In the past few years, we have seen widespread growth in the popularity of “spirituality.” This has taken shape as an amalgam of multiple religious practices stemming from Buddhism, Hinduism, New Age spirituality, etc. For many, it has served as a path to self-actualization, spearheading the destruction of toxic cycles & even the elimination of generational curses, truly transforming lives into something beautiful.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for everybody; in fact, for many, it’s a coping mechanism. A lot of people call or find themselves to be spiritual but are not at all. They use this label of being “spiritual” to hide the fact that they don’t know who they are. To hide the fact they are lost within themselves, trying to comfort their deluded state by perceiving the world through a distorted lens.
We also have to consider the fact that being spiritual looks different for every person, but when you start using spirituality to justify toxic behaviors & cycles, that’s when it becomes a form of escapism. Escapism is defined as “the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.” This looks like not practicing what you preach, viewing the religious beliefs of others as less than, & most importantly, not taking accountability.
Growth is not possible without accountability. Accountability allows you to reflect & make changes accordingly. It goes for anything, really: holding yourself accountable for your wrongdoings, holding your family & partners accountable for theirs’, cutting out things or people that bring you down, & holding onto those that help you elevate. When this is eliminated from the equation & instead replaced with constantly trying to justify toxicity, you’re living in a delusional state. This is the brain’s way of coping with the fact that you know you’re not living right but you’re just too fearful of making that change. In the long run, staying in that state is more harmful than change. It leaves you stagnant & hopeless for improvement.
So I leave you with this: If you are spiritual, take the time to reflect on whether or not you’re actually living your life to your own standards. Don’t allow yourself to fall into the trap of escapism & welcome growth with open arms. This way, you’ll know for sure that you’re making a change for the better. Of course, this journey will not always be easy, & some days you’ll find yourself feeling worse than others. Honestly, I would love to say that in the end you’ll find yourself in a better place & with time you will find yourself in a better place. But the thing about growth is that it’s continuous. Through every phase of life, you’ll find out new things about yourself. That’s the beauty of it.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for everybody; in fact, for many, it’s a coping mechanism. A lot of people call or find themselves to be spiritual but are not at all. They use this label of being “spiritual” to hide the fact that they don’t know who they are. To hide the fact they are lost within themselves, trying to comfort their deluded state by perceiving the world through a distorted lens.
We also have to consider the fact that being spiritual looks different for every person, but when you start using spirituality to justify toxic behaviors & cycles, that’s when it becomes a form of escapism. Escapism is defined as “the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.” This looks like not practicing what you preach, viewing the religious beliefs of others as less than, & most importantly, not taking accountability.
Growth is not possible without accountability. Accountability allows you to reflect & make changes accordingly. It goes for anything, really: holding yourself accountable for your wrongdoings, holding your family & partners accountable for theirs’, cutting out things or people that bring you down, & holding onto those that help you elevate. When this is eliminated from the equation & instead replaced with constantly trying to justify toxicity, you’re living in a delusional state. This is the brain’s way of coping with the fact that you know you’re not living right but you’re just too fearful of making that change. In the long run, staying in that state is more harmful than change. It leaves you stagnant & hopeless for improvement.
So I leave you with this: If you are spiritual, take the time to reflect on whether or not you’re actually living your life to your own standards. Don’t allow yourself to fall into the trap of escapism & welcome growth with open arms. This way, you’ll know for sure that you’re making a change for the better. Of course, this journey will not always be easy, & some days you’ll find yourself feeling worse than others. Honestly, I would love to say that in the end you’ll find yourself in a better place & with time you will find yourself in a better place. But the thing about growth is that it’s continuous. Through every phase of life, you’ll find out new things about yourself. That’s the beauty of it.
AMIRA MAURICE
