Let’s be real for a moment:
there comes a time when our spiritual practices harm us more than help us.
Yet most of us are so invested in protecting our fragile egos from the truth, that we live in a state of denial or total oblivion to what is happening.
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When our spiritual practices reinforce, bolster, and underhandedly inflate our senses of self (i.e., our egos), this is called spiritual materialism. And it’s a toxic form of spirituality.
Table of contents
What is Spiritual Materialism?
Originally coined by Buddhist meditation master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in his book Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, spiritual materialism is what happens when we use spiritual concepts, practices, and tools to reinforce the false sense of self, the ego.
As the ego is the source of all our suffering, bolstering the ego through spiritual practice is totally at odds with the whole point of the spiritual path.
As Trungpa writes,
No matter what the practice or teaching, ego loves to wait in ambush to appropriate spirituality for its own survival and gain.
All of us, without exception, need to be honest with ourselves and realize that we aren’t immune to falling into the trap of spiritual materialism. We all have an ego and its mission is to survive, no matter what it takes (including misusing spirituality!).
Why do our egos go to such extremes as to “appropriate spirituality” for their own gain? The answer is that our egos are primal defense mechanisms that both help us to survive in our environments, and will also do anything they can to avoid non-existence or annihilation.
Yet the irony is that the dissolution of the ego – or rather than awakening out of the ego – is the central message of the awakening journey of Self-realization or spiritual enlightenment.
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So how do we know when our egos have slipped into spiritual materialism? We’ll explore that next.
Examples of Spiritual Materialism
There’s a mess inside you: You clean the outside.
― The Dhammapada
Examining our own paths and practices closely, most of us will be able to find instances of spiritual materialism quite easily. All we have to do is ask, “How is this belief/practice/tool reinforcing the ego (the separate sense of self).”
The deeper we look, chances are, the more instances of spiritual materialism we’ll find. But the point is not to be judgmental of our behavior but to practice mindfulness and be compassionate with ourselves.
The best way to learn is often through our mistakes which is what teaches us humility, spiritual discernment, and greater self-awareness.
But often, it can be hard to turn an objective eye on ourselves and our behavior. Sometimes, it’s best (and preferable!) to learn from the examples and behavior of others.
Here are four common examples of spiritual materialism that can often be found in the spiritual marketplace of life:
- “Owning” and indirectly claiming special status due to certain gifts (e.g., clairvoyance, ability to read auras, communicate with spirits, etc.) which reinforces the separate sense of self or ego.
- Literally buying into the spiritual marketplace, e.g., chasing after endless workshops, methods, tools, trinkets, and techniques that all promise to make you a wiser, more intuitive, more blissful, or more “spiritual” person.
- Practicing meditation with the hidden agenda of trying to avoid suffering by becoming peaceful or detached all the time (when the reality is that thoughts and feelings are always fluctuating like the ebb and flow of the ocean – the point isn’t to bypass or “kill” the mind, but to stop identifying with its contents).
- Using the law of attraction to try and attract all of your desires (because that would supposedly “make you happier” than being grateful for what you already have).
… and the list goes on.
Now comes the space to pause and reflect. Can you recognize any of this behavior within yourself?
It takes deep humility to admit where we’ve gone astray or have been misguided in our thinking and behavior. However, being willing to be vulnerable, open, and honest about ourselves is a central part of the spiritual awakening path.
(By the way, here’s a quick video about spirituality and its relationship with consumerism itself to go a bit deeper into this topic from another angle:)
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11 Signs You’re Falling into Spiritual Materialism
Spiritual materialism is an attachment to the spiritual path as a solid accomplishment or possession. It is said that spiritual materialism is the hardest to overcome. The imagery that is used is that of golden chains; you’re not just in chains, you’re in golden chains. And you love your chains because they’re so beautiful and shiny. But you’re not free. You’re just trapped in a bigger and better trap. The point of spiritual practice is to become free, not to build a trap that may have the appearance of a mansion but is still a prison.
– M. Caplan
The ultimate question we’re seeking to answer in this article is, “Have you fallen into spiritual materialism?”
It’s a tough, confronting, and even scary question to consider – but it is so necessary!
Please don’t worry or feel bad about yourself if you’re hesitantly raising your hand and accepting that, yes, you have fallen into spiritual materialism – we all have to some extent! No one is perfect.
The reality is that taking an honest look at ourselves is an important part of our innermost shadow work: it helps us to avoid stumbling, falling, and getting sidetracked again in the future. It might be painful to admit that we’ve been spiritually materialistic, but it’s damn important work.
