Navigating the Inflated Ego and False Humility in Modern Spirituality and Religion.

In our fast-paced world of hashtags and self-promotion, traps of ego-driven spirituality and religion are tempting. From Instagram gurus touting their enlightenment to religious leaders preaching superiority, the dangers of always selling oneself as the best are detrimental to the core values of humility and genuine spiritual growth. 

 

An inflated sense of self-importance can sneak into our spiritual practices and beliefs without us realizing it. By pursuing likes, followers, and validation, we walk the road of comparison, evaluating our spiritual journey and seeking external approval rather than focusing on inner growth and self-awareness.

 

Even though modern spirituality emphasizes a form of personal empowerment and self-realization, there's still a danger of feeding into the ego for recognition and praise. When spirituality becomes a look-at-me fest rather than a journey of character development and connection, we risk losing touch with the essence of humility and compassion at the heart of many spiritual traditions.

 

Here are a few examples of an inflated spiritual ego. 

• Excessive Attachment to titles around being a guru or "master" of something.
• Boasting spiritual experiences, one's vast knowledge, and even spiritual achievements to assert prominence over another. 
• Emphasize material gain by showcasing expensive items, luxury vacations and retreats, monetary wealth, and being a part of exclusive memberships as the end game rather than personal transformation and serving others.
• Highlight renowned spiritual teachers, groups, or practices to show honor and unity without revealing the competitive edge and sought-after prestige.
• Bypass uncomfortable emotions, conflicts, or challenges by retreating into spiritual practices or beliefs. 
• Forming exclusive spiritual high-paying groups closed to outsiders who can't afford it and fostering an elitist mentality among its members.
• Seek admiration from followers or peers using flattery or high-vibe language around spiritual prowess, experiences, or insights.
• Use spiritual teachings or positions of authority to manipulate and exploit vulnerable people for personal gain around financial donations or loyalty.

 Religion falls into a similar trap when it creates a dangerous ego in its followers by leaders claiming infallibility. People become alienated and forsake foundational teachings of humility and service. Left unchecked, a religious institution becomes one of privilege and success by self-aggrandizement taking over. Spiritual enlightenment and connection to the heart eventually become lost and obscure.

 

A second trap entwined to an inflated Ego is that of false humility. The embodiment of true humility requires introspection and discernment because false humility masquerades itself under the guise of humility. 

 

When a person's abilities, accomplishments, or opinions are veiled, this can be an example of false humility. People don't want to appear arrogant or lacking self-confidence, so downplaying personal strengths and achievements to seek validation or approval from others seems the better route. But is it?   

 

While humility recognizes our limitations and imperfections with honesty and grace, false humility hinders personal growth and professional success by preventing individuals from owning their accomplishments and pursuing their goals. False humility erodes self-esteem and creates barriers to effective communication and collaboration with others. In essence, it leads to many missed opportunities and stifles inner potential.

 

True spirituality should not be how awesome we make ourselves appear before others but how authentically we show up with compassion and deep reverence for the sacredness of all life.  It is being open to learning from others, showing empathy, and recognizing the contributions of those around us. The journey toward spiritual growth is a walk of humility guided by love, wisdom, and a genuine desire to serve the greater good.

 

If you desire a healthy balance of humility and confidence, remember it's an ongoing journey of self-reflection, self-compassion, and authenticity. Celebrating achievements with genuine joy without seeking the external reinforces a balanced sense of self-worth. By integrating these principles into our lives, we cultivate a harmonious circle and foster a deeper connection with ourselves and those around us. Discerning these things unlocks one's full potential and contributes positively to the world.

Lots of Love,

Ellen

Simplicity's Serenade

Our world is filled with constant noise and distraction as many find themselves on a never-ending quest for spiritual fulfillment and a deeper connection to the divine. Organized religion and modern spiritual practice send a clear message of seeking and finding. Yet, I wonder if one of the keys to awareness is not seeking but letting go of the search altogether.

 

History teaches that religion and spiritual practice serve as guideposts for those seeking meaning and purpose. They structure everything around how to explore our relationship with the divine and unearth truths that lie within us. In this relentless pursuit, we can often overlook a fundamental truth: we are already whole and complete as we are.

 

My work as a Spiritual Coach is about uncovering dogma that negatively affects people and leads to Religious Trauma. A difficult teaching many of my clients grapple with is the over-importance of striving to please the Divine to attain enlightenment. This belief leads to feelings of dissatisfaction and disillusionment. Religious believers can become so focused on reaching this distant goal or higher state that they lose sight of two important keys.

 

              *We have divinity inside of us.

              *Being human is acceptable.

 

It's also customary for religions to place ancient gurus in high esteem. This inadvertently complicates and obscures a person's awareness of self and their connection to what's divine. This reverence causes people to feel pressured to live from unrealistic standards that create feelings of disconnectedness, unworthiness, inadequacy, and even failure. By seating gurus on thrones of perfection, the lines of how they achieved "enlightenment" become blurred. Some believed ancient masters were overly consumed with self-improvement to live in higher states of consciousness. 

 

It's vital to have a healthy balance between honoring teachers of the past while allowing individuals the freedom to forge their path and interpretation of what a spiritual journey entails. By encouraging people to deemphasize seeking outward answers and validation, we are prompting them to turn inward and instead embrace simplicity to being. This helps remove the need to constantly search separately and instead cultivates an inner recognition of the divinity that is already present within.

 

Spiritual simplicity is a calm invitation to let go of becoming something more than we already are to be complete. We are everything we seek. By embracing this we tune into our divine spark waiting to be acknowledged. This shift in perspective creates,

 

              * A meaningful and fulfilling life. 

              * It allows for inner peace and a deep-knowing experience.

              * It reiterates that nothing is missing or broken in a person. 

              * Brings forth gratitude, acceptance, and love of self and others. 

 

At day's end, the key to living a meaningful life lies not in striving to be divine but in recognizing that we are already divine beings in our own right. Embracing simplicity and letting go of the search for something outside of ourselves frees us to fully experience the beauty and wonder of life as it unfolds before us. So, take a moment to pause, breathe, and remember you are already everything you seek.  

Lots of Love,

Ellen

 

Reflection

Self hatred can be disguised in Self Grandiosity by its need to prove to the mind & to the mind of others that you are worthy, that you are something, & that you're somebody. 

However, at the base of that thought is; I am worthless, I am nothing, I am nobody. And when willing to see that painful realization, to experience the suffering that has come from believing this way, both in one's personal life and how it's affected others, a beautiful shift occurs. 

There's a facing of the grief of how you suspect you aren't somebody. There's a realization that no matter how many accomplishments have happened, there's still the nagging sense of not being enough. When we give ourselves permission to face this, everything is given up and there's no longer a need to say look at me, I am awesome & amazing in the attempt to prove your worthiness. 

This journey allows you to finally discover what has been calling from the depths of your inner being. This cannot be understood intellectually as the mind has been the trap. This is coming from a deeper place. Your inner sanctum. 

What is nobody & nothing? That is you! When this is accepted the release from the fear of "not" is massive, because there's no longer a need to prove to yourself & others of anything. 

You are no-thing, no-body and what a glorious truth at days end! Not to mention how peaceful and restful this state of being.

As always I'm thankful for you,

Ellen