Guide ‘n’ seek : LV author leads readers to ‘Effortless Prosperity’

Anne Hosier

Friday, May 29, 1998 | 11:29 a.m.

What are we all doing here on Earth?

It's a question that has occupied philosophers, saints, spiritual gurus and ordinary folks since the beginning of time.

Yet in recent years an astounding array of psycho-spiritual self-help books has appeared on bookstore shelves and on bestseller lists, advocating the increasingly popular idea that we're here to create our own realities -- and in the process, manifest as much material wealth as our hearts desire.

Amid the deluge of books embracing this philosophy comes "Effortless Prosperity" (The Ink Spot, $10) by Las Vegas real estate agent-turned-spiritual author and lecturer Bijan Anjomi.

Anjomi, a former Mr. Universe who claims he was urged by his "guides" -- spiritual beings, or angels, who advise him -- to write "Effortless Prosperity," says the book is really a blueprint for peace and happiness rather than for financial wealth.

But according to one of his guides -- who apparently has a knack for publicity -- "'You've got to go for what attracts people ... If you (call) it 'Effortless Peace and Joy and Happiness,' nobody is going to be attracted to the book.' "

Among the "miracles" Anjomi shares in the second half of the book is a scenario in which he asks his guide to pay his mortgage, only to have a piece of commercial property unexpectedly sell, resulting in a commission large enough to cover taxes and the mortgage.

"If people are tired of suffering and struggling," Anjomi says, "there's a way for (life) to become effortless and all their needs will be met."

That entails getting in touch with "who you are. You're not this body, you're this spirit that comes here to experience body," as well as examining your belief systems, which profoundly influence your reality, Anjomi says. "Our belief system is like a projector, and the world is like a screen, so whatever we have in our mind, we project it out there, and that's what shows up."

Anjomi concedes his philosophy isn't new: In the acknowledgement at the beginning of the book, he cites The Course in Miracles, Forum Training, Scientology, Religious Science and the Bahai' Faith as some of his spiritual influences.

As a child growing up in his native Iran, Anjomi was schooled in the principals of Islam, as well as those of Judaism and the Bahai' religion from his father, who was Jewish, and his mother, who followed the teachings of Bahai' prophets.

When he moved to the United States at age 19, he began studying the Bible, the teachings of Buddhism and The Course in Miracles, and realized that all the religions "were different paths going the same direction and all are perfect" for their followers.

The 30 "Lessons" which comprise the first half of "Effortless Prosperity" reflect some of the concepts contained in Deepak Chopra's popular books -- particularly "Creating Affluence: Wealth Consciousness in the Field of All Possibilities" -- ideas such as the importance of giving instead of always receiving, and the emphasis on a peaceful mindset.

"It's very close to Deepak," Anjomi says of his philosophy.

But not too close to Chopra: After Anjomi lost a ticket he had bought to see the speaker at a recent event, he asked his guides for an explanation. "And they said: 'You're not supposed to go see Deepak,' " Anjomi says. "I don't know why. But they know a lot of things I don't know."

"Effortless Prosperity" also contains ideas gleaned from The Course in Miracles, which Anjomi studied and taught for nine years. However, to a greater extent than The Course in Miracles, " 'Effortless Prosperity' is extremely simplified," he says.

Anjomi expands upon these principals in the free seminars he offers at his company's Las Vegas office and in private homes. "Since March of last year, over 4,000 people have come to our classes, and every one of them, without exception, is getting magnificent results, seeing miracles and sharing miracles," he contends.

Granted, some might consider Anjomi's definition of "miracle" a bit unusual.

Among miraculous stories contained in the second half of the book is a scenario in which Anjomi wishes for a woman with an attractive build, receives a phone call from a former Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, engages in five days of "physical bliss" and then realizes she is not right for him. The lesson: "I no longer view women as their bodies, but rather I bless them."

Of the "miracles" experienced by participants in his seminars, Anjomi offers the example of a woman who reported that after attending the workshops, her father, for the first time in her life, told her he loves and respects her. "And never ever (before) did he have that kind of feeling for her."

Another participant, who sells office supplies, "said he had sold in the last four days (after attending the class) more than any other day in the last 27 years."

Anjomi declines to take credit. "It really has to do," he says, "with them getting in touch with love and light and God within them."