Latest news with #selfdevelopment
Forbes
3 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
‘Psychology Of Winning' Pioneer Denis Waitley Dead At 92
Dr. Denis Waitley, speaking on the Psychology of Winning, at the Wentworth Hotel, June 27, 1980. ... More (Photo by Paul Stephen Pearson/Fairfax Media via Getty Images). Famed motivational psychologist Dr. Denis Waitley died in his sleep on June 7th, 2025. He was a major player in a new phenomenon that arose in America – the motivational rally. In auditoriums and convention centers, businesspeople, educators, salespeople, and homemakers gathered to hear speakers such as Norman Vincent Peale, Zig Ziglar, and Art Linkletter, among others, extol the virtues of positive thinking, unbridled optimism, and hard work. Waitley's The Psychology of Winning self-development program would go on to sell over two million copies and capture the hearts of many baby boomer age adherents, eager to carve out their place in the world. Waitley's message was built on his study of the traits that high-achieving people have in common. As a young magazine journalist, I interviewed Waitley in 1982 and asked him which characteristic, above all others, seemed to define winners from the rest of the pack? 'It's their understanding of the degree of control that their thoughts have over the actions that follow in their lives," he said. "Whether they are astronauts, parents, or prisoners of war, these individuals have taken responsibility for their actions. The deepest, most significant choice we make is in the way we choose to think." The difference between winners and losers, Waitley taught, was in what he called a person's 'self-talk.' 'The mind is talking to itself constantly at some eight hundred words per minute. Winners, he found, think constantly in terms of 'I can,' "I will,' and 'I am,' while losers concentrate their waking thoughts on what they should have or would have done, or what they can't do. When our self-talk is positive, Waitley observed, the mind then goes to work instructing the body to carry out the performance of the thought as if it had already been achieved before and is merely being repeated. Waitley would go on to sell these ideas and many others to audiences of self-improvers worldwide. He spent more than four decades on the international speaking circuit, logging an average of 500,000 miles each year, helping people—from astronauts to Olympic athletes, corporate leaders to schoolchildren—redefine success from the inside out. Waitley's clients included everyone from members of the U.S. Olympic team to Super Bowl champions, as well as scores of corporate clients. Waitley was the former Chairman of Psychology for the U.S. Olympic Committee's Sports Medicine Council and authored 16 books, including classics such as Seeds of Greatness, The Winner's Edge, and Empires of the Mind. He was invited to join NASA's astronaut training program, where he worked with space shuttle crews on mental preparation. Around the same time, he began coaching elite athletes on visualization techniques. He popularized the use of guided imagery and mental rehearsal long before it became mainstream. His speeches—delivered with laid-back authority, a radio announcer's voice, and self-effacing storytelling—centered on mental toughness, personal responsibility, and visions of a brighter future. Forty years after my interview with Waitley, his observations ring relevant today. When asked to summarize his primary message, he responded: 'The period we're living in is no worse than any other period in history, and probably better. Since society is changing rapidly, it's up to the individual to view change as normal, and to see many of the changes taking place as positive rather than negative.' Yet behind the inspiring keynotes and bestselling books was a man whose private life was marked by turmoil. Born in 1942, Waitley grew up in Depression-era San Diego, California. His mother worked in a factory, and his father was a warehouseman. They soon divorced. 'One night my father came into our bedroom to say goodbye,' Waitley recalled in an interview with Success Magazine. 'We didn't see him again for six years.' Waitley's struggle to break free of a loser mindset and shift into an abundant winner's mindset propelled his determination to make something of himself. 'I wrote The Psychology of Winning while I was losing,' Waitley recalled. 'I wanted to remind myself what I needed to do to change myself from loser to winner.'
