Kendrick Lamar’s new album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” has become sensational and to some, controversial, since its release this past May.
With songs like “United in Grief” and “Mother I Sober”, we can see that this album speaks volumes to the pain, growth and radical change that Kendrick has experienced since his last album, “DAMN.“, which was released in 2017.
Something that many people don’t know about this new album is that Kendrick has embedded messages in these songs from the astounding German spiritual teacher and self-help novelist, Eckhart Tolle.
Some may have noticed Tolle’s voiced messages in “Mr. Morale” when he speaks about the pain body which he defines as “the human tendency to perpetuate old emotion”.
Another reference to Tolle is made by Kodak Black in “Worldwide Steppers” indicating that Kodak Black has also gone through a time of change and spiritual growth.
In this song, Kodak Black and Kendrick go on to express the violence that the world endures at the hands of our own mental illness and generational trauma.
In “Father Time (feat. Sampha),” Kendrick explains his passionate and tumultuous relationship with his father and says “Reach out to Eckhart” which shows that Tolle has had a life changing impact on Kendrick and his relationship with his father.
Throughout this song, Kendrick lets his ego fall and speaks his truth which is a foundational teaching from Tolle.
It’s clear that spiritual teacher Tolle has inspired Kendrick throughout this entire album, but who the heck even is Eckhart Tolle?
Many people revere and study Tolle’s novels such as “The Power of Now,” “Stillness Speaks” and “A New Earth”.
I highly recommend “The Power of Now,” as I have been on my own spiritual journey with this novel as my guide.
His ideology focuses on understanding your true self vs. your ego, living in the present moment and becoming more aware and conscious of the thinking mind.
If you’re someone who has been interested in mindfulness and meditation or even just living your life differently – this is for you!
I encourage you to read up on Tolle and his teachings but also give “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” a fresh (or first!) listen and this time mindfully engaging with the message and lessons Kendrick offers.
Let us know what awakenings or realizations you make from Lamar or Tolle on Instagram! @HerCampusSJSU