Religion is thriving in North America. It has been neutered of demands, challenge and sacrifice, but has been reborn in a corporate setting as a balm for the motivational set. In the guise of spirituality, with a New Age patina, and a dose of prosperity teaching, it is a pure motivational accelerant.
Is this a stretch to categorize motivational speakers as spiritualists in disguise, dispensing insights on the meaning of life? No, one just has to read what they actually say—often with the boldness that would not be tolerated by those affiliated with a conventional religion.
One exemplar is Robin Sharma, among the world’s top 20 motivational speakers. His recent book reflects his approach. Part of the purpose of The Everyday Hero Manifesto is to provide “spiritual freedom” and the book “helps [the reader] realize [their] personal magic” [12]. He states, “I’m no one special. I’m no guru” [7].
As an encouragement to readers, he notes: “We will watch your growth, applaud your gifts, appreciate your valor and admire your eventual immortality” [5]. That’s a big claim. As part of his own personal development journey, he “ learned to meditate and visualize, journal and contemplate, fast and pray” and worked with “spiritual counselors” [11].
He makes startling claims throughout the book. “I began to know of a magic that is available to any human being seriously interested in befriending it” [12]. “I pray that you always trust your intuition over the cool and practical reasoning of your intellect” [14].
He is not reticent to display his spiritual leanings. The book includes a photo in Bangkok with the Golden Buddha [25]. His morning routine involves meditation, visualization, and prayer [71].
His approach is spiritually infused. He notes that they "ensure clients work monthly with a spiritual counselor to access their highest self. Again, you can’t get to Best in World on your own. Set up your support team of ultra-experts as soon as you can" [133]. Spirituality is part of that.
Among the “40 Things I Wish I’d Known at 40” he includes, one, "that journaling is praying on paper. And every prayer is heard” [145] and two, “that when you feel most alone, your higher power is closest to you” [146].
One of his dearest artistic rules: “Karma is real and our higher power watches all we do" [172]. He further notes, “And yet you will ascend into higher reaches of your triumphantly higher nature, enter the Edens of your most glorious nobility and experience the Nirvanas of your most sacred success when you give primarily for the sake of giving. Not getting” [175-176].
He refers to the poet Kahlil Gibran and The Prophet [177]. He references the Indian sage Patanjali [192] and scholar Hamza Yusuf [306]. To balance things off he quotes Etienne de Grellet, a Quaker missionary, on kindness [88].
He volunteers the meaning of life: “The primary purpose of a life fully lived is healing our ancient wounds, fully stepping into our native talent and ascending into all that we were built to be, while being helpful to as many human souls as possible” [206].
There is a lot of mystery and magic involved: “Even when you don’t feel your higher power is protecting you and your guardian angels are watching over you, they are. As a matter of fact, you’ll be closest to the heavens of your strongest self at the very time that you feel most alone” [209].
He suggests: “I believe that life unfolds as a magical orchestration of seemingly random events that are absolutely for your greatest progress” [210]. He says: “I’m ambitious to deepen my relationship with my maker” [211].
He discusses the important role of mentors that will kindle “your magnificent ascent into the magic you are meant to be, sprinkling your starlight into the universe” [244].
What about life after death? He addresses that, too. Sharma explains: “I am not concerned about leaving [the world] because I sincerely believe that after our bodies degrade to dust, all that we truly are continues. Our highest, wisest, strongest, undefeatable, noblest, eternal and all-loving selves—our souls—return to the source from which they came. And advance toward infinity. And I don’t think this place they go back to—or, more precisely, become more fully immersed in—is a bad place that we should be frightened of entering, with hot fires and nasty rulers of the underworld waving their pitchforks at angels and swearing at saints. No. Not at all. I believe that after we die, we simply go back to the light” [258-259]. How did he come up with that? Not sure.
It's always intriguing when leadership experts, ostensibly helping businesspeople with things to be applied in the marketplace, delve into spirituality shamelessly. I imagine it is tolerated because it is not a dreaded religion, but simply an accelerant to a good life without any demands. It’s harmless, feel-good stuff, that can be considered on an à la carte basis.
But it is good to recognize something for what it is. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is indeed a duck. Robin Sharma provides great leadership insights wrapped up in the Trojan Horse religion of Robin Sharma. That’s fine—but it's always a good idea to know what you are getting. Be prepared that your next book by a leadership expert is more than likely a guide to the meaning of life.