The Myth of “Personal” Spirituality
A lot of people talk about spirituality as if it is just about personal healing, inner peace, and self-improvement. It is packaged as a way to escape the noise of the world, to find a higher vibration, to detach from negativity. But that is not the full picture. Every spiritual journey, whether intentional or not, has an impact beyond the individual. The choices we make in our spiritual practice ripple outward. They shape communities, influence social structures, and either challenge or reinforce the world as it is.
The idea that spirituality is purely personal is a modern construction. Historically, spiritual traditions have always been tied to collective life. Religion, indigenous wisdom, and even mystical traditions have shaped societies, economies, and revolutions. They have dictated laws, justified oppression, and inspired liberation movements. Pretending that spirituality exists in a bubble ignores the way it has always been entangled with power, politics, and the material conditions of everyday life. Ignoring this connection does not make spirituality neutral. It just makes it complicit in maintaining the status quo.
Modern spirituality has increasingly become a privilege rather than a practice. Wellness retreats cost thousands of dollars. High-end yoga brands sell $200 mats as if enlightenment is something that can be purchased. Spiritual coaching programs promise abundance but only for those who can afford to buy in. The commodification of spirituality has turned it into an exclusive club, accessible only to those with financial security.
This is a stark contrast to how spirituality has historically functioned for marginalized communities. For those living under systemic oppression, spirituality was never about luxury. It was about survival. Enslaved people in the Americas infused their spiritual traditions with coded messages of resistance. Indigenous groups have long relied on communal rituals to preserve their culture against colonial erasure. Working-class movements have drawn strength from faith to fuel labor strikes and demands for justice.
When spirituality is stripped of this historical context and repackaged as an expensive, individualistic self-care routine, it loses its true power. It becomes an escape for the privileged rather than a source of resilience for those facing real struggles. A spirituality that does not recognize material conditions is not just incomplete – it is complicit in deepening inequality.
- The Myth of “Personal” Spirituality
- The Hidden Politics of Spiritual Awakening
- How Individualism Distorts Spirituality
- The Collective Aspect of True Spirituality
- Embodying a Spirituality That Acknowledges the World
- Awakening Means Responsibility
The Hidden Politics of Spiritual Awakening
Spirituality has always had the power to disrupt or uphold systems of control. In ancient civilizations, religious institutions dictated laws and controlled economies. Spiritual leaders held political influence, often determining who ruled and who served. Even today, spirituality is deeply woven into social structures. It influences policies, elections, and global conflicts. It determines whose voices are heard and whose suffering is ignored.
The idea that spirituality can be apolitical is a myth. Every time someone preaches inner peace without addressing the external violence that makes peace impossible for so many, they are making a political choice. When people talk about healing but ignore the material conditions that create harm in the first place, they are choosing to focus only on those who have the privilege to heal. Silence is not neutrality. It is a decision to let oppression continue without resistance.
Spiritual leaders have always influenced society, but their impact has not been neutral. Some have upheld oppressive systems, using faith as a tool for control. Others have fought for liberation, wielding spirituality as a force for justice. Recognizing both sides is crucial to understanding why spirituality can never be separate from politics.
Historically, religious institutions have often been intertwined with colonialism, slavery, and patriarchy. European colonizers justified their conquests through missionary work, framing the destruction of indigenous cultures as a divine duty. The Catholic Church, at various points in history, endorsed the transatlantic slave trade and upheld oppressive monarchies. Even today, religious fundamentalism is used to justify laws that strip away women’s rights, restrict LGBTQ+ freedoms, and maintain economic inequality.
At the same time, spirituality has also been a catalyst for resistance. Liberation theology in Latin America reframed Christianity as a tool for social justice, challenging dictatorships and economic exploitation. The Civil Rights Movement in the United States was deeply rooted in Black churches, with leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preaching a faith that demanded racial and economic justice. Mahatma Gandhi’s spiritual philosophy of nonviolent resistance dismantled British rule in India, proving that faith could be a tool for radical change rather than submission.
This duality shows that spirituality is not inherently oppressive or liberating – it depends on how it is wielded. A spirituality that aligns itself with the powerful at the expense of the oppressed is not truly spiritual at all. It is a mask for control. True spiritual leadership does not uphold the status quo. It challenges it.
How Individualism Distorts Spirituality
Modern spirituality has been shaped by individualism. Self-help books, manifestation culture, and wellness industries have turned spiritual practice into a product to be consumed. Meditation is marketed as a tool for increasing productivity. Yoga retreats are sold as luxury escapes rather than paths to deeper wisdom. Even ancient concepts like karma and dharma have been reduced to personal philosophies rather than their original social and ethical meanings.
Some argue that spirituality should remain a private journey – free from external obligations, social issues, or political concerns. The belief is that enlightenment is an individual pursuit, and trying to tie it to the outside world dilutes its essence. This perspective suggests that people should focus on their own healing rather than engage with larger societal struggles.
But history tells a different story. Isolationist spirituality has often benefited those in power while preventing collective change. During times of great injustice, rulers and elites have encouraged spiritual detachment as a way to pacify resistance. The Roman Empire tolerated certain religious sects as long as they did not challenge authority. The caste system in India was reinforced through a misinterpretation of karma, convincing the oppressed that their suffering was simply a result of past actions rather than systemic inequality.
Even in modern times, hyper-individualistic spirituality is used to justify inaction. When people believe that personal enlightenment is all that matters, they ignore the structures that make healing inaccessible to others. If spirituality does not acknowledge oppression, it unconsciously upholds it. True spiritual growth is not about retreating from the world. It is about transforming it.
