Book Review – Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

As an avid reader of personal growth and holistic health books for over 30 years, I thought it was time to finally read one of Wayne Dyer’s books.  Somehow his titles had not attracted my attention enough in the past to persuade me to buy one.  I loved the title of this book and knowing what a force he has become in the field of personal development, I was ready for something great. 

I agree in theory with many of the concepts presented in this book.  Yet I found contradictions that didn’t make sense.  For example, in his 12-step program to simplicity in Chapter 8, step 9 says “Do everything you can to eschew debt” and step 10 says to “Forget about the Cash Value”.  Not only do these seem contradictory, but they really don’t work for most people unless they are largely financially independent.

At the end of each chapter he has a section called “Some Suggestions for Putting the Ideas in this Chapter to Work for You”.  I found his suggestions to be rather bland and theoretical, without much more practical application than the chapters he applied them to.

I really wanted to love this book but to be honest, I would have to say it is rather generic.  He quotes so many others throughout the book, and some of the quotes are great, but he lacks inspiring quotes of his own (no pun intended).

I try to finish any book I start but found myself eager to get through with this one.  It just didn’t have that special something that would make it unique and great.  It seemed mostly to be a recital of the author’s lifestyle, preferences, good deeds and celebrity connections.  In addition, I found the tone of writing to be a bit condescending.

This book is good but not special.  The parts I enjoyed most were the numerous quotes from other authors or thinkers, not the words of the author himself. 

Much more inspiring, I believe, are Conversations With God: An Uncommon Dialog (Book 2), Happier Than God: Turn Ordinary Moments into an Extraordinary Experience or The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment.