Healing News, Mind Lab (a registered nonprofit), Inner City, Chaek Choo Nam TV, and Healing News jointly hosted and, through Korea Research, released the 「Survey Report: Best 50 Spiritual Books That Changed Koreans’ Lives 2026」.
The survey ran for a month from May 15 to June 14. A total of 1,314 people participated, and 890 valid respondents selected the spirituality books that had the greatest impact on their lives in ranks 1 to 3. For the tally, a weighting was applied: 5 points for rank 1, 3 points for rank 2, and 1 point for rank 3, to determine the final ranking.
The book that received the most points was 『Conversations with God』(Neal Donald Walsh, Arm Tree Media). Next, 『Live in the Now』(Eckhart Tolle, Yangmun Publishing Co.) took second, and 『The Soul Unhurt by Pain』(Michael A. Singer, Writing House) ranked third.
It was followed by ▲4th 『Rising Back Into Life』(Eckhart Tolle, Alchemy Master) ▲5th 『Reality Transurfing』(Vadim Zeland, Mind World Publishing House) ▲6th 『Immortality』(Monk Yikak, Wisdom Eye) ▲7th 『Letting Go』(David Hawkins, Panmimdong) ▲8th 『What Is to Be Will Be』(Michael A. Singer, Mind World Publishing House) ▲9th 『Revolution of Consciousness』(David Hawkins, Panmimdong) ▲10th 『No Boundary』(Ken Wilber, Mind World Publishing House), which made the list in “Best 10 spiritual books that changed Koreans’ lives.”
In this survey, the influence of certain authors stood out as well. The most frequently mentioned author was Eckhart Tolle (154 times). Michael A. Singer (101 times), Neal Donald Walsh (71 times), David Hawkins (70 times), and Vadim Zeland (68 times) followed. In particular, Eckhart Tolle put both 『Live in the Now』 and 『Rising Back Into Life』 into the top ranks, appearing as the author with the biggest impact on domestic spiritual reading culture.
This survey is meaningful in that it confirmed spiritual classics that modern-day Koreans encountered at real turning points in their lives, beyond the boundaries of any specific religion. Books spanning various fields—meditation and mindfulness, consciousness, self-reflection, and religion and philosophy—were included evenly, and it is being evaluated as the first survey showing the landscape of spiritual reading in Korean society.
Ham Young-jun, CEO of the jointly cooperating organization Mind Health Road, said, “Spirituality doesn’t mean only grand, mysterious experiences. It is the deep layer of the heart that asks who I am, what I should hold onto, and what I should let go of, and how to live in the face of pain and death,” explaining why people look for spiritual books in the AI era.
The co-hosts said, “It has special meaning in that we surveyed not just bestsellers but books that actually changed readers’ lives. We hope these results become a guide for readers to discover new spiritual books and also serve as a meaningful reference for the publishing industry and reading culture.”
[Survey Overview]
- Survey name: Survey on Best 50 Spiritual Books That Changed Koreans’ Lives
- Survey period: May 15, 2026 ~ June 14, 2026
- Survey organization: Korea Research
- Co-hosts: Healing News, Mind Lab (a registered nonprofit), Inner City, Chaek Choo Nam TV, Healing News
- Sponsorship: Mind World Publishing House, Mindfulness Playground, Mom Bom, Dr. Kokan
- Joint cooperation / Sponsorship (participation order): Mind World Publishing House, Gaia TV, Center One Meditation Center, Bulgwang Media, Mabo, Mom Bom, Mindfulness Playground, Seoul Buddhist Graduate School·Student Association, Won Buddhism Meditation Counseling Association, Thursday Brain Science News, Korea NVC (Nonviolent Communication) Publishing, Korean Buddhist Psychotherapy Society, Lounge Akashic, Korea Shalem Spiritual Training Institute, Laughing Elephant, Korea Meditation Instructor Association, Dr. Kokan (E·WAN Meditation Device), Kim Young-sa, Mind Health Road, Haruheon Publishing Co., Empathy and Compassion Research Institute, Shanti Publishing Co., Buddhist Traveler Gang San
- Survey participants: 1,314 people
- Valid respondents: 890 people
- Survey method: Responses for ranks 1 to 3 of spiritual books (weighting applied: 5·3·1 points for each rank)
Survey analysis/compilation: Shin So-yeon (co-CEO of Mindfulness Playground), Kang Min-ji (CEO of Healing News)
[Survey Report: Best 50 Spiritual Books That Changed Koreans’ Lives 2026]
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-2MsfWduvXhN9lxoa_KsebrdxDlTNJrI/preview