The 3 Biggest Bullshits of Mainstream Spirituality

spiritual wellbeing, Spirituality

In this blog post I will share with you the 3 biggest bullshits I have found throughout my spiritual journey.

I had my first conscious awakening experience in late 2014. Since then, I have embarked in an incredible journey. I say incredible, because I believe that in the end the positive outweigh the negative aspects of spiritual growth. This doesn’t mean, however, that the human spiritual journey is always pleasurable.

Despite what the mainstream portrays, a spiritual journey is, more often than not, accompanied by painful experiences. That’s why we say we grow spiritually… we learn from the negative aspects and we transform ourselves accordingly.

While on a spiritual journey, it is only natural to seek guidance and look outside for the “truth”. I find that beautiful and I believe it is part of our own personal quest. There are, however, some bullshits in mainstream spirituality which can block our spiritual development. Here are three of what I think to be the three biggest bullshits I have found along my way:

Bullshit Number #3: Lovey Dovey Mindset

I believe we need to tame our negative thoughts in order to live a better life. Nonetheless, this does not mean that we are supposed to suppress or ignore our negative thoughts and emotions. If we can feel a lot of different emotions from the most positive to the most negative, it is because our emotions serve as signs and teachers. If we pay attention to what we feel and think, we will understand what needs to be healed and what lessons we need to master.

Bullshit Number #2: Find Your Guru

Some people act as if they were more advanced than others and they can make entire groups of people gravitate around them as if their spiritual enlightenment depended on that. Some state they don’t want to be spiritual leaders or gurus but the truth is that they keep that image going on, even if at an unconscious level. Learning from others who are in different stages of their spiritual development is very important. However, following gurus or any other type of spiritual leader in a blind way can’t do any good for you because they become the medium between you and God or any other energy system you believe in. One of the goals of our human spiritual development is to realise that we can have direct access to that energy and that each individual only reflects one aspect or side of Reality.

Bullshit Number #1: The Enlightened Ones

There is a lot of controversy around the topic of enlightenment. Some people consider their very first conscious experience of awakening to be the pure “enlightenment” experience and that once enlightened there is no turn around. Based on what I read and on my own experience, I believe that enlightenment is a process and a cumulative result of several awakening moments. I recommend to always doubt of people who claim to be “enlightened” or to have received “enlightenment” because more often than not you can still find a lot of ego issues within them. Pay attention no only to their words, but also to their attitudes and intentions. Energy never lies.

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If you liked this post, consider watching the YouTube video with the same title – you will find in there some other bits that haven’t been mentioned in this blog post. And last but not least: what other bullshits do you find in mainstream spirituality?

14 thoughts on “The 3 Biggest Bullshits of Mainstream Spirituality”

  2. Great post. Definitely agree about gurus and anyone who claims to be “enlightened”. I think “awakening” is possibly something else… But I would still be sceptical of anyone claiming it! Have you read Sam Harris’ “Waking Up; spirituality without religion”? If not I think you’d like it. With your comments re: “lovey dovey” I agree, but I think that there’s a space for cultivating an attitude of genuine kindness and compassion to others, as with the metta Bhavana practice. What do you think?

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    1. Hi Alex, thanks for visiting and sending your impressions, that’s definitely food thought. I’m now curious to know what’s your take on ‘awakening’, but I will try to see if you already made a post on it. I have never heard of Sam Harris I think, that title does tell that it must be a good read, I will definitely check than on out, thanks for sharing! 🙂 I agree with you about cultivating an attitude of kindness and compassion, that’s certainly important and I would say a ‘must’ in any spiritual journey. With lovely dovey I was essentially referring to the extreme attitude of neglecting and dismissing the existence of negative emotions and human experiences. WoW so many good homework for the next couple of days. I really appreciated it!

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      1. Not sure you can “pin down” awakening, but Sam Harris does quite a good job. And although I don’t necessarily like anecdotal evidence there has to be something to be said for over 2,500 years of experience of “kensho” and other awakening experiences that many people have described. It certainly seems that neuroscience is beginning to recognise that there are permanent changes made in the brain through the affects of neuroplasticity.

        I suppose my understanding is that “awakening” refers to various depths of self-awareness – in effect, seeing through the illusion of a ‘separate self’ as an independent experience. It is not the same as Buddha like state of enlightenment of course. I would see various depths of awakening as part of the ongoing process towards enlightenment.

        …but I am a Buddhist, and I am ultimately doing this to aim for enlightenment (as that is literally the point!)…

        … although I won’t be making any claims any time soon! 😉

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      2. I’m totally sold – need to get my hands on that book 🙂 hehe. I’ve grown to dislike my own kind of scientists… but there have been really good stuff coming up around neuroscience. I agree with your perspective regarding awakening, that’s also what I think about it and perhaps I didn’t explain myself well on that on the post/vlog. I guess we can multiple ‘awakening’ moments, each one of them “deeper” than the other. That’s why I doubt so much of people who claim to ‘be’ or ‘have received’ enlightenment… there is some creepy stuff on this out there… anyhow I’m 100% sure you won’t make such claim hehe and you are pursuing a very beautiful journey which I look forward to keep reading! 🙂

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  3. I completely agree with you. I was never one to join groups, spiritual, political or anything else. I always ask too many questions and when I see bullshit, I call it. I do practice Buddhism and other forms of spirituality. I do not belong to a Sangha for the reasons I mentioned. I curse when I’m angry and I don’t apologize for it. My feelings are valid and to bottle up my emotions so I “look” more spiritual is a load of crap.
    From observing human behavior though, I see most people like following a Guru, pastor, minister or other spiritual leaders. They want to be told what to do. They follow blindly and that’s how some of these spiritual leaders take advantage of their followers. They believe their own bullshit and see themselves as some infallible great teacher. I am not looking for some breakthrough enlightenment. Although, I have experienced quite a few “aha” moments. I just want to be a better human being. Practicing compassion is number one and at the same time not putting up with bullshit.

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    1. WoW, you nailed all I wish to say, I totally agree with you, your attitude and choices! I’ve heard some sad stories of people bottling up emotions in the name of Buddhism and Christianity to then just do more harm to everyone than good… I think it is a dangerous thing to label or identify ourselves with a particular stream of ideology… I prefer to do as you say, select what resonates and aim to do the best I can without forgetting that I’m only human and therefore I can also swear 😀 😀
      Would you mind if I read out loud your comment in a future video? I think it summarises a lot that needs to be said.

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  4. Agree on all three points. As for “enlightened ones” … I believe one is more likely to become increasingly humbled if they sincerely believe they may be experiencing enlightenment. You’re right when, to paraphrase, it’s at least in part an ongoing process. I only ever ask God for guidance – except in the case of my friend who was diagnosed breast cancer (it seems to have been caught well in time) – and am filled with wonder when a light appears with either an answer or a route towards an answer. When that happens for real, ego is put into larger perspective and not flaunted.

    Thanks for a thought-provoking post. 😎

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