Hello people.
Thank you for listening.
I've gone back and forth a few days wondering if I should record this talk or not.
It's the middle of the night here in the UK and it's quiet and this subject is going round in my head quite a lot so if you wouldn't mind indulging me speaking on this topic for a few minutes.
I've been reflecting lately on the subtle ways that something I like to call spiritual snobbery can show up in our lovely communities.
And it's rarely deliberate or on purpose and comes from people who genuinely do care.
But the problem is even unintentional things can create distance or even worse shame.
When spirituality,
For want of a better word,
Is surely meant to bring us closer together.
One example I've heard a couple of people speaking about recently and I have some personal experience with of taking anti-anxiety medication and antidepressants.
I heard someone in a lovely community who expressed the belief that taking mental health medication is somehow less spiritual and doesn't allow you to hold gentle space for others.
Or because you're taking medication you still haven't done enough inner work.
I think that's such a strange idea when you really sit with it.
Because yeah,
In a ideal world maybe none of us would need medication at all.
But real life is much more grey and textured.
It's not black or white.
For many people these medicines are what keeps them stable and safe and grounded enough to even begin an inner exploratory journey.
Surely making someone feel guilty or less than for taking care of the mental health really isn't spiritual or kind.
It simply comes across as another form of health shaming.
Particularly mental health shaming.
And it's dressed up in flowing robes and sacred language.
And once you start noticing these patterns you start to see in others.
Often gentle and subtle but still these things are capable of making people feel less than or small.
Even,
I understand,
Even if it's not the intention.
Higher vibration people wouldn't struggle with that is something I've heard fairly recently.
This statement turns everyday human emotions in to a spiritual scoreboard.
As if grief or anxiety or frustration are all signs of failure.
Instead of an integral part of being human it pressures people to bypass their real feelings.
Another thing I see is competitive enlightenment.
Who meditates more?
Who eats cleaner?
Who has more profound visions?
As though spirituality were something you could win and get a certificate for at the end.
Real depth has nothing to do with competition.
It has everything to do with being humble and humility.
Another vibe that is quite common is that I've transcended my normal life tone.
Sometimes I feel there's a quiet judgment of people who work regular jobs,
Have to parent young children or deal with very real financial pressures.
But spirituality isn't about floating above the world.
It's being in it.
Present in it.
That surely could be argued what we're here for too.
And then there is a barrier that I feel no one really talks about.
Especially in the area I come from in the UK,
In the home counties.
In some spiritual spaces,
Especially events and retreats,
There can be an unspoken sense of exclusivity.
Almost as if spirituality is more accessible to those with money,
Time or the lifestyle to attend.
Working class people may feel the door is only half open.
Not because they're not spiritual but because the culture around certain events.
And this isn't all of them by any stretch.
I've been to many events that are amazingly inclusive and there's all sorts of people there.
But there are others,
For want of a better word,
That are more gatekeepery.
And I feel when we create environments where you need the right clothes,
The right vocabulary,
The right accent,
The right level of disposable income to belong,
We shift spirituality from a shared human birthright.
That's what it is.
Spirituality,
And I use the word spirituality reluctantly because of,
For want of a better word,
But spirituality is our birthright.
And it is sad to see some people try to take it from us and then try to sell the illusion that you need to be part of some sort of exclusive members club to be fully spiritual.
When obviously it's within you.
Spirituality should meet people where they are,
Not where a trend or a price tag demands they be.
Let's bring into being and imagine a spiritual world where every person feels welcome the moment they step in it.
A world where not one person is judged by their struggles,
Their background,
Health issues,
Income or the tools that they need to use to stay healthy.
A world where the path belongs equally to the single parent,
The night shift worker,
The student,
The healer,
The person rebuilding their life from scratch and the person rediscovering their breath.
What if spirituality felt like a warm light rather than a big spotlight like on a stage.
A place where you can show up exactly as you are with nothing to prove.
You see in that kind of world compassion becomes the foundation,
Community actually becomes the practice and everyone brings something important to the circle.
You belong in that world.
Your path is valid,
Your journey is enough and no matter who you are or where you're from,
Spirituality is your home.
It has room for you and don't let anybody try to weed the illusion that it's not or you can't access it without,
I don't know,
A £8,
000 retreat.
If you're still listening then thank you so much.
This talk hasn't really got all my fully formed ideas that I want to express yet but I thought I'd get something out there and see the reaction to people and if people agree with me or not and I'd love to expand on it further with more nuance if people resonate with what I'm saying.
These reflections I shared do come from a place of curiosity and care and I hope they offered something grounding and encouraging for those who have got this far into the recording.
Wherever you are in your journey,
May you feel supported,
Welcomed and held with such kindness.
Have a beautiful rest of your day and know this,
You are always welcome to return to this circle whenever you need a reminder of your strength and belonging.
Join me on Meditating with Mark,
The free Insight Timer group where I'm trying to gather together a bunch of like-minded souls where we can chat and suggest different meditations or courses that anybody would like to hear and check in with each other.
I'd love to have you there.
Until then,
Have a beautiful rest of your day.
Go in peace.
Namaste
