On my spiritual journey, I've encountered a range of problematic spiritual instructors at their worst and frustratingly inaccurate psychic readers at their best. Remarkably, I persevered in my quest for spiritual growth. There were moments when I felt deserted by the universe, yet simultaneously, I developed a deeper reverence for the sacred, a heightened passion for the spiritual, and embarked on a profound exploration of my soul. These spiritual figures served as cautionary examples, illustrating precisely what I didn't want to become as a teacher, guru, or psychic. It's only now that I can genuinely express gratitude for this experience. Here are a few traits of false prophets I've encountered over the years, which may assist you in discerning them:
They lack joy, humor, and inner peace in their lives.
There's a tale from my birth religion about its prophet: it is recounted that, unlike ordinary babies who cry at birth, he was born with laughter. A similar anecdote is associated with Buddha—upon achieving enlightenment, his first reaction was laughter. I'm not advocating for spiritual bypassing or suggesting they should always be in a state of perpetual happiness, detached from the realities of life. Spiritual figures often grapple with personal challenges and intimately understand the harshness of the world. However, the distinction lies in the fact that the challenges they face are not of their own making, and they do not use the world's cruelty as a pretext for being excessively solemn, ill-natured, or despondent.
They do not sow unnecessary chaos, nor do they allow themselves to be overwhelmed by it. There is an overarching sense of tranquility in their lives. Being peaceful doesn't mean they come across as insipid or ethereal. They can be individuals filled with fervor, often sweeping away the unnecessary drama in your life like a tornado. Their peace emanates from their inner harmony, transcending mere confidence. It's an earned and seasoned trust in life. Seek out those revered spiritual figures who leave you feeling as though you've been gently washed and hung out to dry. You might be slightly astonished, but you'll be awakened, rejuvenated, and a bit cleaner. Joy is, indeed, the ultimate measure of their success.
They prioritize making predictions.
Fortunetelling isn't synonymous with spirituality. While it might be a cultural practice, it doesn't align with genuine spirituality. Predicting your future can disrupt your thoughts, strip away your agency, and make you reliant on someone else's interpretation of events. The future is not fixed. In certain cases, it might be necessary to provide a forewarning or anticipate an outcome, and in such instances, a spiritual figure might choose to communicate a solution. If they are truly proficient, they will convey only the solution, not the prediction. Competent spiritual figures understand the workings of the subconscious mind and recognize that revealing your future may likely lead you to either avoid what you seek or invite what you hope to evade.
Those who predominantly offer predictions are often catering to the false belief that life can be controlled in some way. Frequently, these predictions are simply inaccurate. When predictions prove to be erroneous, the recipient of the prediction may spiral into confusion, self-blame, or anxiety, believing they have been forsaken by a higher power because the prediction didn't materialize. What these false prophets are truly offering is hope, and one should exercise great caution with spiritual figures who primarily offer hope. They should be offering empowerment and inspiration instead. This is precisely why predictions about your soulmate are alluring but ultimately misleading. The quest for a soulmate is a vulnerable endeavor that ignites hope, such as believing that love will arrive during a specific celestial event in the future. However, this keeps you fixated on the future, awaiting a miracle. Turn to those esteemed spiritual figures who reveal the miracle of your current life moment. By this, I mean they guide you toward making the best use of your energy at present. They illuminate your blind spots and harness your strengths to help you take the next step, and only the next step, toward creating the life you desire.
They exude self-righteousness, hypercriticism, and judgment.
A counterfeit spiritual figure is often quick to attribute "negative vibes" to others or may feign empathy and compassion when boundaries and protection are needed. They are either perpetually vigilant, identifying what they perceive as others' flaws, or they lack self-preservation skills and often find themselves in a doormat or victim role. In either scenario, this behavior stems from a belief that they are special, extraordinary, superior, or holier (especially holier than you, of course). It's a spiritualized form of a superiority complex.
They are swift to employ shame as a means of control and use the concept of truth to mask their critical and judgmental tendencies. These spiritual individuals frequently strive to mold others into replicas of themselves. What makes this type of spiritual figure particularly deceptive is that they often adopt the latest trends in political correctness, creating the impression of being "woke" and socially aware. They employ trendy terms like "activism" or "trauma-informed" (typically with significant social media traction) to describe their work, yet they seldom emanate genuine love. Seek out those esteemed spiritual figures who genuinely desire the best for you. They have such unwavering faith in you that it can be irritating. They see you, without judgment, and with love. When necessary, they help you address your imbalances and believe in the best version of yourself. They don't require a laundry list of titles or labels to do so.
They peddle fantasies for profit.
This is most commonly observed among law-of-attraction gurus but can also be found in practitioners of magick. They promise outcomes like, "If you do [insert something often involving a hefty price tag and numerous hoops to jump through], you'll live happily ever after, gain 1,000 clients daily, marry in five months, remove a curse, prevent all misfortunes, etc." Miracles follow their timeline. The most a teacher, psychic, or guru can do is create an environment conducive to their manifestation. This is the realm of authentic spirituality—the realm of co-creation. A true spiritual figure focuses on helping you keep the door to miracles open, rather than attempting to control or force extraordinary events.
Turn to those esteemed spiritual figures who are grounded in practicality and deeply connected to everyday life. They may appear ordinary, unimpressive, and speak in everyday language. Yet, their words resonate with you, make sense, and convey a sense of camaraderie. Just by listening to them, you find yourself transformed, and the miracles you seek begin to unfold simply by being in contact with their energy.
In conclusion, spirituality is a means of experiencing the divine magic of life on Earth, and there is nothing wrong with seeking it. Maintain your genuine desire, but exercise discernment. We all require teachers, mentors, and guides—there's no doubt about that. Remember that you become who you associate with, so surround yourself with those who ignite your soul's passion. Such individuals do indeed exist.
Comments
Post a Comment