Spiritual Materialism
I first came across the concept of "Spiritual Materialism" in Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche's book Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism. Although Trungpa had his serious flaws, he possessed wisdom that has endured.
It's SO easy to go astray on a spiritual journey because it is also a human journey and human nature can be, well, "fun."
Someone becoming Spiritual or even labeling oneself as "Spiritual" is often the first misstep down the road of Spiritual Materialism.
I've been there. You've been there. We'll be there again—which is why it's important to check ourselves as much as possible. (Or better yet, have people around who can check us.)
Here's a simple example of SM. When I started meditating, I would see people in full lotus and think, woah, that's cool! That's what an ultra-spiritual person looks like. I thought, When I can do that, it will mean something. I'll be "more spiritual."
Spiritual Materialism has parallels to The Problem With Self-Improvement.
Anytime we become attached to something that puffs up our ego and sense of self-importance, we enter Spiritual Materialism.
Spirituality is not about how many meditation retreats you go on, how many downloads you get from Ayahuascha, or who your guru is.
The spiritual journey is about letting go of identities rather than building them up—or, as Ram Dass says, it's about Becoming Nobody.
(Please know this is coming from someone who is reallyyyy trying to be somebody.)
Amidst all my striving, I continue to be grateful for the humbling blows life deals me.
As Father Thomas Keating states, "The spiritual journey is one humiliation after the other."
I was so excited to discuss spiritual materialism with dear Prashanti Paz on The Art & Business of Meditation podcast.
If you don't know Prashanti, she is an Argentinian-born devotional singer popular on Insight Timer and beyond.
After meeting Prashanti, the word "Real One" comes to mind. It was a blessing to cross paths and share a heartfelt conversation.
If you are a human being on a spiritual journey, this is a must listen. Check it out below.
