In a culture hooked on “positive vibes” and instant manifestation, Harvard-educated author, ed-tech founder, and global speaker Elan Divon delivers a starkly different message in his new book The Initiation: true transformation begins in darkness, uncertainty, and loss, not in light and alignment.
Drawing on 15 years of research, personal experience, and work with Fortune 500 leaders and young professionals, Divon dismantles the glossy promises of The Secret and “Law of Attraction.” He shows that before anyone can manifest change, they must endure a spiritual crucible — a rite of passage that forces separation from life’s most foundational elements.
“Every great teacher, innovator, and changemaker emerged from heartbreak, loss, or breakdown,” says Divon. “They had to be ‘dismembered’ to remember who they truly are. That’s the initiation.”
In The Initiation, Divon explores:
- The Manifestation Myth – Why common ideas about manifestation fail.
- The Three Sacred Separations – The hidden architecture of transformation.
- Lost Rites, Lost Potential – How the disappearance of passage rites fuels a mental health crisis.
- The Orphan Archetype – Why so many great leaders were motherless or fatherless, and the role of mentorship in awakening potential.
Packed with stories, tools, and Divon’s journey, The Initiation offers a roadmap for seekers, young professionals, and anyone in transition who’s ready to go beyond pop-spirituality into the deeper work that changes lives.
Advance Praise
Before hitting shelves, The Initiation has already struck a chord with thought leaders, spiritual icons, and media pioneers alike. From Deepak Chopra to E! founder Larry Namer, early readers are calling Divon’s work a refreshing antidote to the shallow affirmations dominating today’s self-help shelves — a guide that digs into the real, often painful, process that fuels lasting transformation.
“The Initiation offers a roadmap for spiritual growth that can help us all unleash our potential for greatness and live in accord with our highest self.” – Deepak Chopra.
“For anyone in transition, this book provides a compelling road map.” – Larry Namer, founder, E! Entertainment Television.
“An inspiring and distinctive approach that will appeal to every generation.” – Tiffany Shlain, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, founder of The Webby Awards
Divon has also launched The Initiation Collective, a 12-part program based on the book’s teachings.
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