Here are the eleven crucial signs of spiritual materialism to pay attention to:
1. Spiritual elitism
I.e., using spiritual ‘achievements’ (like having a kundalini awakening) or one’s ‘gifts’ (like being able to channel or heal others) to disconnect from and feel superior to others.
2. Cultural appropriation
I.e., using other cultures’ specific words, practices, or ways of life for one’s own profit/self-image (while simultaneously trivializing them).
3. Creating a spiritual resume
I.e., keeping a list of all the important spiritual people, workshops, certifications, etc. that one has achieved to impress oneself and others.
4. Spiritual shopping sprees
I.e., habitually buying spiritual trinkets/tools/items or accumulating the blessings and initiations from sages, shamans, saints, etc., to somehow feel more “special,” “awakened,” “aligned,” or spiritually worthy.
5. Future obsession
I.e., believing that “if I do ___, I will get to this special elevated state in the future” without living in the present moment or recognizing the fundamental ego-centricity of this driving belief.
6. McSpirituality
I.e., seeking out spiritual practices/teachers that are always bigger and better and who promise “instant joy/abundance/bliss/enlightenment” and quick fixes (often seen in the new age movement).
7. Focusing only on the positive
I.e., so that the ego avoids the reality of its own shadow (that is, its hidden pain, wounds, and deceptions), it focuses on the purely positive aspects of spirituality, aka., “Think positive thoughts,” “be high vibe,” “love and light,” “good vibes only,” etc. Focusing only on the positive is a major aspect of spiritual bypassing (or avoiding our issues by escaping into spirituality).
8. InstaSpirituality
I.e., focusing on aesthetically-pleasing spiritual practices that are “Instagram-worthy” while neglecting the deeper and messier aspects of spiritual transformation that can’t fit into a pretty picture.
9. Hollywood spirituality
I.e., rather than honoring the ordinary magic of everyday life, one seeks lights-and-glamor spirituality and supernatural experiences like angelic visitations, seeing visions, meeting UFOs, spirit guides, teachers with ‘extrasensory’ abilities, etc.
10. Self-improvement addiction
I.e., one flits around from teacher to teacher and practice to practice in search of becoming “more healed,” spiritually awakened, etc., not realizing that by constantly trying to self-improve, one is never happy and is continually reinforcing the illusory ego that feels broken.
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11. Spiritual narcissism
Spiritual narcissism is the climactic result of spiritual materialism; that is, the ego becomes so big, so bulletproof, that it not only unconsciously believes it’s more “awakened” than others, but it will do anything to reinforce that “specialness,” including harming others through arrogance and megalomania.
Wowza … this is a confronting list, no?
Let’s sit with these eleven signs and be honest with ourselves. How many can you relate to?
As we can see, spiritual materialism is what occurs when spirituality feeds the ego – when we take something Divine and try to possess it as our own: when we are fuelled with ego-centric motives. Again, we all have this tendency, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of – we just need to be more aware of this seductive inclination.
How to Stop Spiritual Materialism
The reality is that so long as we’re still attached to our egos, there will always be some level of spiritual materialism on our paths creeping in here and there.
Until that moment of sacred recognition – the moment where we shift from the ego to Oneness, Non-Dual Awareness, Cosmic Consciousness, or whatever you like to call it – the ego will inevitably find ways of using spirituality to bolster its existence.
How do we stop spiritual materialism? We can find moments of liberation, discernment, and greater perspective through practices such as:
- Journaling and self-reflection
- Shadow work and developing awareness of our shadow self
- Self-inquiry and contemplation
- Meditation and mindfulness
We can also seek guidance and opinions from trusted friends, spiritual advisors, or mentors. Simply asking the question, “In what areas might I be deluding myself?” can go a long way in helping us be free of self-deception by practicing spiritual discernment.
So tell me …
What is your experience with spiritual materialism? Are there any other types I haven’t listed in this article? Please share below!
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This is an good article to check in with yourself. Do some reflecting on how things are going at the moment.
I can proudly say, at this moment I do not tick any of these boxes. But I must say, sometimes it’s a fine line.
I did almost fall for the excessive buying of spiritual goodies. For me early 2020 there was a fall pit when i bought my first tarot deck.
Immediately i was searching for others decks, bought an oracle deck quite quick after that. And i felt so disappointed because the card deck was actually really hard to work with.