Entrepreneur
4 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How Entrepreneurship Can Disconnect You From Your Inner Self
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. There's something powerful about creating and designing your own business that gives us entrepreneurs a sense of pride and accomplishment. From the earliest days of planning out a product or service to building the marketing strategy to landing your very first contract, each of those moments began with a design. And it's this design that's held near our innermost parts — the reason we often call our businesses our babies. We put so much thought into how we want our brand and business to be perceived, so much so that we stay up at night working long days and fine-tuning every aspect of our brand. All the while, we're losing sleep, not eating right, or worse, our stresses alter our perception of ourselves. A question that recently came up in a conversation with colleagues was, "How did I become this person? When and where did I change throughout this process?" After we've built businesses and developed well-defined brands, how did we lose steam when designing ourselves? What does it mean to design yourself? Well, we are human, not business entities after all. However, much of our inner selves is heavily designed and shaped by our environments, childhoods, life experiences and relationships. And adding on to that, the changes that can take place during the times we're focused on business and work can sneak up on us, which is when we tend to disconnect from the person we were before designing our business. The disconnect can feel like a place of unfamiliarity and stagnation. There is good news: When we take back control of this design, it can lead to massive transformations. Related: How This Female Founder Never Lost Herself When Starting a Successful Business Who really designed you? As I talked with that colleague about who we've become over the years, she said she didn't recognize this person who had become so wrapped up in work anymore. We chatted about the topic longer, and I listened as she dissected all of the voices and experiences that have shaped this new person — someone she didn't like. I asked a simple question, "Who do you say that you are?" She was stunned and stumbled over her words a bit. It became apparent to me that the inner self often gets neglected while we're designing other aspects of our lives — especially our businesses. We're told things like, "You don't have the skills for that," or "You're not a good fit" or my favorite, "I don't see the value in your service." Ouch. These phrases can sting, or worse, leave gaps where our minds try to fill in with assumptions and negative thoughts. Sit for a moment and think about how anything you've heard from clients, competitors or naysayers might've translated into your inner design. How do you feel about that? Do you believe the things that have been said? Taking control of your design Regaining control over your inner design may sound like a daunting task. But don't be discouraged! While I can't promise overnight results, I'll offer some tips that may help you dig deeper into this phenomenon and hopefully push you to think about how to take back control of your design. 1. Self-reflect: What traits do you love about yourself? What traits do you want to improve upon? Why do you like certain parts of yourself, or why not? Really start thinking about these questions and forming answers that you believe in. For example, during a training session years ago when I was selling jewelry, I was coached on how to approach customers. I was told that I was too quiet and passive. I needed to be more aggressive if I wanted to see sales conversions. The feedback was a little more harsh than that, if I recall! I went home and was upset for a while, thinking, "I don't like aggressive sales tactics." Why? Because I knew that I wouldn't like it as a customer, so why would I do it to others? In short, I decided that I liked the way I sold. Low pressure and listening to what the customer wanted was my method. And guess what? Within just a few months, I had become the highest-selling gold jewelry salesperson. I didn't want my coach's voice dictating who I needed to be in order to be successful. Ask yourself the hard questions, give yourself an answer and live it. Related: Are You Living Your Most Authentic Self? 2. Question your motives: Why are you working so hard? Who are you trying to impress? Are you working on a relationship for the wrong reasons? Yes, this is more reflection with a twist! What I've found over the years is that often our motives can tell us a lot about who we are. Our motives are held close to our chests, and we rarely reveal them to others. But if we practice the art of questioning why we do what we do, we might find that our motives could be holding us back from living our true design. As an example, I was in a situation where I wasn't quite getting what I wanted out of a relationship in a new field. You see, I was just starting to become familiar with folks in the fashion scene here in Chicago, and I was going to multiple events per day. It was burning me out. I had to stop and ask myself: Why was I doing this? My answer shifted something inside me. I peeled back an answer — a truth that I felt I wasn't well known — I was a nobody in the fashion world. And I was living for a world that, in part, I had built up within my mind. I felt the need to show up as much as possible so I could get ahead in this "world." I was draining myself and putting stress on people close to me with the motive of trying to appear as a fashion person. I listened to the voice telling me that I was nobody. My motive made me realize that I wasn't truly in control of my design. I was trying to appear as someone I was not (I changed my focus to building solid relationships authentically). Relationships with boundaries that I dictate. Question your motives and answer honestly. The answer might take some time to come to you. When it does reveal itself, things in your life might begin to make more sense. 