Spiritual Narcissism: Rise of A New Cultural Consumption
It seems these days I find myself embodying the role of a socio-political commentator more so than an actual philosopher (maybe they are one in the same, who knows?). I reckon that our contemporary “idiocracy-like” (Brawndo!! It has electrolytes....) culture and celebrity worship tendencies make this role an easy one as the resources appear to be robust and never-ending. This being said, I find myself narrowing my problematizing of this modern day malaise to a particular trend I have been noticing lately. The trend I speak of is "spiritual narcissism" and the subsequent rise of new age spirituality.
Now before I get too ahead of myself, I should bracket this conversation with the assertion that I am not against new age beliefs per say nor do I consider myself to be anti-spirituality. Many spiritual practices, like meditation for example, are good for self-reflection, health and well-being. Also, several of these spiritual practices, I do, in fact, do myself. It is not necessarily the spirituality aspects that gives rise to this social critique but more so how, why and the ways in which these practices are invoked. I am mostly concerned about the level of self-absorption, elitism, separation, and self-perceived purity that often seems to accompany those that claim to be among the most “enlightened” of us. What the heck is up with that, right??
I think within these groups of “enlightened” individuals spirituality becomes yet another item of cultural consumption. I liken the spiritual narcissism trend to the “keeping up with the Jones’s” trend that we saw emerge in the 80’s. It didn’t matter if you can actually afford all the toys, homes, expensive bags and vacations but what was more important is that you appeared to be able to live this way. I find myself wondering how many of these folks who profess universal love, peace and good vibes are actually at all concerned with these things and not just the appearance of them. Many of these so-called "enlightened" people upon closer examination are some of the least self-aware, self-obsessed and apathetic people I have ever encountered. What gives?
So, what is with these spiritual narcissists and what draws my ire?Here it is in a nutshell; They seem to want and need to believe that they are somehow so gifted, unique and ever so very special. This belief morphs into a weird power/knowledge dynamic that is somehow merged into some perverse caste system. Furthermore, there is often the hint that people are somehow responsible for their own misfortune because of some sort of misguided idea of karma or inability to be a powerful "manifestor" as if thought alone can change circumstance and ultimately the world. Yes, our thoughts do shape reality but these same thoughts also need to be guided and turned into practice in order to do so. Why must we find a way to always put a hierarchy to every thing? Even the appearance of goodness becomes a commodity to flaunt and capitalize upon for prestige, social and political gain. Ultimately this way of being only serves to divide and separate humanity into yet another layer of striation.
Come on, what if instead we all just decided to follow the simple idea of Ram Dass?? He once sagely suggested: “We are all just walking each other home.” Why don't we meet people from where they are emotionally and spiritually, and just be good neighbours? Why don't we just start there......
The worst of spiritual narcissism is people who post pseudo-spiritual quotes on Facebook! It makes my skin creep :( I try to avoid them now :)
My biggest thing is that darn stupid Marilyn Monroe quote: "If you cant handle me at my worst you don't deserve me at my best.' Ugh, just do better already so no one has to handle you period!
It's worse than dog vomit :(
P.S. Post upvoted and RS.
#caringhunter #supportivehunter <3<3 @mindhunter
No worries :)
you are very beautiful
Umm, thank you!
Its a result of the times in manny ways. To me it seems partly to be a result of a rising trend that others are riding the wave of, in hopes to capitalise on it. Althou there is likely manny factors, among what you pointed out in your text. As yes this is an issue in most places where you find manny who claim to be som form of guru that wants to teach you something. But you need to pay or become a member of the group. Becasue the individual wants to feel in power and higher. In so doing creating himself to become what he claims to be by attracting unwiting followers. And how I see it, this is not to be enlightened, whatever that term actually means. It ins very much as you say one of the traps of the ego. But also a ressult of individuals seeking outside for what cant be found there, so some deside to fill that need with a false image. Maybe this is how some religions started?
Hello @jostein. Thank for reading and taking the time to comment as it's much appreciated. Yes, it does seem to be a lot more common now-a-days. I am sure you are right that many factors affect this and are probably accumulative. Alas, I don't know the solution as narcissism and psychopathy seem to also be on the rise. I am certain it will become a societal problem we will soon have to deal with as the epidemic becomes more observable and problematic. Unfortunately, much of the research done on psychopathy is not very encouraging that intervention improves outcomes and there is no real treatment either.
On the topic of psychopathy I have heard it described as 2 kinds; Primary and secondary psychopathy. Primary psychopathy being individual born with empathy genes actually missing. Whilst secondary psychopathy is learned and can be fixed.
I have mostly read about it through Dr. Robert Hare's work. He seems to focus on the primary cases and to be honest I have not read about secondary psychopathy.
Dr. Simon is a great source on "character disturbance". https://www.drgeorgesimon.com/about/
Philosophy idea for ya: What can you tell me about the reflective philosophy of Hegel?