That got me thinking, after that experience i became more mindfull before buying other card decks. Asking myself different questions instead of the blinding almost paralyzing feeling of, “i want that” or “i need that”.
I do use that more often now, also with other things. Especially when i think i want something so bad, but its verry hard to get, or actually to expensive. I can set it free and let the universe decide.
If the struggle is to hard, maybe it’s not meant to be.
I also fell for the forcing of spiritual growth. Almost obsessively.
When i started working the self love journal everything changed and went so well. I wanted to stay in that flow of healing and growing.
I bought the inner child journal as well… but it didnt go that smooth. Eventually i had to let it go, cause it wasnt working and i got frustrated about it. Now fall has started, and winter is almost comming (on this side of the planet 😅) i feel more drawn to Journaling again. So, maybe that was a lesson to learn as well.
Dont force myself into progress. But go there where my interests are taking me.
Welp, looks like i’ve fallen into the SM trap as well.
Ok, so… i’m fine? I’m doing great. No need to rush any of this. It’s likely that “I” will need another reminder before too long, but that’s just how this seems to go 😅
when the matrix-y world gets as bleak and counter-intuitive as it has been, the spiritual atmosphere can feel like some saving grace that we have to keep pursuing. Damn i guess that’s the point, using the spirituality culture as your new drug.
So, stop trying to figure it out and just be? Be thankful? I can do that👍
Whatever will be, will be. It’s normal to fall into this mode of living – we all experience it, so don’t worry. Just keep reorienting to truth and the here and now. You’ll be fine. 😊
I suppose this article is easy to understand, but I feel the issue of cultural appropriation ought to be explained further. That is, you need a background understanding of many cultures to understand what that term even means, so I suggest people look up these terms/phrases on google to get a sense of what this complicated topic means. Also it’s more complicated than “Never do this,” or “Never do that,” except for some closed practices, but you have to be mindful of stereotyping foreign practices, oversimplifying foreign ideas, and portraying things in an exaggerated “exotic” way too much. or 1. What is cultural appropriation? 2. Cultural appropriation definition 3. Cultural appropriation examples 4. Cultural appropriation in the news 5. Cultural appropriation in New Age spirituality. 6. Cultural appropriation in witchcraft spaces (I know you don’t technically call yourself witches, but a lot of metaphysical/spiritual but not religious types call themselves so, so it’s similar to the 5th search term in this sense.) 7. Spiritual appropriation / Religious appropriation 8. Black cultural appropriation in KPOP / in music / dance / art 9. Cultural appropriation in fashion 10. Cultural appropriation vs appreciation 11. Cultural appropriation and hair 12. Cultural appropriation in yoga 13. Cultural appropriation in media 14. Cultural appropriation of indigenous people. 15. Cultural appropriation of Native Americans. 16. Cultural appropriation vs misappropriation 17. Cultural appropriation vs assimilation 18. Cultural appropriation vs celebration 19. Cultural appropriation vs gatekeeping 20. Cultural appropriation vs globalization 21. Cultural appropriation vs freedom of expression 22. Cultural appropriation vs melting pot 23. Exocitize people 24. Fetishization of race 25. Positive stereotypes are harmful / Model minority myth.
Some great search ideas, thanks!
I think sometimes people just need a break from “self-improvement,” or “spiritual development,” and just take time to relax. Some people in this community are way too serious. It’s easy to get obsessed with it, if you have no breaks to just take time to enjoy the small pleasures in everyday life, when you’re always focused on improving and improving. Sometimes you just have to learn how to have fun, not necessarily by partying (unless you want that, in moderation of course), but however you interpret what fun is, even if that is something seen as “boring” like knitting or gardening. There should be times in life where you’re not focused on growing as a person, and just allowing yourself to be. The point of improving yourself is to be happy, right? But do you have to wait until you solve every problem in your life (which will never happen) to just schedule a short break or a longer vacation at least once in a while? Isn’t that what mindfulness is? Being present?
I am definitely struggling with so many things at this time I honestly don’t know where to begin to make the changes to my life in order to grow in any way. I am beginning to think about the unthinkable about my life and the fact that I don’t have any one who I can trust or any real friends to speak of. I have had more councelling than most people even though I am a retired psychotherapist believe that or not but it’s the truth. So you brought psychology into the mix and even though I know that you are right, it doesn’t alter the fact that I am seriously screwed at this time in my life.