3. Practice saying the positive out loud: Yes, say it out loud into the world. Imagine your business growing in a void — it can't! Your business grew and developed because you spoke about its design, you shared your ideas, and you were excited to explore everything your business had to offer the world. Now, when we think about ourselves, how often do we say things in our heads (some good, but mostly bad)? Get out of your head. Find those things you like about yourself and say them out loud. Create an inner-self elevator pitch that you feel good about repeating. For a practical example that doesn't just involve repeating affirmations in a mirror or regurgitating items on your resume, try speaking things out loud as if you were speaking on behalf of yourself to a new person. Try saying something like, "DeAnna has a quiet confidence, and she really holds herself to a high standard in life. You can trust her because she's a pretty honest person." Oh, I'm blushing! Compare this type of self-dialogue to, "I have strong client services experience, and I've helped companies navigate internal concerns. I have excellent communication skills. I am kind, and loved, and I deserve this life!" Bleh, generic (I mean absolutely no offense to you if these are your affirmations). If you've been able to get through steps one and two, you will be able to speak honestly and truthfully about your inner design. You'll be able to speak from a place that is real — a place that you love. Related: 6 Essential Mantras to Refocus Your Life and Business The power of your inner design This is the power that allows you to walk into a business meeting, an interview, a prospect call or any room and confidently know who you are, regardless of what others may think. You can be the big fish; you can be the pond for all I know. You can be the person you've designed. Building on the conversation I had with my friend, even someone who feels they've lost their sense of identity can still design and create who they want to be. It's called storytelling for a reason; you tell the story of you. Being in a strong state of awareness is a major power source that has driven some of the most influential people in history to their success. That same power is something you have access to. And it starts with your thoughtful design. As entrepreneurs, we can't just wander through business — we'll be walked over. I personally don't want that for any of you. I want to see you all living the design of your life to the best of your ability. Keep in mind that your design may require some updates and improvements along the way. As long as you remain in control of those changes, you won't lose yourself again. How would you design your inner self? Or, how do you like your current design?
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Leveraging Your Experience And Expertise To Build Your Own Economy
Michelle Gines | Author | Speaker | Coach | CEO of Purpose Publishing. Traditional career paths are no longer the only way to achieve financial security and a sense of purpose. The rise of the knowledge economy has empowered individuals to harness their unique blend of education, experience and expertise to forge their own economic destinies. This shift is not merely a trend but a fundamental transformation in how value is created and sustained in the modern world. For years, I've worked in corporate settings, gaining experience in marketing, communications and strategy. But it wasn't until I began to intentionally package my knowledge into services, programs and publishing solutions that I fully realized the power of leveraging what I already had: my education, lived experience and professional skill set. I've met too many brilliant, capable individuals who didn't realize their expertise could be turned into economic opportunity. This article is both a reflection of what I've learned and a call to action—to encourage others to stop undervaluing their own story and start building something sustainable with it. It's not just about making money. It's about building confidence, freedom and generational impact through what you already know. That's the heart of economic self-empowerment and the reason I'm committed to helping others walk that path. Education plays a vital role in an individual's ability to create economic opportunity. It equips people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to adapt, innovate and contribute meaningfully across industries. But economic empowerment isn't solely driven by formal education—it also stems from a commitment to lifelong learning. In today's fast-moving landscape, those who continually sharpen their skills and stay current with industry changes are more likely to remain competitive and resilient. Whether through professional development, mentorship or self-guided learning, the pursuit of knowledge positions individuals to grow, lead and build financial stability on their own terms. Experience is one of the most powerful yet often overlooked drivers of innovation. While academic credentials are important, the insights gained from years of hands-on work offer a unique advantage. Those who've spent time navigating real-world challenges develop a keen understanding of what works, what doesn't and where opportunities for improvement exist. This depth of knowledge becomes a strategic asset when launching new ideas or ventures. Many professionals draw on their experience to identify gaps in the market, anticipate customer needs and create practical solutions. Their relationships, instincts and industry know-how often form the foundation for innovations that are both relevant and impactful. Expertise, the specialized knowledge acquired through education and experience, is a valuable commodity in the modern economy. Professionals can monetize their expertise by offering consulting services, creating online courses, writing books or speaking at industry events. The key is to identify a niche where one's expertise addresses specific needs or challenges faced by a target audience. Platforms like LinkedIn and Medium have