Oh God, not Hegel. Hahahaha.....
Yes my little minnow! Hegelianism time :))
I think you nailed it here. This type of spiritual righteousness is the ultimate ego trap. Acting enlightened is not how one crosses the sea of consciousness. The true path of waking up in the dream is mostly bloody and brutal with a few awe inspiring moments mixed in.
It can be amazing to realize how blind you once were when you finally probe one of the dark spots of your inner world. However, these moments of unity consciousness of whatever mystical trip you find along the way is not "it". Chasing those hints can not only lead to an extraordinary level of arrogance, but can also be the inner jail cell that locks you away for good. Just because you saw God during an ayahuasca trip doesn't mean you know God or are the keeper of any divine secret. If your spiritual journey plays any role in enforcing or enabling your belief that you are better or worse than anyone, then you have surely missed the mark. Oh and your outfit is irrelevant ...
First off hello and welcome @domenicthomas! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my blog. Excellent points.
You're definitely onto something here... there's both a lot of spiritual narcissism and spiritual idiocy out there, these days. And it often turns into a contest of "who's more spiritual." Don't know if you're a fan, but I always get a good laugh out of J.P. Sears' "Ultra Spiritual" episodes... check out his YouTube channel, if you're not already familiar with him.
Call me cynical, but I think we can lay a lot of this at the feet of the "positive self-esteem" movement (and parenting) of the 1970's, where we started the whole "participation prize" movement where "everyone is a winner." Nice idea, I suppose, but not functionally implementable in a world filled with vastly different and unique people.
It certainly has its roots in something and there seems to be a particular entitlement to be noticed and treated as special. I have seen that video @denmarkguy!! J.P. Sears is a very funny guy!! I am all for people feeling empowered and confident, that is not the issue, but there always seems to be this backlash and perversion to all things that at first blush appear good. Those good things seem to find a negative expression in some form or another. Or at least that is what I have observed,
Yeah well... a couple of the original "deadly sins" inevitably show up everywhere... greed and sloth, along with an endless potpourri of variations on that theme.
Yes, indeed, a potpourri of ick!
"It seems that we all (human beings) need first a lot of guinea pigs to open the way for us before we take the ¿risky? ride across, just to be sure it is absolutely safe"
On the other hand, it also seems like most of these enlightened New Age Gurus or more to the point, anyone who profess staying upon a cloud playing a tiny harp onto the heights of their own preached bliss.. It quickly becomes pretty evident they all don't want to do the trip alone.
Reinforcing this second thought about the trip..
I remember, from my high school days, plenty of experiences which always left me thinking for a while about a curious behavior.
It was too common, that in high school, during the short recess in the yard before returning back to the next class, everyone and his/her dog, who were smokers, they all were almost able to pull a cigarette out of their pocket already lit. As if it were an impressive act of magic for the sole purpose of not giving you one if you asked for it. Since they would say that one was the last. ¿Ring a bell? ;)
Well, it was also the case that Off Campus, around the hidden boundaries of the academic precinct, there were also large numbers of youngsters, in small groups, in some remote corner, smoking not exactly tobacco cigarettes. But they instead, they were always eagerly willing to invite a whole joint or a vigorous suck to that one which they were already consuming to everyone who happened to walk near them.
The moral of this story being: ¿How comes, the uplifted ones through the sensory stimuli of their chemical vaporous trip, they always were eagerly willing to share with you, regardless of whether you were a stranger or not, an especial smoke ride whose value was at least twenty times greater than a simple tobacco cigarette? And yet, when sober, they would make any maneuver, even magical, to deny you a damn cheap tobacco cigarette.
Conclusion: ¡Nobody likes to do Tha Trip alone! :)
No. Perhaps we don't like to do the trip alone. We are social animals. People can and do strange things sometimes in that quest to feel connected.
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This is so true, spiritual ego is the worst kind of ego because its like there is that underlying energy of them thinking they know more. Spirituality has become a competition within New Age arenas.
Hello! Sorry for the delayed response but my computer crashed and I had login issues! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
Welcome back!
Thank you. Now just to acclimated back to Steemit!
I read a book once called Spiritual Materialism by Choygyn Trungpa and he basically boiled it down to our ego and its need for attention. This need is so powerful it blinds us, even to those who think they are being spiritual and correct through self sacrifice when in fact it is merely a selfish act totally contrary to spiritual percepts. Peace on Earth goodwill toward men is easy to say and one can be even phony about it but in fact is one of the hardest things humans have ever attempted. Just look at our world today with all this knowledge we have, things have gotten worse not better. Ironic, isn't it?
Status is a projection of power and it can be pretty profitable too, as people tend to support what they see as powerful. It isn't power though, it is a false projection as one with status most often drains othera of their power. One tends to create for others what he creates for himself. And if you meet a being that loves you or that has some power you might feel the same too.