Aww i can feel u ,, wish I could help u i any way but try everything u can to be one man/woman army for urself by holding the hand of lord ,, trust me I’ve been through hell suicidal time but all made me stronger try to make decisions with higher self first it’s all foggy darkness apathy nothing seem working , but eventually u will make it ❤️😊 u said u don’t have friends? We have many people who care for us u will find at right time ,, much love to u god bless u
Hello
I know how hard it is for you to fight with yourself
I have also gone through this difficult situation
But know that the dawn is near, the light will shine on you and you will wake up
Believe in the path created for you
With spiritual practices, we have to check ourselves and say, “what am I trying to achieve and what for?” If the answers to those questions are all self-serving, we could be somewhere on the spectrum of spiritual materialism. I believe that absolute selflessness is impossible – Because we have needs and desires. But as with most things in life – I think balance is the key to escaping “SM”. As much as we are trying to elevate ourselves, we should not (in my view) lose two core aspects of being human – compassion and empathy. I feel that they are grounding principles and provide an anchor that prevents us from the elitism that attaining a high level of spirituality can cause. Attaining ‘wealth’ or success in any aspect of life can cause us to forget our existential roots. And that can be where we become lost in a darkness we perceive as light.
Thanks for sharing Edward, I agree, as with everything in life, balance is key. Aversion or Indulgence have the same object of obsession, even if they superficially appear to be going in opposite directions.
For the Caplan quote above “practice is to become free, not to build a tap”,
I think you mean “trap” (?)
Just to clarify.
Thank you Xen for pointing out the typo, I’ve updadated it.
There’s only two of the above signs that sort of fit me, but not entirely.
I guess it I chalk it up to me having a lot of suffering in my life as well as being one of those kids who remembers his existence before birth (before forgetting much of it by the age of five).
Live, Consume, Die.
We are all taught from our earliest days how to just (BE) to socially fit in. The emphasis being how to be born and to live in a capitalistic consumer driven world. With this I harken again to the wide and varied ways we are socially conditioned to achieve survival.
As you both say to be stuck in an invisible trap or narrow awareness where we live to consume and consume more than we need to fill all our wants needs and desires. Unfortunately the width, spread and depth of these devices and their applications also seeps into our religious/spiritual lives.
We all start some where with the outward trapping of escapism from consumerism and materialism. To look beneath the veils and lost memories to attempt to find true value and true meaning. So we search the outer world for articles, trinkets, to ensure the Ego’s fuel for wholeness. Often many get stuck into this outer search for meaning for life, failing to look within to find wellness and wholeness. While others seek total emptiness total rejection of materialism and all its’ values to balance against the input of social conditioning and mind set. This works for a while till we discover that the Ego is relentless in its’ pursuit of it’s own value and wholeness which means we are self satisfied on the outside yet weak and vulnerable from conditioned desires. and weakness of spirit. So we fill the gaps of this weakness with the trapping and trinkets which supposedly link us to magical divine principles and directions that our intension seeks in the long term. We engorge our selves like pigs in mud till awareness experience and inner consciousness blooms to let us know we are on the path of salvation but are failing to see it authentically and in truth.
Blessing to you both and to all your readers and wild members of the Wolf pack!
Thank you for this perspective and examination of spiritual materialism, John. :)
Thank you for this article. Food for thought indeed. Very much appreciated.
Being brutally honest with myself, I didn’t see any of the 11 signs that I appeared to have fallen into.
But then I remembered whenever I had genuinely helped someone with an honest empathy and pure intent, and then they had come back to me later with something like: “Oh you have helped me so much”…or “thank you for helping me out of a dark place”….”You understand”…”You are a very good Soul”…etc
I have remembered this little creeping thought that I sometimes had, of “Oh look what I just did. Isn’t that great?”
The “look what I just did” bit is definitely worthy of note.
But at the same time it almost feels like a little young person inside me, and I can kind of smile at it and think -yeah, well you have a bit more growing up to do yet, so take it steady.
But I’m not too hard on myself for that. I guess it is all a part of being human and imperfect.
I think we have to keep as close as we can to pure intent when we do anything, notice those little things, a little inner discussion with ourselves about why, and whom does that serve, etc
Noticing, and being aware.
And then, also what is the motive for being free of those ego-quirks? Like “look at me! I am now free of all ego-centric spirituality! Look what I just did!”
So funny! lol
Absolutely – noticing, being aware, and also being self-compassionate. And as you say, even the thought that we’re “finally free of ego-centric spirituality” is a belief, an identity the ego loves to hold onto. It’s a strange joke, innit?! Thanks Kay :)