made it easier than ever to share insights and establish thought leadership. By consistently providing valuable content, professionals can build a following, attract clients and create multiple income streams. • Identify your unique value proposition. Take a close look at your education, experience, and expertise to uncover what truly sets you apart. What problems are you uniquely equipped to solve? Who would benefit most from your insights or support? Align your strengths with skills that are currently in high demand, such as digital marketing, data analysis, project management, UX design, automation tools, AI integration and strategic communication. This alignment positions you to serve with purpose and stay relevant in a constantly evolving marketplace. • Develop a personal brand. Create a cohesive online presence that showcases your skills and accomplishments. Use social media, blogs and professional networks to share your insights and connect with your target audience. • Offer value-driven services or products. Design offerings that address specific needs within your niche. This could include coaching programs, workshops, digital products or consulting services. • Embrace technology. Technology is no longer just a support system—it's the backbone of modern entrepreneurship. From automating administrative tasks to optimizing customer experiences, digital tools can help you operate more efficiently and reach broader audiences. • Adopt a lifelong learning mindset. Your past experience and education are valuable, but you need to keep your skills updated to maintain relevance and authority. Seek out new knowledge and learn from industry thought leaders, adapting your skillset in response to emerging tools, technologies and consumer expectations. One of the most powerful examples I can share is from my work is a first-time author who initially came to us simply wanting to publish a children's book. Through our process, we helped her see that her message wasn't just meant for the page—it was the foundation for a mission-driven brand with the potential to impact readers, families and global communities. What started as a single book became a platform. Within months, her book earned multiple international awards, opened doors to speaking engagements and inspired her to launch initiatives that aligned with her purpose—donating all 2024 proceeds to charity and expanding her message into educational spaces across the UAE and beyond. I've experienced the same shift in my own journey—transitioning from corporate marketing to founding Purpose Publishing and guiding others through Expertise Unleashed. The key is helping people recognize that their education, life experience and expertise are more than personal milestones—they are launchpads. When strategically packaged, they become powerful tools for influence, impact and income. In an era where traditional employment models are shifting, leveraging your education, experience and expertise to create your own economy is not just viable but imperative. By recognizing and harnessing your unique value, you can build a sustainable and fulfilling career path that aligns with your passions and strengths. The tools and platforms available today make it more accessible than ever to transform your knowledge into economic opportunity. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Forbes
4 days ago
- General
- Forbes
3 Signs That You Thrive When You're Single, By A Psychologist
Singlehood isn't all good or all bad. It's a complex experience in a society that puts romantic ... More relationships on a pedestal. Despite this, here's how some people thrive in it. Are you good at being single? While singlehood has its ups and downs for everyone, some people find it more difficult than the rest, while others find it a lot easier than being in a relationship. So, what determines this relationship with singlehood? A new study published this June in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships offers us some answers. Researchers echo the sentiment that singlehood can be a complex experience, with both benefits and challenges, depending on your own perspective and social environment. Researchers interviewed 11 single adults of diverse ages and ethnic backgrounds about these complexities, and gained three primary insights into how it impacts them. Here are three signs that you find singlehood beneficial, more often than not, based on the study. One belief that often impacts how we feel about singlehood is around the 'appropriate age' to be single. Driven by societal expectations, many people believe that there's a 'right' time to be single — when you're young and chasing ambitious career goals or self-development, but not when you're older. When you're older, it's suddenly cause for concern. 'Especially in the cultural background I come from, I would definitely say as soon as you finish what you think is education, so it could be a bachelor's or a master's, and then the second you go into a full-time job, then all of a sudden there's a switch…then you should be actively looking to end your singlehood,' explains Diya, a 23 year old participant from the study. Our personal experiences and tendencies can fuel these feelings of inadequacy around singlehood. Recent research shows that about 78% of single adults tend to have an insecure attachment style, which is often characterized by either a strong need for reassurance or hyper-independence and a fear of vulnerability, abandonment and rejection. This type of attachment style can shape one's self-esteem and ideas around worthiness and love. For many such individuals, singlehood appears to confirm their deepest fears of being unlovable or unwanted, even though that's not the case. This can be especially difficult for singles who seek a romantic partner, but haven't yet found one. 'I would definitely not be happy if I'm single and 50. At that point you should have some kids and (be) in a healthy relationship,' says Theo, a 28 year old participant from the June study. The researchers found that as we get older, there's a tipping point that many people experience, where they either decide to wholly invest in their identity as a single person or focus on 'settling down' with someone. This can be an ongoing process through various life stages. 