The World’s 100 Most Spiritual People

By on March 4, 2011 in News 81
Eckhart Tolle. Photo: Kyle Hoobin (CC)

Eckhart Tolle. Photo: Kyle Hoobin (CC)

The team at Watkins Books in London has published its début list of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People on the Planet. Did they get it right? Check out the full list here – and to give you a taste, this is the top 10:

1. Eckhart Tolle
2. Dalai Lama
3. Dr Wayne W. Dyer
4. Thich Nhat Hanh
5. Deepak Chopra
6. Louise L. Hay
7. Paolo Coelho
8. Oprah Winfrey
9. Ken Wilber
10. Rhonda Byrne

  • Anonymous

    What?! I’m not on the list? That’s F*n’ BULLSH*T, MAN!!! I’m WAY more spiritual than any o’ them punks!

    I frickkin’ CRUSH YOU with my sublime compassion, Eckhart Tolle . . . . CHUMP!!!

    http://dananau.com/wabe/humor/monkgloats.pdf

  • Liam_McGonagle

    What?! I’m not on the list? That’s F*n’ BULLSH*T, MAN!!! I’m WAY more spiritual than any o’ them punks!

    I frickkin’ CRUSH YOU with my sublime compassion, Eckhart Tolle . . . . CHUMP!!!

    http://dananau.com/wabe/humor/monkgloats.pdf

    • http://hormeticminds.blogspot.com/ Chaorder Gradient

      Wait wait wait… theres a World Yoga Championship? And one of their major measurements is simply oxygen control?

      “…walked away with the World Yoga Championship after averaging 1.89 breaths per minute for two straight hours.”

      The whole concept of a championship in such a matter is just ridiculous. When competition is involved you push yourself to the limits so chances are this “champion” was pushing back his oxygen intake beyond feasible “serene” levels. I’m sure his body was screaming at him to breathe. There are most likely gear-free divers that can compete on this level and it has nothing to do with yoga.

      On another note, how the hell do they time the achievement of “total consciousness (TC)” … all of this smells of the corruption of an old culture.

      • http://hormeticminds.blogspot.com/ Chaorder Gradient

        lol also I cant believe i got punked by an onion article…………. I hate myself a little bit right now

  • dddjjj

    OPRAH IS NUMBAH ONE FO SURE

  • dddjjj

    OPRAH IS NUMBAH ONE FO SURE

  • jsh

    Top 100 most spiritually prolific, more like it. Though Eckhart and his dissertations on Ego is quite valuable.

  • jsh

    Top 100 most spiritually prolific, more like it. Though Eckhart and his dissertations on Ego is quite valuable.

  • jsh

    Top 100 most spiritually prolific, more like it. Though Eckhart and his dissertations on Ego is quite valuable.

    • Kali23Yuga

      I prefer Meister Eckhart

  • Jim

    Who are these people?

  • Jim

    Who are these people?

  • Jim

    Who are these people?

    • MrsShuck

      Thank you! I’d also like a definition of spirituality.

      • Jim

        I agree, what the hell is the definition of spirituality anyways?

        This list looks like “Forbes 100 of the Richest and Most Spiritual People” issue.

  • Hadrian999

    I would have to say spiritual and spiritually influential are 2 vastly different things

  • Hadrian999

    I would have to say spiritual and spiritually influential are 2 vastly different things

    • Liam_McGonagle

      And judging by the inclusion of Rhonda “The Secret” Byrne, spirituality is pretty far from relevance, too . . .

  • nemo

    Spirituality must be judged by how many books you sell on the NYT Non-fiction list, or alternately how much you charge for speaking tours. I’m not going to argue with Thich Nhat Hahn, though even he sort of attracts touchy-feely ego-driven dingbats in droves. Everyone else is an example of the kind of modern spirituality that istotally self-centered, flawed, and only good for turning the aspirants away from a chance for self or world improvement and instead focuses on wants, greedy desires, and a kind of idolatrous veneration of the self and all it’s petty flaw. This kind of spirituality is just another side of the same exploitive, class-structured, propagandistic capitalism, a sort of capitalism of spirituality if you will. I hope miss Byrne continue to enjoy her ‘universal secret’, which as I understand the secret is to blow smoke up people’s asses and charge big money for lectures.

  • nemo

    Spirituality must be judged by how many books you sell on the NYT Non-fiction list, or alternately how much you charge for speaking tours. I’m not going to argue with Thich Nhat Hahn, though even he sort of attracts touchy-feely ego-driven dingbats in droves. Everyone else is an example of the kind of modern spirituality that istotally self-centered, flawed, and only good for turning the aspirants away from a chance for self or world improvement and instead focuses on wants, greedy desires, and a kind of idolatrous veneration of the self and all it’s petty flaw. This kind of spirituality is just another side of the same exploitive, class-structured, propagandistic capitalism, a sort of capitalism of spirituality if you will. I hope miss Byrne continue to enjoy her ‘universal secret’, which as I understand the secret is to blow smoke up people’s asses and charge big money for lectures.

