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~UPDATED: We release a new list every year. CLICK HERE TO SEE Spiritual 100 List 2014 ~
Here are the top 10 people from the 100 Spiritual Power List, published in 2011 in issue #26 of the Watkins Review (now Watkins’ Mind Body Spirit.
1. Eckhart Tolle. Tolle does not advocate any particular religion, and has contributed to a wide range of spirituality. Eckhart’s profound yet simple teachings have helped countless people throughout the world find inner peace and greater fulfillment in their lives. At the core of the teachings lies the transformation of consciousness, a spiritual awakening that he sees as the next step in human evolution. His books, The Power of Now and the highly-acclaimed follow-up A New Earth are two of the best-selling Mind, Body, Spirit books in the world – more than eight million copies have been sold in North America alone. He deliberately avoided setting up an ashram or centre as he cautions that “one needs to be careful that the organization doesn’t become self-serving”.
2. Dalai Lama. Born Lhamo Dondrub, Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th Dalai Lama. Tibetan Buddhists believe him to be a reincarnation of his predecessors and the Buddha of compassion. He is a vocal activist for Tibetan independence and has made an incredible contribution to global spirituality.
3. Wayne Dyer. A self-made success story, Wayne Dyer inspires readers to actualize their potential. He is referred to as a “preacher of self reliance” and is currently focusing on interpreting the Tao Te Ching. He lives in Maui, Hawaii and has eight children.
4. Thich Nhat Hanh. Buddhist monk, teacher, author and peace activist. He founded the Order of Interbeing and the Unified Buddhist Church, along with monasteries and spiritual centres in Vietnam, the USA and France, where he now lives.
5. Deepak Chopra. Deepak began as an endocrinologist, and then shifted his career towards alternative medicine. As a writer on Ayurveda, mind-body medicine and spirituality, he has had huge success with titles such as Ageless Body, Timeless Mind and The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Chopra’s immense cultural influence spans beyond traditional MBS, from children’s books to comics.
6. Louise Hay. Louise Hay is a motivational author, and the founder of Hay House. Her best known work is You Can Heal Your Life; Hay House has published over 300 books, and has made an immense contribution to mind-body-spirit literature and the New Thought Movement. Thinking positively can definitely make a difference!
7. Paolo Coelho. The Alchemist is one of the top selling books in history—with over 65 million copies sold, and holds the Guinness world record for being translated in the most languages!
8. Oprah Winfrey. Oprah might be the most influential person in the world. She has discovered and advocated for so many spiritually influential thinkers—from Obama to Eckhart Tolle. We ranked her at only 8th place, because her influence isn’t focused on spirituality, but eighth place may act as a metaphor since 8 means infinity in numerous metaphysical paradigms.
9. Ken Wilber. Wilber has advocated Integral Thought and influenced figures as varied as Bill Clinton, Deepak Chopra, and Billy Corgan. He founded the Integral Institute and has written about adult development, developmental psychology, philosophy, worldcentrism, ecology, and stages of faith.
10. Rhonda Byrne. Well known for The Secret book and DVD. Byrne advocates the belief that we can all transcend our suffering by not falling prey to negative thoughts. She has been listed among Times Magazine’s list of 100 people who shape the world, and has also produced television shows. Last year she published The Power as a sequel to The Secret.
~UPDATED: We release a new list every year. CLICK HERE TO SEE Spiritual 100 List 2014 ~
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All interesting choices except Rhonda Byrne. “The Secret” is warmed over Ernest Holmes and not very well thought through. If you think you will get the man and the house of your dreams by wishing for it, you are dreaming.
9/10 is a pretty good stat–what do you think of the rest of the 100 list? Are 90% of the people worthy of their selection?
The School for Wonder is happy to find Andrew Harvey on this list, for a 2012 New Year’s Retreat in Santa Fe over a five-day period. We hope some of the others on this list will join us for this intimate gathering, with five overnight guests and 20 commuters. Blessings, Jess
Thank you–Andrew is an inspiration!
Those who work quietly…….are equally as valid…….
For all the “unsung heroes”
friend of Jesus x
Where is James Van Praagh in this list, aren’t psychics the most spiritual people?
James Van Praagh is an excellent suggestion, and as this was the first year that the list has been compiled, I admit that we had overlooked some names. I’ve made sure to add him to our database for next year. Thx!
how is Oprah on this list? doesn’t make sense… really
Interesting how many of the top Spiritual people are multi millionaires from selling everthing from Books to anthing that will sell. True spirituality is selfless along the lines of Mother Teresa whom lived in poverty and although a Catholic Nun accepted all and helped all while living amongst them. I highly doubt that any and I quote any of your Top 100 spiritual leaders can ever come close to her humility.
The list relates to living ppl. Mother Teresa lived an amazing life. Any suggestions for ppl that are currently alive?
Comparison doesn’t seem working for spiritual leaders ! Each one has his or her own way of doing things! Finally what matters is what they have done for the upliftment of humanity as a whole…whether it is through charity, or by writing books or by any means! Mata amritanandamayi devi (popularly called as “amma”), is a symbol of love and compassion and untiring dedication for the betterment of this world is far above any religion ; but truly spiritual!!
Yes, but it’s good to talk about and praise the people that are inspiring others and alive today.
Michael Brown, self-effacing author of The Presence Process published by Namaste. The single most helpful tool for conscious development that exists.
another great suggestion–thx!
Truth is hidden it must be searched in pitch dark to really to grow in soul not where bright light is on.
In the stillness of mind it is really knowing not receiving in sound or word.
Every time I questioned only blank was answer , acute perception in silelence delivers that can not be listed .
What about Hale Dwoskin?
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Dwoskin is a good suggestion, but doesn’t get googled quite enough.
The most famous and sought after spiritual leader who has followers in 154 countries and who is responsible for bringing a smile to millions of people around the world is not in the list. It is none other than Sri. Sri. Ravishankar.
Ravishankar is an amazing person!
Stunning to overlook author of Original Blessing- Matthew Fox, it was a best seller 25 years ago and influenced many of these people
with 30 other books.
Oh, geese. My mistake. The Pope is 34. But…still.
Kevin, academia tends to lag what is happening in the world. That’s just a result of need of each academic department to self perpetuate the canon of books that they have studied. A list of living ppl is sure to be years ahead of the ivory towers 😉
Where is Leonard Jacobson?
Leonard Jacobson is interesting but he isn’t googled that often. Approximately 1300 times a month.
Those interested in the work of Andrew Cohen, even as #70, would do well to consider a recent article by Stas Mavrides, a former student.
“Devotion, Deception and Opportunism
in Andrew Cohen’s Re-found Love
for His Guru, H.W.L. Poonja”
http://www.integralworld.net/mavrides1.html
[…] says so much about how we currently live and seek guidance! The most engaging read is how the top ten from this list qualify for their position – we think that the ability to communicate […]
I’m so sorry Ram Das is not on this list. He definitely belongs here. “Be Here Now” is an iconic book.
Ram Dass is #47 😉
Francis Lucille, Rupert Spira and Scott Kiloby may not currenly have as many books out right now or be as well known as some of the people on the list but they are on the very short list of people like Tolle who are established in self realization continuously unlike most of the people on your list.
What about Marianne Williamson or Pia Melody?
Marianne is 27th on the list 😉
Interesting that among the 100 only one is a Muslim! For more than a billion Muslims around the world are there no other spiritual leaders? Or Watkins don’t care about them?
Actually, there are several Muslim teachers and scholars on the list. You can get more detail on the candidates in the full 11 page article of the last Watkins Review.
as I read over your top 10 I saying to myself are you joking me!
its hard to imagine the person who has given spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical solace to literally millions of people all over the world IN ADDITION to spearheading a huge NGO to help the poor and needy you have listed at #29! You guys are so blasted full of yourselves. However Eckhart, Deepka and the DaiLama are great choices. And don’t write back to me, its because of their books….. yes books are one thing but 24/7 personal face to face ministering for over 30 must acct for something more than #29! Crying out loud you guys!
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Famous for spirituality is much different than the spiritual power of Silvio Berlusconi. Especially when you count his split (origin refuse) channels. The spirit channel CANNIBAL emperor loves his secret.
HI , where is Dr. David Hawkins ?
Am extremely surprised to see Esther and Jerry Hicks so far down the list especially as they have aspired and inspired a couple sat in the top ten and they really are the way to go at the moment!
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