"We are all spiritual beings having a human experience. Our inherent and shared humanity, our divine souls, our inherent goodness-these are the things we should see first." - Rainn Wilson
Soul Boom is a deep dive into spirtuality, the history of religions, and the Notorious G.O.D. (as Rainn calls God). The book starts out by explaining why we need a spiritual revolution. It outlines all that is wrong with the world and explores the idea of creating the perfect religion by combining the good aspects that all religions have in common.
This book is well-researched, educational, at times humerous, and thought-provoking. Rainn openly discusses his past struggles with life and religion. He shares the lessons he's learned on his spiritual journey to help others explore their beliefs and grow in whatever spiritual path they decide to take.
"Our overarching purpose is pure and simple: soul growth." - Rainn Wilson
The two messages that stood out to me in the book are our continual need to grow spiritually and the need to unite for the for the greater good of humanity. These themes resonate deeply in today's complex world, urging us to seek inner growth while fostering compassion and cooperation on a global scale.
One chapter in the book is devoted to exploring what is sacred in our modern world. Rainn talks about his experience traveling to Isreal to visit the shrine of Bahji, the final resting place of the founder of his religion, Baha'i. Being in this sacred place gave him a sense of peace and clarity. Here is what he wrote about his return from the trip:
"I remember a few days after coming back home, sitting in my car on a Los Angeles freeway, my phone buzzing with alerts, and how I felt a longing for those precious hours in that consecrated place. I wondered if I would ever experience anything like that again. My perspective had shifted, and my heart had been opened..." - Rainn Wilson
As a former Angeleno myself, this resignated with me so much. I know that feeling. I went on a trip to Costa Rica and vowed not to turn my phone on the entire two weeks. That was the most peaceful and renewing trip I've ever taken. I vividly remember switching my phone back on as I boarded the plane back to LA, and in that moment, the feeling of tranquility vanished.
We live in a fast world that rarely gives us a chance to pause and take in the beauty of it all. Rainn's argument rings true: we need to identify those things that we hold sacred and prioritize them. Whether it's attending church on Sunday, spending more time in nature, or simply enjoying a family dinner, Rainn challenges us to take a moment to cultivate joy in our hearts and minds, and to do it regularly.
Speaking of joy, I appreciate Rainn addressing the topic of the constant pressure to maintain a positive outlook at all times. Setbacks and challenges will always be a part of life. He suggests instead of pushing for perpetual happiness, we should strive to discover joy in our lives.
"Joy, however, inherently acknowledges sorrow. It doesn't disregard the hard stuff....Joy is a superpower! It gives us strength, clarity, and resilience, and it helps us find our path, especially in helping others." - Rainn Wilson
The final message in the book is unity. Rainn eloquently describes the interconnectedness of all beings on this planet. Despite efforts by modern culture to divide us based on various factors such as lifestyle, location, politics, and religion, Rainn sees the spiritual revolution as an opportunity to look beyond these differences and unite as members of one beautiful world. I found the messages in this book refreshing. If you want to explore your spirituality and learn some interesting facts about the religions of the world, this book is for you.
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