    • Darthtim23

      nemo – I totally know where you are coming from regarding many, many ‘spiritual’ people on the list and otherwise, but Eckhart Tolle’s work is far from being self-centred and egotistical – I was archly sceptical myself before I read it…. but I couldn’t find anything wrong with it – in fact it’s given me much food for (no) thought (heh)… it’s Zen Buddhism rehashed (remastered?) for the modern age IMHO….

      I like the phrase ‘capatilism of spirituality’ btw….

  • Darthtim23

    nemo – I totally know where you are coming from regarding many, many ‘spiritual’ people on the list and otherwise, but Eckhart Tolle’s work is far from being self-centred and egotistical – I was archly sceptical myself before I read it…. but I couldn’t find anything wrong with it – in fact it’s given me much food for (no) thought (heh)… it’s Zen Buddhism rehashed (remastered?) for the modern age IMHO….

    I like the phrase ‘capatilism of spirituality’ btw….

  • Anonymous

    It’s worth following the link to the original article to see just how ridiculous this list is. It includes such luminaries as Dan Brown at #42 and Erich von Däniken at #63.

  • Dave_Plankton

    It’s worth following the link to the original article to see just how ridiculous this list is. It includes such luminaries as Dan Brown at #42 and Erich von Däniken at #63.

  • Grooveboss

    profit that comes from the devine…..

  • Grooveboss

    profit that comes from the devine…..

  • Liam_McGonagle

    And judging by the inclusion of Rhonda “The Secret” Byrne, spirituality is pretty far from relevance, too . . .

  • John Flax

    I’ve met exercise equipment that was more spiritual than fucking Oprah.

  • John Flax

    Charlie Sheen was robbed.

  • JohnFrancisBittrich

    I’ve met exercise equipment that was more spiritual than fucking Oprah.

    • MoralDrift

      Just thought I’d let you know, I LOL’d for reals

    • Cultureshock1104

      And at least exercise equipment will eventually come out of the closet.

  • JohnFrancisBittrich

    Charlie Sheen was robbed.

  • http://hormeticminds.blogspot.com/ Chaorder Gradient

    Wait wait wait… theres a World Yoga Championship? And one of their major measurements is simply oxygen control?

    “…walked away with the World Yoga Championship after averaging 1.89 breaths per minute for two straight hours.”

    The whole concept of a championship in such a matter is just ridiculous. When competition is involved you push yourself to the limits so chances are this “champion” was pushing back his oxygen intake beyond feasible “serene” levels. I’m sure his body was screaming at him to breathe. There are most likely gear-free divers that can compete on this level and it has nothing to do with yoga.

  • http://hormeticminds.blogspot.com/ Chaorder Gradient

    lol also I cant believe i got punked by an onion article…………. I hate myself a little bit right now

  • Ren Hoek

    Thanks for the meaningless list.

  • Ren Hoek

    Thanks for the meaningless list.

  • Quais

    What a ridiculously stupid list. While I agree with quite a few of the selections, but Ervin Laszlo, Drunvalo Melchizedek, Stuart Wilde, Coleman Barks, Richard Bandler (lol), Daniel Pinchbeck, Esther and Jerry Hicks?! I can’t believe they didn’t include Liam McGonagle in the top 10.

  • Quais

    What a ridiculously stupid list. While I agree with quite a few of the selections, but Ervin Laszlo, Drunvalo Melchizedek, Stuart Wilde, Coleman Barks, Richard Bandler (lol), Daniel Pinchbeck, Esther and Jerry Hicks?! I can’t believe they didn’t include Liam McGonagle in the top 10.

  • Carbon

    Stopped reading at Oprah and unsubscribing / Unlike.

    Seriously, wow….

  • Carbon

    Stopped reading at Oprah and unsubscribing / Unlike.

    Seriously, wow….

  • Dsfdgsd

    Oprah Winfrey. Come on.
    Is this the 100 biggest media whores in the genre of spirituality?
    Being filthy dirty rich and spiritual is a bit of a contradiction.
    The 100 most spiritual people have probably never even heard of anyone on this list.
    Immaterial reality…
    Oprah…
    My head just exploded.

  • Dsfdgsd

    Oprah Winfrey. Come on.
    Is this the 100 biggest media whores in the genre of spirituality?
    Being filthy dirty rich and spiritual is a bit of a contradiction.
    The 100 most spiritual people have probably never even heard of anyone on this list.
    Immaterial reality…
    Oprah…
    My head just exploded.

  • georgebushisthedevil

    oprah is pimpin’ for the illuminati

  • georgebushisthedevil

    oprah is pimpin’ for the illuminati

  • MrsShuck

    Thank you! I’d also like a definition of spirituality.

  • Anonymous

    Just thought I’d let you know, I LOL’d for reals

  • Kali23Yuga

    This so-called list of the most spiritually infuential people just proves the kind of spirituality that is trendy these days amongst those yuppies. A vegetarian friendly one, for wellness centre couples, doing some Tai Chi after they dumped the kids and some yoga to relax after a stressful day of work.
    This just gives the old arts a bad name.

