Is Oprah Winfrey the modern Buddha ? It is very appropriate that she is a woman and black and that, in this electronic age, she can spread her philosophy of life so effectively in a short time-span. Her daily television programme, the highest-rated talk-show of all time, reaches an estimated 22 million American viewers and is seen in 160 foreign countries; her web-site is visited by about 1.3 million users a day; and the premiere edition of her new bi-monthly magazine, ‘O’, sold 1.6million copies and more than half a million subscriptions. In addition to all this, she is currently holding Personal Growth Summits in 4 American cities. Why are women flocking to attend these meetings? What is the key to her phenomenal success? Oprah is clearly giving women something they want. What is it and will it be of continuing satisfaction to them?

As the name of the evenings suggests, personal growth is a key component and Oprah is not afraid to say that she thinks of herself as a teacher. She believes that her success is the result of some introspection - she had goals and dreams and she worked to reach them. She wants to share this with other women - to empower them to be the best they can be. Black women, in particular, see her as a great mentor. Even though her evenings are really about a promotion of her magazine and an indication of her commitment to it, the same message is there - ‘How far can you grow? What will it take for

you to fulfil your potential? My hope is that this magazine will help you lead a more productive life, one in which you feel a sense of vitality, co-operation, harmony balance and reverence within yourself and in all your encounters’.

Some women attending these ‘summits’ are there to see the woman they have seen on T.V. and admire. Others are searching for something they feel is missing in their lives and Oprah speaks of matters touching on religion - ‘I’m hoping that you leave this place feeling a sense of empowerment that comes from inside’. But from where? That is not made clear, though she has hinted that her spirit comes from a higher spirit. Her social agenda has strong appeal to many, for she does not have the blatant ‘make more money’ approach of other American promotional speakers. She believes that her world-view is based on making the world a better place, making a difference, whatever that means. She believes that this is a rewarding experience but the first lesson is still that ‘you become what you believe’.

Women tune in to Oprah Winfrey via television, a web-site, a magazine and now ‘personal growth summit’ because she encourages them to believe that she has found success and a purpose in life and she gives them that message - empower yourself, then you can help others. Does it sound very much another version of the New Age philosophy? It is not the same as the Christian good news, that the purpose for our lives is a relationship with God, made possible because of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the call of Jesus to die to oneself by daily taking up one’s cross. Will Oprah Winfrey’s fans and followers find a fulfilment in their lives which is lasting, let alone of everlasting and eternal value?