The Business of Spirituality

05/19/24 • 19 min

Two thousand-plus years ago, we had Oracles, Seers, and Temple Priestesses. You’d be hard-pressed to find any Oracles wondering how they would make rent this month. Nor did your friendly local Temple Priestess of Athena have to wonder where her next meal would come from. These skilled healers and teachers would be financially taken care of by their community, just like the butcher and baker of the town. If you believe that those working in the spiritual realm should not be financially compensated for their services, think about this. Doctors are healers, too. Would you expect them to give you their care for free?

Previous Episode

Rise of the Spiritual Influencer: Insta-Healers

In the swirling vortex (or cesspool, depending on who you speak to) of spirituality and self-improvement, a new trend has emerged, one that mixes dubious ancient wisdom with modern marketing plus the lure of an unrealistic, aspirational lifestyle to create something that feels egregious to those who quietly do spiritual work to better themselves and the human collective.

Next Episode

Spiritual Bypassing & Aspirational Spirituality

Spiritual Bypassing

The “Good Vibes Only” road will likely get you to “Despair Ahead Inevitable.” Toxic positivity is chaotic and appeals to many. Love and light all-day-every-day is not a thing. Yet, many spiritual influencers and healers have amassed a rabid following around this axiom.

Aspirational Spirituality

Despite proclamations of unity and equality in the spiritual community, a hierarchy of holiness exists. This spiritual elitism, whether through self-proclaimed shamans or those claiming exclusive divine lineages, undermines the collective journey toward enlightenment. It is more of the same old paradigm wrapped in prettier marketing paper.