Guru Ratings
Tony Robbins
Bad.
Remember my ratings criteria. I’m not judging these gurus on “global” or moral values, but very specific criteria. Many of my favorite books would be rated “bad” by my criteria for self-help (probably, because they are not self-help books). My ratings don’t reflect how well an author met his own goals, but how well they met my criteria for useful, accurate self-help.
Robbins is known for his pricy seminars, which have all the pomp of a revival meeting. Attendees are invited to firewalk, learn NLP, and use applied kinesiology (a big scam).
Robbins endorses ridiculous “resonance-enhancing” Q-Link products.
He also pulls stunts like this: He’ll invite an audience member on stage and instruct, “Feel centered and grounded.” Robbins will try to lift the subject a few itmes and be unable to, then praise the subject for becoming more stable. Amazing!
Awaken the Giant Within (1992)
Motivational bullshit. “Change can be instant! You have unstoppable power! You can change everything!” But it’s dressed up like scientific how-to. He offers a “proven course” for total mastery of oneself and one’s world.
Unlimited Power (1997)
The same old charade. If you didn’t laugh when you read the title, you need some critical thinking skills.