How Do New-Age Influencers Mislead And Deceive?
When it comes to real, pure spiritual development, there are not many influencers out there who are living and breathing the most sacred and Dharmic teachings.
While it’s none of our business what other people do in general, it’s important to filter the messages we consume so we do not pollute the waters of our Souls.
In all things, remain prayerful, hopeful, and faithful to your deity or Spiritual Master/Guru. These enlightened souls are rare, so keep an eye out for them. One of the most expanded masters of all time is Amma, also known as Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. Her mission is quite remarkable, and her work can be found at Amma.org.
There are other Spiritual Masters like Amma, including Yogananda, Mother Meera, and Anandamayi Ma. The Universe often blesses creation with truly expanded and perfect Beings.
With an ascended master as your guide, you will always be protected.
While not all new-age influencers deceive their followers, there are certain patterns and practices within the new-age movement that can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of spiritual development.
Sometimes, new-age influencers use hype, misleading ideas & questions, and outrageous marketing hooks to funnel you into purchases and addictions that are not in line with your purest Self. While some of these products and services are benign, they can waste your money, time, and energy, better spent on purer Self-exploratory tools and processes.
New-Age Opinions And Other Excrements
The New Age movement, a diverse and decentralized blend of spiritual beliefs and practices, has long been a crucible for the convergence of opinion, projection, and narcissism. At its heart, the movement seeks to empower individuals through spiritual awakening and self-realization, often drawing from a rich tapestry of metaphysical traditions, psychology, and holistic health. However, this focus on the individual’s journey and the subjective nature of spiritual experience can sometimes magnify personal opinions and projections, leading to a fertile ground for narcissistic tendencies.
Opinions in the New Age movement are as varied as the practices it encompasses, ranging from astrology and crystal healing to more profound beliefs in reincarnation and personal divinity. The highly personal and subjective nature of these beliefs allows for a broad interpretation of spiritual principles, often based more on personal conviction than empirical evidence. This environment encourages individuals to project their personal desires and beliefs onto the movement, sometimes at the expense of a cohesive or shared understanding. The emphasis on personal truth and the validity of individual experience over collective wisdom or scientific scrutiny can, in some cases, sideline critical thinking and skepticism.
Narcissism finds a particularly conducive environment in aspects of the New Age movement that prioritize self-actualization and personal enlightenment above all else. While the journey toward self-improvement and spiritual awakening is noble, the emphasis on the self can sometimes skew toward self-absorption. In its more extreme manifestations, this focus can lead to a form of spiritual narcissism, where one’s own spiritual growth and enlightenment are seen as superior to others’, leading to a hierarchy of spiritual attainment that contradicts the movement’s more inclusive and egalitarian ideals.
The digital age has amplified these tendencies, with social media platforms providing a vast stage for individuals to share their spiritual insights and achievements, sometimes more for the sake of validation and attention than genuine sharing or community building. The echo chambers created by online algorithms can reinforce narrow opinions, projective identification, and narcissistic behaviors, making it challenging to discern genuine spiritual engagement from self-promotion.
Despite these challenges, the New Age movement continues to thrive, offering solace and meaning to many. Its resilience lies in its adaptability and its ability to incorporate new ideas and criticisms. For the movement to evolve constructively, there may need to be a greater emphasis on critical engagement, community accountability, and the balancing of individual exploration with collective wisdom. As it stands, the interplay of opinion, projection, and narcissism within the New Age movement serves as both a driving force and a cautionary tale of the complexities involved in navigating the spiritual landscape of the modern world.
Here are some ways in which individuals may be deceived when seeking real and pure spiritual development:
Oversimplification: Some new-age influencers offer overly simplistic or “quick-fix” solutions to complex spiritual and life issues. True spiritual development often requires time, effort, and deep introspection, and it is not always as straightforward as some influencers may suggest.
Overall, performing the deeper work is neither pretty nor enjoyable – and it’s difficult to market this in a clean, clear, and honest way.
Commercialization: In pursuing profit, some influencers prioritize selling distracting and unworthy products, workshops, or services over genuine spiritual tools, practices, and guidance. This commercialization can lead to a focus on material gain rather than authentic spiritual growth. Chogyam Trungpa talks about this in many of his books.
Misleading Claims: Some influencers make grandiose claims about their own spiritual abilities or experiences, which can be misleading or exaggerated. These claims may create unrealistic expectations among their followers and fans.
It’s important to note that there is a huge difference between Spiritual Teachers and Spiritual Masters or Gurus. Be attentive to these differences, and make sure you are always focused on your deity or an enlightened master.
Cultural Appropriation: New-age influencers may borrow spiritual practices or symbols from various cultures without understanding, practicing, or respecting their origins and significance. This can be disrespectful and harm the integrity of the practices.
While it’s okay to borrow, make sure the influencers you follow tell the whole story rather than extract slivers of ancient truths to serve their own purposes.
Lack of Training or Qualifications: Not all new-age influencers have formal training or qualifications in spiritual or therapeutic fields. This can lead to misinformation and potentially harmful advice being disseminated.
If we ingest ideas that serve only a fraction of our soul’s development, we could delay our own expansion, healing, and Self-realization. Be careful out there.
Promotion of Materialism: The new-age movement can sometimes inadvertently encourage materialism by suggesting that specific products or rituals are necessary for spiritual growth. This can divert attention away from the inner work that true spiritual development often entails.
If the tools and teachings you seek take you deeper within your Self or help you deeply heal, then you are headed in the right direction.
Promotion of Narcissism: Some new-age teachings may inadvertently encourage narcissism or Self-absorption by emphasizing personal gain, success, or happiness without considering the broader context of interconnectedness and empathy.
Truly, the illusions of this world are not worthy of your worship.
Overemphasis on Positive Thinking: While positive thinking has its merits, an excessive focus on it can neglect the importance of acknowledging and processing difficult emotions, healing the roots of your pain, and dealing with real-world life challenges, which are all part of the human experience.
Lack of Critical Thinking: Followers may be encouraged to accept teachings without critical examination, which can hinder independent thought and discernment. Always evaluate the teachings and tools in your life according to your comfort and current sense of Self.
If you are moving too quickly away from your Self, you could do your Self more harm than good. Take your time, evaluate, consider, reevaluate, and then see what feels right for you.
Promise of Instant Enlightenment: Some new-age influencers claim to offer instant or effortless enlightenment, which can be misleading. True spiritual development often involves a gradual and ongoing process of self-discovery and growth.
I am always sad to see an influencer speak of sparkly, high-pizazz ideas but fail to tell you about how much effort is required to reach your purest spiritual goals.
And if your “spiritual” teacher suggests suicide as a possible option, they are not working or living in the light. Suicide is not an option for those who seek the deepest and purest expansions of Soul and Self!
Trust in The Divine and The Divine will help you see beyond your circumstances and ailments, inching you toward the release of attachment and helping you heal and deeply know your Being.
While there are many valuable insights and practices within the new-age movement, seek guidance from credible sources who prioritize genuine spiritual growth, The Dharma, and ethical principles.
You are love embodied and loved for all time. Check out The Shankara Oracle – you’ll love it.
Author: Shri Krishna Kalesh
Shri Krishna Kalesh is a mystic who guides people as a Spiritual Guide, Intuitive Reader, Dharma Teacher, and Coach. He has served thousands of people toward their healing and expansion - through personal sessions, mystical readings, courses, and retreats. His mission is to help others source their own boundless creative genius and joy, embody virtue, find clarity, and master their lives. Shri Krishna Kalesh created The Shankara Oracle as a divine portal to The Unlimited, All-Knowing, All-Conscious Universe.