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The faces of self-help

Updated 9:06 AM EST, Thu December 1, 2016
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Before James Arthur Ray was <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2011%2F11%2F18%2Fjustice%2Farizona-sweat-lodge-sentencing%2Findex.html" target="_blank">sentenced to two years in prison</a> following the deaths of three of his followers, he was one of the most popular self-help gurus in the business. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fshows%2Fcnn-films" target="_blank">CNN Films</a> chronicles Ray's rise and fall in <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fshows%2Fenlighten-us" target="_blank">"Enlighten Us,"</a> premiering December 3 at 8 p.m. ET. Here are some of the other well-known gurus who have emerged in this <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2016%2F11%2F18%2Fopinions%2Fliberals-hide-from-trump-spicer%2Findex.html" target="_blank">multibillion-dollar industry. </a>
Before James Arthur Ray was sentenced to two years in prison following the deaths of three of his followers, he was one of the most popular self-help gurus in the business. CNN Films chronicles Ray's rise and fall in "Enlighten Us," premiering December 3 at 8 p.m. ET. Here are some of the other well-known gurus who have emerged in this multibillion-dollar industry.
Life coach Tony Robbins utilizes neuro-linguistic programming, or NLP, a technique developed in the 1970s, to help people change their behaviors. Robbins is famous for his "firewalk seminars" and other recurring events like "Unleash the Power Within," along with his books and seminars, to help people achieve life goals.
Life coach Tony Robbins utilizes neuro-linguistic programming, or NLP, a technique developed in the 1970s, to help people change their behaviors. Robbins is famous for his "firewalk seminars" and other recurring events like "Unleash the Power Within," along with his books and seminars, to help people achieve life goals.
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Deepak Chopra is a certified physician, leading figure in alternative medicine and author of more than 50 books. His central message claims that a connection between the mind and body can be used to reach an ideal state of health.
Deepak Chopra is a certified physician, leading figure in alternative medicine and author of more than 50 books. His central message claims that a connection between the mind and body can be used to reach an ideal state of health.
Qamar Sibatin/India Today Group/Getty Images
Media magnate Oprah Winfrey plays a unique and central role as a promoter, reaching millions of fans seeking self-improvement. Through her book club, magazine and TV shows, she has elevated many self-help authors to worldwide fame.
Media magnate Oprah Winfrey plays a unique and central role as a promoter, reaching millions of fans seeking self-improvement. Through her book club, magazine and TV shows, she has elevated many self-help authors to worldwide fame.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
What makes author Sonja Lyubomirsky a unique figure in the self-help industry is her use of science. A professor at the University of California, Riverside, with a Ph.D. in social/personality psychology, Lyubomirsky has spent the last 27 years conducting scientific research on happiness.
What makes author Sonja Lyubomirsky a unique figure in the self-help industry is her use of science. A professor at the University of California, Riverside, with a Ph.D. in social/personality psychology, Lyubomirsky has spent the last 27 years conducting scientific research on happiness.
Josh Blanchard
Eckhart Tolle brings together religious and mystical teachings, classical poets and philosophers, and many pop culture references to help his followers reach spiritual enlightenment in an accessible fashion. He is the author of best sellers "The Power of Now" and "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose."
Eckhart Tolle brings together religious and mystical teachings, classical poets and philosophers, and many pop culture references to help his followers reach spiritual enlightenment in an accessible fashion. He is the author of best sellers "The Power of Now" and "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose."
Jonathan Leibson/FilmMagic/Getty Images
David Allen has been in the business of productivity management for decades. His 2001 book, "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity," teaches a time management method that reduces stress in order to become more productive. It has been translated into more than 28 languages.
David Allen has been in the business of productivity management for decades. His 2001 book, "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity," teaches a time management method that reduces stress in order to become more productive. It has been translated into more than 28 languages.
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