  • Kali23Yuga

    This so-called list of the most spiritually infuential people just proves the kind of spirituality that is trendy these days amongst those yuppies. A vegetarian friendly one, for wellness centre couples, doing some Tai Chi after they dumped the kids and some yoga to relax after a stressful day of work.
    This just gives the old arts a bad name.

  • Kali23Yuga

    I prefer Meister Eckhart

  • Duckplops

    Oh freaking barf…

  • Duckplops

    Oh freaking barf…

  • Mitch Cumsteen, Nightputter

    Who is really spiritual? The people that are filled with spirit, elan and compassion for others? Or, is this a spirit of holy ghost? Who brings a rise in emotion…Palin and Obama. Who considers themself as emotional leader… O’Rieley and Okra. Who brings out the spirit in people…. your favorite team when it is winning. When people learn to see how easy it is to be inspired by life, there won’t be this kind of list.

  • Mitch Cumsteen, Nightputter

    Who is really spiritual? The people that are filled with spirit, elan and compassion for others? Or, is this a spirit of holy ghost? Who brings a rise in emotion…Palin and Obama. Who considers themself as emotional leader… O’Rieley and Okra. Who brings out the spirit in people…. your favorite team when it is winning. When people learn to see how easy it is to be inspired by life, there won’t be this kind of list.

  • Flowerpower333

    I agree with John Flax. Oprah is not spirtiual. The only one I think they got right on this list is dalai lama…First I think this list reduicules sprirtiual people. Second if there were a list it be people more significant than the people listed. For example, Buddah, Dalai Lama,Martain L. King, The Beatles, Mother Teressa, Ganhandi those are the most significant people who have changed world history

  • Flowerpower333

    I agree with John Flax. Oprah is not spirtiual. The only one I think they got right on this list is dalai lama…First I think this list reduicules sprirtiual people. Second if there were a list it be people more significant than the people listed. For example, Buddah, Dalai Lama,Martain L. King, The Beatles, Mother Teressa, Ganhandi those are the most significant people who have changed world history

  • DeepCough

    Some of these great “spiritualists” are some of the biggest con men (and women) and the biggest media demagogues in the world.

  • DeepCough

    Some of these great “spiritualists” are some of the biggest con men (and women) and the biggest media demagogues in the world.

  • Cultureshock1104

    And at least exercise equipment will eventually come out of the closet.

  • God

    How did I not make this list? What is WRONG with you people!

  • God

    How did I not make this list? What is WRONG with you people!

  • Cass

    In at no.34 is Ratzinger – interesting. Are the 33 listed above him more influential? Sadly I doubt that’s the case.
    Have to agree with the poster who questions if spirtual and influential really do have much correlation.

  • Cass

    In at no.34 is Ratzinger – interesting. Are the 33 listed above him more influential? Sadly I doubt that’s the case.
    Have to agree with the poster who questions if spirtual and influential really do have much correlation.

  • O’Neill

    How does one measure “sprituality?” Is it through deed, works, or publishings? Or is it though the grammage of “spirit juice?” Dan Brown’s power level is OVER 9000!!!!

  • O’Neill

    How does one measure “sprituality?” Is it through deed, works, or publishings? Or is it though the grammage of “spirit juice?” Dan Brown’s power level is OVER 9000!!!!

  • 5by5

    I don’t know who 4 out of 10 of those people are. And I’m not sure why I should care about “how spiritual” the rest of them are.

  • 5by5

    I don’t know who 4 out of 10 of those people are. And I’m not sure why I should care about “how spiritual” the rest of them are.

  • Jim

    I agree, what the hell is the definition of spirituality anyways?

    This list looks like “Forbes 100 of the Richest and Most Spiritual People” issue.

  • Sim

    why such bad language it is not needed but who am i to judge i am not the one who gave you life but God bless you and your love ones because we are all brothers and sisters.

  • Sim

    Oprah have done alot for my people and as we are all living in Gods world we are all brothers and sisters so lets repect each other God bless you and your love ones

  • Sim

    God bless your negative heart. http://www.mylifemymessage.com

  • Fdelbagno

    You got it right….Eckhart is #1…of course he would not agree.
    We are all one.

  • Fdelbagno

    You got it right….Eckhart is #1…of course he would not agree.
    We are all one.

  • Ljjblfvb

    please take oprah out of this !!

  • Ljjblfvb

    please take oprah out of this !!

  • The House of Madness

    Pretty much what I expected.

  • The House of Madness

    Pretty much what I expected.

  • Parmar Praveen

    I wonder there is no name from India without name of OSHO this list seems childish

  • Parmar Praveen

    I wonder there is no name from India without name of OSHO this list seems childish

  • Cleanandsober

    Oprah!?! You GOTTA be Kidding Me!

  • Cleanandsober

    Oprah!?! You GOTTA be Kidding Me!