'I don't prefer being single, but if I have no choice then I'll be single and I'll be happy,' says Evelyn, a 43 year old participant from the study. So, it appears that those who are aware of their worthiness of companionship, but tend to not impose timelines on themselves for when it's appropriate to find a partner, likely fare better at being single. 'Our findings highlight that singles could reduce the incongruency between single status and age expectations by viewing singlehood as a legitimate lifestyle choice that requires investment (e.g., investing in friendships or hobbies) and rebuff beliefs that romantic relationships are a necessary first step for certain life goals,' the researchers explain. Researchers found that single participants often felt that a romantic connection happens at the expense of one's individual autonomy, and many struggled with balancing the need for both in their lives. 'Starting a relationship it's like 'hey I have limited time' because obviously I have work, I have family time, I have professional goals. I want to go to grad school. I love reading. I love doing my own thing,' mentions Carlos, a 24 year old participant from the study. Many single people feel torn between retaining the autonomy they believe singlehood offers them and wanting the deep sense of connection they believe only a romantic partner can bring them. 'I feel like in a relationship (with a) partner it's much more close together (than) with friends and family. (A romantic) someone that you could turn to and talk to – that is deeper and more intimate than just friends and family,' says Sean, another 24 year old participant from the study. However, research shows that relationships actually thrive when both partners experience autonomy in their connection, and singlehood does not have to mean a lack of deep connection either. In fact, many single people have deeply fulfilling platonic relationships, and this love and support is invaluable. A 2021 study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that single people who experience greater satisfaction in their friendships also experience greater satisfaction with singlehood. For many, singlehood offers the opportunity to invest more time and energy into sustaining these relationships, which is, in turn, beneficial to their own well-being. So, a strong support system and fulfilling connections play a crucial role in finding joy in singlehood. Many single people struggle with the societal pressure to find a partner. To find solace in singlehood, researchers suggest that they must consciously and unconsciously reject these norms. Many participants reported being reminded of their singlehood indirectly, due to their social environments. 'In group (chats) it's all about (people) in marriages or they're pregnant or they bought a house with their partner. I think that for me at least (it) emphasizes my singlehood,' says Nicole, a 32 year old participant from the study. Other participants recalled how people around them made direct comments about their singlehood, treating it as a phase that must end, rather than a completely natural and acceptable path of life. Martin, a 56 year old participant who was divorced, highlighted how this played out in his social circles. '(Work colleagues) once in a while get into the subject 'well you want me to introduce (you) to my friend?' … there is a little bit of maybe we should help him,' he explains. 'My mother in the beginning was saying 'well you should remarry you shouldn't be alone,' but as (the) years passed she kind of stopped asking. Once in a while she asks am I still alone, (and) yes I am still alone, (and) once in a while she would kind of say something — 'well this isn't good you should find someone,' Martin adds. Being single in a society that glamorizes romantic love is no easy feat, but it can be deeply liberating and fulfilling to many, especially those who break free of the confines of social expectations around relationships. There is nothing deficient, unnatural or pitiful about being single, as we're often led to believe. In fact, a healthy relationship with singlehood indicates a deeply healthy relationship with yourself. And whether you're single or partnered, the knowledge that a romantic relationship isn't the be-all and end-all of your life can truly set you free. Does a fear of being single ever keep you up at night? Take this science-backed test to find out how you're faring: Fear Of Being Single Scale
The Independent
12-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Meet the men who say their threesomes were sanctioned by God
In recent years, a resurgence of New Age belief systems and an interest in wellness has given rise to a new kind of lexicon. Many of us now talk about relationships with friends, family, and partners through the lens of spirituality. We talk about our intuition, divine timing, and the 'energy' that others project as though these concepts are intrinsic to us all. For some, these concepts are a no-brainer. Some people simply find it much easier to understand, plan and justify their own behaviours and those of others by applying a framework rooted in spirituality and self-help. Star signs, love languages, human design – these frameworks are all common in New Age thinking and often blend psychology, religious symbolism and other modern philosophies about self-worth, purpose and connection created by self-development gurus. But while I fully understand why people embrace this kind of thing, especially in an uncertain and anxiety-inducing world, there can be a dark side to New Age beliefs and the spiritual language they rely on, especially when it comes to our relationships. On social media, the number of influencers who promote ideas about sacred or spiritual sexuality is rising. You might have seen them posting about divine unions, twin flames and the 'divine masculine'. 