James Ray grew up with a very religious background. He wasn't a typical child who enjoyed sports or social events, but rather he enjoyed reading about all of the religions of the world. As the son of a Protestant minister, James Ray was well grounded in many of the traditional Christian beliefs, but his father encouraged him to have an open mind, and he always supported the other religious studies James pursued.

As a teenager, James Ray wanted to learn how the universe works, so he began studying Buddhism, philosophy, and quantum physics. Today, he teaches people some of the same ideas he gathered in his childhood. He encourages people to dive deeply into one subject and be a true student rather than constantly seeking a bit of everything.

James Ray didn't begin his career as a spiritual teacher. For quite some time, he had a successful position as one of the top sales managers for AT&T. He was in charge of AT&T's School of Business, and as such, he was in charge of training. He trained people how to think differently, feel differently, and act differently.

James Ray left AT&T to venture out on his own in 1992. Before getting into spiritual teaching, he first worked as a corporate consultant and trainer. James felt he could have an impact on the bottom line of a corporation by training individuals within each company. After all, what is a company without its employees?

As a spiritual teacher, James Ray started the Harmonic Wealth program. The Harmonic Wealth program isn't about money; it's about spiritual fulfillment. No one, even billionaires, can be truly happy if they feel financially insecure. With the Harmonic Wealth program, James teaches people how to find harmony in life by balancing five key areas.

The five key areas, or pillars, of life that have to be balanced for fulfillment are financial, relational, mental, physical, and spiritual. To truly set your life on fire, you have to find what you're passionate about and then incorporate it into the five pillars.

Each of the five pillars depends on the others, so that is the reason James Ray feels balance is crucial to success. Just as you can't argue with your spouse over money and have a loving conversation at the same time, or how you can't do your best at work if your physical body is ill, you can't be completely happy with your life if the only thing you have is money.

James Ray has been interviewed by Oprah Winfrey and Larry King, and he was in the movie "The Secret." Harmonic Wealth and The Secret are very similar, because both require balance. Harmonic Wealth is about the balance of five pillars, and The Secret is about going "three for three" with your thoughts, feelings, and actions in focus. Either way, you must find balance in your life to find success!