Book Review: The Divine CEO – Creating a Divine Covenant, by Geoff Thompson
You may think, as I did, that The Divine CEO probably relates to a new genre of spiritual leaders, of the Chief Executive Officers of inspiring businesses, social enterprises, and charities across the globe. But this book is not intrinsically about business leaders. This is about our own internal CEO, our Inner Self.
The Divine CEO is a book for anyone who is stuck in an ever-revolving life of negativity and angst, providing they are ready to explore how to expand their conscious awareness.
But this is also a perfect book for anyone already on their own spiritual journey as Geoff gradually journeys through the hierarchy of spiritual ascent.
Although not specifically detailed as such, I feel this book is divided clearly into 3 sections as Geoff accepts and gains more spiritual awareness.
The Divine CEO tells a wondrous story of the various stages of Geoff Thompsom’s life and, as such,it can help anyone find happiness, fulfilment, and success. But his ultimate mission has a higher purpose as he concludes:
“I pray this book acts as a small intercession, and that it inspires you to enter the same narrow gate and do the work of God.
When you do the work of God, you do the work of many.”
Throughout the book, Geoff references many religious testaments including The Hikam, The Holy Bible and The Bhagavid-Gita (a 700 verse Hindu Scripture.) Geoff frequently refers to God but in a broad context rather than religion specific.
Geoff is an acclaimed author with his self-help works published in 21 languages. But his first book, Watch My Back, detailed his experiences working as a nightclub doorman in Coventry for more than ten years. Suffice to say Geoff’s personal background is far from privileged and his early years will resonate with many.
The first section starts with Geoff as a young adult. He was desperately unhappy, working in dead-end factory job and with a dysfunctional marriage. And he was very afraid, but not something he would publicly admit. To fight the fear, he became a doorman. For the first 32 years of his life, this was his story, as he constantly veered between depression, anger, and fear. It wasn’t until he was at his lowest ebb, a point where he felt he could not go on, that he called for help and learnt how to break free. He found Freedom but, as he explains in the introduction:
“But Freedom, I have learned, is not to be found in the external life, and if I was to reduce the whole of this book to one concept, it would be exactly this.
You won’t find freedom in the world, because it does not exist in the world….
…. Freedom – the kingdom – exists within, and of course every inner life demands an inner Self”
One of the author’s most used phrases is ‘doing the work.’ In the first section, this is used very much in the context of doing the work on yourself. When Geoff began his spiritual journey, he had a clear view of the path he wanted to travel, and being a writer was very much part of that path. But actually taking the steps he needed to was often challenging. He was not happy in his old life, and yet his dead-end jobs did provide some sort of stability. As many people will recognise, it is often easier to accept the status quo, even if that it not a good place, than move beyond it.
Geoff needed to take giant steps outside of his comfort zone, both from a practical and spiritual perspective. His journey is well documented and will help many people who find themselves in a similar situation.
In the second section of this book, Geoff has found the freedom he is looking for. He has a loving and supportive wife, loves his career as an author, and is committed to helping others on their spiritual journey. He is extremely successful and has all the trapping of such success: several beautiful homes, exotic holidays, fast cars. But the success is not handed to him on a plate. He must continue to ‘do the work.’
But in the third section, as Geoff continues his spiritual ascent, he experiences an out of body experience that defines his clarion call:
“We are doing the work of many. They will criticise you. do the work anyway. They will attack you. Do the work anyway. They will hate you. Love them anyway.”
Geoff knew without question that his purpose was to commit unconditionally to sharing the message of God through his writing. He would not commit to any projects based on financial reward. He no longer cared about the beautiful homes, holidays, and cars. Sharing the word and helping others to find their true Inner Self was to be his life’s work.
The Divine CEO by Geoff Thompsom is a fascinating book and an excellent read.