Did you hear the one about Katy Perry going to space? It sounds like the start of a bad joke. Given the public have pretty much labelled her space trip exactly that, it has been interesting to witness the endless production of memes since Katy touched down and kissed the earth. But my interest is not so much in what Katy did but what Katy said. You see, celebrities are often quite guarded when it comes to regurgitating the nonsense that rolls about in their mind. But get them at the right moment and they will often reveal their thoughts, which provides greater insight into the belief system that drives them.
Like many celebrities, Katy’s stage name is different to her birth name. She was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson. But since the entertainment industry already had one Kate Hudson, she felt it was necessary to adopt her mother’s maiden name, hence becoming Katy Perry. Speaking of her parents, Katy describes being raised in a conservative Christian home, even recording music as a Christian artist initially, before transitioning into the godless secular music industry. Like many celebrities who speak about their Christian upbringing, it is difficult to ascertain Katy’s sincerely held beliefs when it comes to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. However, what is very telling is the contrast between Katy’s reaction to being in space to that of astronaut Butch Wilmore. Butch, a Christian, spoke at length about the beauty of God’s creation, marveling at how vast the universe is compared to how small a single man is. Katy, on the other hand, made her experience all about herself. Butch gave the glory to God. Katy wanted the glory for herself.
After exiting the space capsule, Katy was asked by a journalist how she would describe her overall experience. In response, Katy claimed that her space trip was as beneficial to her as meditation and the Hoffman Process, also going on to say that she now feels very connected to the divine feminine. The dangers of New Age meditation are well documented, but many believers may not be so familiar with the Hoffman Process or the “divine feminine”. So, let’s correct that.
The Hoffman Process was developed by Bob Hoffman beginning in 1967. According to The Hoffman Institute website it is: “a week-long residential and personal growth retreat that helps participants identify negative behaviors, moods, and ways of thinking that developed unconsciously and were conditioned in childhood. The Process will help you become conscious of and disconnected from negative patterns of thought and behavior on emotional, intellectual, and physical levels in order to make significant positive changes in your life on a spiritual level. You will learn to remove habitual ways of thinking and behaving, align with your authentic self, and respond to situations in your life from a place of conscious choice.” Hoffman also trademarked a symbol which he calls a “Quadrinity”. According to him it: “represents the wholeness of Self: The circle represents the Body; the large vertical diamond in the middle represents the Spirit; the 2 smaller horizontal diamond shapes represent the Intellect and Emotions. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
Hoffman, in his essay entitled A Path to Personal Freedom and Love wrote: “Much has been written about those who, near death, recall emerging from darkness into a magnificent, loving light, with peace and love awaiting them. Many people have searched for ways to connect and have communion with this Light through various forms of spiritual practice. In 1976, I came to understand that because we are of this Light, we should be able to communicate and make contact with it directly and at will, without intermediaries.” Joan Borysenko (current advisory council member) gave this testimony about her experience, describing it as “holy work”: “This was due to one of the first experiences of the week, the ‘Light Journey.’ In this powerful visualization we were brought into the presence of the Light (God, or however you understand the source of your being) and our own wise, compassionate, loving, spiritual self…All of my classmates experienced the Light Journey as a spiritual homecoming, a re-awakening to their own true nature…And we didn’t go into it alone. During the Light Journey we also met our spirit guides, or guardian angels.” May I remind you what 2 Corinthians 11:14 says: And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
The development of the Hoffman Process is not credited to Bob Hoffman alone. He sought input from many sources, notably from Chilean psychiatrist Claudio Naranjo, who mainstreamed the use of the Enneagram in Western psycho-spiritual treatments. Hoffman’s work continues through the Hoffman Institute (Bob died in 1997) and retains this collaborative approach through an advisory board which contains an eclectic mix of New Agers, psychics and spiritual advisors. Ken Blanchard is one such advisor. Since the Hoffman Process relies heavily on spirituality, it is not surprising to see them seek the support and advice of spiritual advisors who will promote and advance Hoffman’s work. According to material distributed by the Hoffman Institute: “Spirituality is also key in explaining the potential HP [Hoffman Process] has to make people rely on their inner self and to enhance trust and self-confidence. In the words of Dr. Ken Blanchard: ‘The Hoffman Process brings forth spiritual leadership in a person.’”
Dr Blanchard professes to be a follower of Jesus Christ and has written many books, including one with Rick Warren. However, his involvement with the Hoffman Institute demonstrates that he has a serious lack of discernment, particularly when he promotes spiritual health and growth via a process, not a Person (Jesus). You see, the quote used in the Hoffman Institute material above was not the full quote. The full quote (which was used in endorsing The Hoffman Process book written by Tim Laurence) is: “The Hoffman Process brings forth spiritual leadership in a person. It made my spirituality come alive. Through the Hoffman Process I actually brought my faith into my daily actions.” As believers, we must trust in the Word of God and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to stimulate our faith, not some pseudoscientific nonsense!
Alarmingly, Dr Blanchard wrote a foreword to a book written by Franz Metcalf entitled What Would Buddha Do at Work? He wrote: “I look for inspirational messages from a variety of sources besides Jesus. Our folks get to hear words of wisdom from great prophets and spiritual leaders like Buddha, Mohammed…Yogananda and the Dalai Lama. Buddha points to the path and invites us to begin our journey to enlightenment. I…invite you to begin your journey to enlightened work.”
Dr Blanchard also co-authored a book entitled Lead Like Jesus. Although I have not read the book (and have no intention of doing so) what is concerning is that Dr Blanchard’s quotes and his involvement with the Hoffman Institute suggest that he places more faith in the Hoffman Process than he does in the Word of God. How is Dr Blanchard in the position to “lead like Jesus” if he does not show any discernment when it comes to sound Biblical doctrine? People like Dr Blanchard have allowed the New Age movement an open door into the Christian church – a door which needs to be quickly and permanently shut.
Katy Perry may have fooled herself into believing that the Hoffman Process has brought peace into her life but in fact, all it has brought is deception. In my next article, I will outline Katy’s thoughts on the “divine feminine” and how this too is a spiritually dangerous concept.
