth and answers to life’s difficult questions.”

We had the honor to speak with Christian de la Huerta for an insightful and thoughtful interview which you can dive into below.

What is the inspiration for your newest book, Awakening the Soul of Power?

When we were kids, my older sister held the reins of power among us nine children. She was a natural-born leader, not only in our family but among the neighborhood kids. That is, until puberty hit, and she sadly assumed a more traditional “ladylike” facade, denying her innate power (at least on the surface). With roots in misogyny, cultural conditioning, and misunderstandings of power and gender roles, her self-imposed disempowerment is no doubt tragic. Yet, what is even more regrettable is that this experience is not unique to my sister, but still far too common among women. Though this book is for everyone, it has a particular message for women, stemming from my conviction that the empowerment of women is the single most important thing that needs to happen in our world. To that we can connect all the other issues we face as a species. When women are in 50% of power, we’ll have a very different relationship to war, hunger, social justice, wealth distribution, education, healthcare, how we treat the environment—all of it!

What is the meaning behind the title itself? And how does it tie into the book?

Many of us have a push/pull, yes/no, ambivalent relationship to power. We want it but are afraid of it—afraid we might abuse it. No wonder! We have been conditioned to believe that power is bad, that it corrupts, but weren’t told that that saying referred specifically to political power, not personal power. Plus, how many abuses of power do we witness on a daily basis, especially lately? We have been conditioned to fear and suppress the emotions, labeling them weakness. We hate conflict and confrontation. So for all those reasons we end up suppressing ourselves, ignoring our deep desires and dreams, and selling out on our power—saying “yes” with an imitation smile when inside we really feel “no.” This book presents a different way to look at power, so that we can come to terms with it and find ways to own and express it that are both courageous, compassionate, and a match for who we truly are.

What can you tell us about the Calling All Heroes series? Where does it begin?

We tend to associate heroism with those who display great courage and accomplish extraordinary feats or selflessly place themselves at personal risk for the sake of another being, a larger community, or a cause. COVID-19 has expanded the way we view heroism so that we now include frontline doctors, nurses, EMTs, and respiratory therapists who constantly place their lives at risk in order to help others heal and survive. Grocery store clerks, public transit operators, migrant farmworkers, and delivery people have also showed up heroically in many cases, having to take extra shifts or arrange for extra childcare so they could serve the rest of us and make sure our essential needs were met. They kept things going and for that we honor, respect, and thank them. What about the rest of us, though? During these times of chaos and uncertainty, we could argue that simply getting up in the morning, making our beds and maintaining calm, centered, and positive lives are heroic acts. Yet I feel we are being called to more. All of us. For years I’ve been saying “All hands on deck!” Now that time has truly come.

Presented as a three-book series, Calling All Heroes expands the way we think of heroism to include everyday challenges that lead to our own personal transformation and spiritual awakening, in service to humanity’s evolution. In doing, so perhaps we don’t place ourselves at risk of physical survival in the way a warrior hero does, but living in the ways presented in the book is no less heroic. Freeing ourselves from our conditioning, healing our wounds, and transcending our past traumas is an act of tremendous courage, for example. It demands that we set aside our own needs for the greater good. It requires that we place ourselves at some degree of emotional and psychological risk. And that is truly the stuff of heroes.

This first book, Awakening the Soul of Power, inspires readers to engage power in new ways that will ultimately generate a deeper level of fulfillment, satisfaction, and effectiveness in the world, while supporting the development of our unique expression of power congruent with our nature and values. Book 2 will explore how heroes attract and nurture conscious relationships, and is due out next fall. Book 3, on life purpose and mindful leadership, the year after that.

With over 30 years experience, how did you transform from being a spiritual teacher, into the realm of being an author?

Well, my first book, Coming Out Spiritually, was published 20 years ago. Yes, I resist writing! I’ve been teaching and leading retreats for 30 years now. They are both interconnected and an expression of the same sense of mission. Paraphrasing Einstein, you can’t solve a problem from the same level of consciousness in which it was created. When I think about all the overwhelming challenges we are facing, the only way out I see has to be thinking outside the box—nothing less than a spiritual revolution, a leap in consciousness. My role then, as I see it, is to support that awakening, both in myself and as many others as possible.

How long did it take you to write Awakening the Soul of Power?

In one sense a lifetime, because I walk my talk. To me, these aren’t hypothetical, airy-fairy teachings I read in a book, but teachings that I have lived and applied to my life—and still practice daily. I’ve been working on this book on and off for probably 8-10 years. I wasn’t writing or actively working on it during all that time, but thinking about, conceiving the teachings, letting them brew, testing them out in retreats, putting them into practice myself. It took the mandatory global timeout for me to be able to finish it. I haven’t held any live events or been on a plane since March. For that break and opportunity, I’m grateful!

After diving into Awakening the Soul of Power, what do you want readers to take away from it?

That soulful power is an inside job; it is our essence! And we all have access to it. Discovering who we really are, reclaiming our power—no longer allowing our fears, insecurities, disappointments, and busy schedules to hold us back—is the most fulfilling and important work we can do right now.

It became apparent to me in the writing this book that I was putting together a primer for how to express power in a soulful way, laying out a path to help people embody their greatest power and express their passion and purpose. In the process, it also feels like we are also launching a movement of soulful heroes, who take their soulful power out into the world and unleash it in ways that are congruent with who they are, while magnetizing others by becoming bright, clear beacons of light. For those who are ready to step up and answer the call or to rev things up a bit (or a lot), join our Facebook group, Unleash Your Inner Hero.

Find the book via: https://www.amazon.com/Awakeni...

FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://soulfulpower.com