'Spiritual sexuality is an ancient practice that dates back thousands of years. It contextualises sex as sacred, infusing the act with deeper meaning and ritualising it through a set sequence of actions and prayer or intention setting,' explains sexologist Aisha Paris Smith, who works with individuals and couples to improve their sexual wellbeing. But, explains tantra expert Henika Patel, although these New Age concepts are rooted in the Vedic tradition of tantra, most of these modern interpretations are very far from the original ideas touted by Indian philosophers. For example, the concept of 'divine physical union' comes from the path of something dubbed 'neo-tantra'. 'It's important to recognise that neo-tantra is a New Age concept and does not represent traditional tantra, which is a spiritual and mystical path stemming from the 6th century in India.' says Patel. 'It seems that much like yoga was transported and commercialised for 'stretching', this element of tantra has been cherry-picked and transported for 'sex'.' For some, the idea of sacred sexuality is both empowering and freeing – particularly in a culture that demonises sexual expression and where fear and abstinence-based sex education still exist. Social media accounts that instruct women on how to step into their 'goddess era' and channel their 'divine feminine' now amass millions of followers on social media and there are thousands of influencers selling coaching courses that teach followers how to channel spiritual sexual energy and connect more deeply with a partner. 'Tantra bros' seem to be all over social media these days and while most have noble intentions, others seem to be selling ideas that veer on a blueprint for how to coax women into sex. It harks back to the pick-up artists of the early noughties, but instead of advice to 'wear a memorable outfit' or 'be negative about her looks' the advice is now to 'tell the woman she's used her heavenly light to power your sacral chakra'. Influencers like Aubrey Marcus – outspoken podcaster and Joe Rogan's ex-business partner – have recently been criticised for posting about their 'sacred relationships' online. In his own podcast, Marcus claimed that a divine message was delivered to him. The message told him to open Raya, meet a woman and then open his marriage. Essentially, God said, 'be in a throuple'. Many spiritual sexuality influencers justify fairly mundane actions, interests and proclivities using New Age jargon and they encourage us to do the same. However, this presents an issue. Presenting sexual desires as 'sacred' could hold the door open for predators to use the language of spirituality and self-help to coerce, manipulate and potentially harm others. Men have used the 'message from god' excuse to manifest and justify relationship dynamics and sexual behaviours across myriad cultures for centuries. Many so-called gurus have ended up behind bars as a result. However, we have the New Age boom to thank for a new particularly toxic form of sexual coercion and exploitation disguised as empowerment. The idea that a person might frame sexual access to another person as a holy pilgrimage and justify that access according to God's plan could be seen as worrying at best and, at worst, predatory. 'It's important to distinguish a 'subjective spiritual experience' with 'universal spiritual principles' and question whether a statement is a human desire wrapped in spiritual jargon,' says Patel. The kinds of men who use the New Age lexicon of sex positivity and sacred union to serve their own desires are usually engaging in what's known as spiritual bypassing – a term coined by American psychotherapist John Welwood. Bypassing describes the way in which spiritual beliefs and practices can be used to mask problematic behaviours. Men who use spiritual bypassing to access certain relationship dynamics without accountability are all too common in spiritual circles and the wellness landscape. I know this because I have met so many of them. I have seen a lack of self-control, a shirking of personal responsibility and a tendency to coerce and mistreat members of a wider community validated by hyper-individualistic healing journeys and presented as a form of enlightenment and higher consciousness. Setting a boundary, especially a physical one, will often see you labelled as 'un-evolved' or 'repressed' by these kinds of men. 'There is unfortunately, a high level of abuse of power in the spiritual communities, particularly where there is a hierarchy, imbalance of power or implied moral authority, at the cost of invalidations of feelings, agency or experience of others,' says Patel. Patel explains that this also becomes problematic due to 'the influence and power involved.' She urges an awareness of 'language being used to avoid accountability, promote power imbalance, manipulate actions, undermine consent or cause emotional or energetic harm. Especially, when the person using it has any kind of 'superiority' or influence'.' 'There is a growing awareness between new age spirituality being a mask for predatory behaviour,' agrees Paris Smith. 'In many spiritual circles, there's a pattern where mostly men in positions of spiritual authority will use spiritual language to justify sexual boundary violations. This can include claims such as their penis is a healing force, or that a spirit told them to act or a woman's discomfort speaks to her lack of spiritual development.' Justifying your desires and behaviour, or your urge to use a dating app, on the basis that a divinity has willed it is exactly why many New Age spiritual concepts, especially those related to sexuality, receive bad press.. The sad part about all this is that sacred sexuality can be an incredible tool for deepening a partnership, growing confidence, and removing the element of shame from your relationship with sex and your body. But when those we used to call out for reading The Game are now using these New Age concepts to their own self-gratifying ends, they may not be as enlightened as they think they are and we should be wary.