One of the biggest distortions of spirituality is the belief that raising one’s vibration is enough to change the world. That if you simply focus on positivity, abundance, and alignment, everything else will fall into place. But this ignores the realities of systemic oppression, poverty, and exploitation. A person can meditate every day and still live under an economic system that forces millions into poverty. They can practice gratitude while others fight for basic survival.
Spiritual bypassing is one of the most insidious ways modern spirituality avoids accountability. It happens when people use spiritual concepts to dismiss or invalidate real-world struggles. Instead of acknowledging injustice, they say everything happens for a reason. Instead of standing against oppression, they preach about love and light. Instead of addressing harm, they rush to forgiveness without accountability.
This mindset has serious consequences. During major social justice movements, spiritual bypassing has been weaponized to silence activism. When people protested against police brutality and systemic racism, some responded with “Just focus on positivity” or “Rioting lowers your vibration.” When women have spoken out against gender-based violence, they have been told to “forgive and move on” as if justice is an afterthought. When communities fight for economic equality, they are met with “Money is just energy – manifest more” instead of an acknowledgment of systemic barriers.
This rhetoric does not create peace. It creates complacency. It allows those with privilege to remain comfortable while those who suffer are told that their pain is simply a mindset problem. But real spirituality does not turn away from suffering. It does not ask people to ignore oppression in the name of inner peace. True spiritual growth means confronting discomfort, engaging with injustice, and understanding that enlightenment is not just personal… it is collective.
The Collective Aspect of True Spirituality
Real spirituality has never been just about the self. It has always been about the whole. Indigenous traditions emphasize community over individual gain. Spiritual texts across cultures speak of interconnectedness, shared responsibility, and ethical duty. True enlightenment is not about personal escape. It is about deepening one’s connection to the world, to others, and to justice.
Many spiritual traditions teach that liberation is not an individual achievement but a collective one. Buddhism speaks of the Bodhisattva path, where one does not seek enlightenment for themselves alone but stays to help others awaken. Hindu philosophy speaks of dharma, which is not just a personal purpose but a duty to uphold righteousness in the world. Sufism teaches that divine love is found not in separation but in unity, in dissolving the illusion of individual selfhood.
Healing also cannot exist in isolation. Trauma is not just personal. It is generational, societal, and systemic. True healing requires not just self-work but changes in the material conditions that cause suffering in the first place. It requires access to healthcare, economic justice, and the dismantling of oppressive structures. A spirituality that only focuses on inner work without addressing these realities is incomplete.
Embodying a Spirituality That Acknowledges the World
A spirituality that ignores material realities is not spiritual at all. It is escapism. The goal should not be to retreat into personal bliss but to use spiritual practice as a foundation for action. Mindfulness is not just about finding peace in the present moment. It is about being fully aware of reality, including injustice. Manifestation should not just be about attracting wealth but questioning why wealth is hoarded by the few while billions suffer.
Many of history’s most enlightened figures were not passive. They were revolutionaries. The Buddha rejected the caste system and preached against material attachment. Jesus challenged corrupt institutions and stood with the oppressed. Rumi’s poetry speaks of breaking illusions and embracing radical love, which is not just personal but communal.
Spirituality should not be a retreat from the world. It should be a force that reshapes it. It should move beyond personal well-being and into collective liberation. It should be willing to disrupt, to challenge, to dismantle what is unjust. It should not just raise vibrations but raise voices. It should not just seek enlightenment but demand equity.
Here are concrete ways to integrate socially conscious spirituality into daily life:
- Support spiritual communities that engage in activism. Look for places of worship, meditation groups, or teachers who acknowledge social justice and work toward collective liberation. If a spiritual space ignores material realities, question why.
- Learn about the historical role of spirituality in social movements. From liberation theology to Buddhist nonviolent resistance, spirituality has always been a force for change. Understanding these histories can reshape how you approach your own practice.
- Challenge spiritual spaces that prioritize comfort over truth. If a teacher or community avoids discussions of injustice, ask why. If they dismiss suffering as a mindset issue, push back. Discomfort is not the enemy – complacency is.
- Use your practice as a tool for action. Meditation, prayer, and ritual can be grounding forces, but they should not be an escape. Let them strengthen your ability to show up for others, whether through activism, mutual aid, or simply speaking out when silence would be easier.
- Examine where your spiritual resources come from. Are the teachings, practices, or products you engage with rooted in authentic traditions, or are they commodified for profit? Support sources that honor cultural origins rather than exploit them.
- Engage in mutual aid and direct action. Spirituality is about connection – put that into practice by helping those in need, whether through food drives, community organizing, or financial support for grassroots efforts.
- Hold spiritual influencers accountable. If a leader or teacher promotes personal enlightenment but ignores systemic injustice, question their teachings. Call out spiritual bypassing when you see it.
- Educate yourself on economic justice. Many spiritual traditions teach about wealth redistribution and collective well-being. Explore how money, labor, and spirituality intersect – and take action accordingly.
- Bring mindfulness to consumer choices. Support ethical businesses, avoid exploitative wellness industries, and question whether your spiritual spending is contributing to collective liberation or just personal indulgence.
- Use your voice. If spirituality is about truth, speak it. Whether through social media, conversations, or creative expression, use your platform to challenge injustice rather than retreating into silence.
- Recognize that discomfort is part of growth. If engaging with social justice in your spiritual practice feels unsettling, lean into it. True enlightenment does not come from avoiding hard truths – it comes from transforming through them.
Awakening Means Responsibility
Spirituality is not just about inner peace. It is about engaging with the world. It is about seeing the suffering of others and refusing to turn away. It is about understanding that true awakening is not about detachment but about responsibility. To be truly spiritual is to be aware, to act, to fight for a world where healing is not a privilege but a right.
Anything less is not enlightenment. It is avoidance.
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