Can a spiritual person be a narcissist?
February 22, 2023
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February 24, 2023Can a spiritual person be a narcissist?
This is part three of a 3 part series on the spiritual ego; read parts one here and two here
In this final part, I will discuss more about the ego and the self, the main ways an unmanaged spiritual ego disrupts spiritual development.
Internal bias and prejudices and why they are important to understand, change and manage to stop the spiritual ego from turning into spiritual narcissism.
The spiritual egos link to anxiety and depression; then, I will discuss the importance of respecting other people’s cultures and the dangers of making assumptions.
Finishing up by talking about Detachment and how to practice it so you can avoid or try to cure spiritual narcissism.
Table of contents
The Ego and the Spiritual Self
As discussed, the typical ego and the spiritual self, which has its own ego, are two distinct yet interconnected parts of our inner being.
The ego is the conscious part of our personality and is concerned with the survival and protection of the individual.
It is conscious of the external world, and focused on the material or physical needs of the individual.
On the other hand, the spiritual self is the deeper and more expansive part of our being.
It is the source of our intuition, creativity, and deeper understanding of our life’s purpose.
It is the part of us that is connected with our soul, and its need is for spiritual nourishment and growth.
It is the part of us that knows there is something beyond the physical world, something that is greater and more powerful.
To manage your spiritual ego and manage its negative effects, you will need to understand it and learn how to use it wisely, which can take time and research.
Blinded Version
- Recognise when the spiritual ego is trying to take control and try not to obey its commands blindly.
- Remember that spirituality isn’t about having an easy life or feeling superior – spirituality is about self-awareness and growth, so it is important to build a practice of self-awareness into all you do.
- Cultivate compassion for yourself – give yourself permission to make mistakes without beating yourself up over them
- Practice tai chi, meditation, yoga or anything else that helps you to become more in tune with your mind, body and soul and become still, regularly as these practices help calm and focus your thoughts; spiritual exercise will support you in finding inner peace and build your self-awareness
- Focus on your strengths and qualities rather than your weaknesses. This will help you develop a more positive self-image
- Seek out supportive and understanding people who will accept you for who you are, including your shadow self- and inner darkness.
- Spend time in nature – the beauty and peace of the natural world can help soothe your spiritual ego
- Read inspiring books and articles, and listen to motivating podcasts and audio files – filling your mind with positive messages will help control the negative voice of the spiritual ego.
- Get professional help if you feel you are struggling to control your spiritual ego – a therapist can offer guidance and support in learning how to manage your ego in a healthy way.
The spiritual ego and its link to depression and anxiety
As discussed extensively, the spiritual ego is the part of us that wants to be special and unique, to stand out from the crowd; it’s okay and authentic to want to be your best self, but it is fake to expect others to praise you for doing so.
As said, the spiritual ego is not all bad; it is what drives us to seek out new and exciting experiences and to feel like we’re doing something meaningful with our lives.
But while the spiritual ego can be a source of inspiration and motivation, it can also lead to negative consequences like anxiety and depression.
When our spiritual ego is unchecked, as mentioned above, it can cause us to compare ourselves constantly to others, leading to feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.
We may start feeling that we’re not good enough or that we don’t deserve the good things that come our way.
We may become obsessed with achieving perfection or beat ourselves up for not being perfect.
This can lead to a downward spiral of negative thoughts and repressed emotions that can be very difficult to break out of.
The spiritual ego can take control of our thoughts and emotions, leading to an overall sense of disconnection from our faith or spiritual practice.
If you don’t take steps to deal with the root causes of any psychological or emotionally driven depression and anxiety, so you can understand, heal and manage them then this can cause spiritual depression, which can be a harder cycle to break.
If you are experiencing depression and anxiety, it is important to take the necessary steps to understand and address the root causes.
Ignoring the underlying cause will only lead to further difficulties, potentially resulting in spiritual depression.
This type of depression is more difficult to overcome and can become increasingly more challenging to manage if left untreated.
It is essential to take the time to identify the source of the depression and anxiety, seek professional help and guidance to develop methods to manage the issues if you feel you need to properly.
This can include Psychological and emotional therapies, lifestyle changes, and medications are all elements to consider when treating spiritual and other forms of depression.
Counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, and interpersonal therapy are some of the most common therapeutic methods used to treat non-spiritual depression.
Additionally, it is beneficial to focus on self-care and relaxation to help manage the symptoms of spiritual depression and get help, if need be, from an authentic spiritual healer without becoming too dependent on them.
Exercise and other stress-relieving activities are great ways to reduce all forms of depression.
Getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol and drugs can also help improve mental health.
Regular physical activity, even just a few minutes a day, can greatly reduce the symptoms of mental health disorders.
Additionally, it can be beneficial to practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, and mindfulness meditation to help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
Furthermore, talking to a trusted doctor or mental health professional can help someone better understand their individual needs and get the support needed.
With a comprehensive plan and tailored support, spiritual and all other forms of depression and anxiety can be effectively managed.
It will take time, and they will be times when you fall back into depressive and anxious states; these are all part of life.
The main ways an unmanaged ego disrupts spiritual development
There are four main ways in which ego impacts our spiritual growth – attachment, aversion, delusion and suffering.
Attachment means identifying with or becoming obsessed with our ego;
aversion refers to hatred towards anything that doesn’t match up with how we see ourselves; delusion leads us to believe things that aren’t true about ourselves, and suffering cuts us off the fullness of ourselves and life.
By understanding these concepts and how they relate to ego, we can begin working on removing them from our lives one by one so that we may reach enlightenment or connect more deeply with Spiritual guidance instead of relying on an illusory idea of ‘self’.
1. Attachment: The first-way ego disrupts our spiritual development is through attachment.
When we identify with or become obsessed with our egos, we think that our thoughts, emotions, and physical bodies define us.
This causes us to become attached to the material world and leads to a sense of separation from the rest of existence.
We may start believing that we are better than others or that we deserve more than them, which can lead to feelings of jealousy, envy, and greed. Additionally, this attachment can cause us to suffer when things don’t go according to our plan or when we don’t get what we want.
2. Aversion: The second-way ego disrupts our spiritual development is through aversion. This refers to the hatred towards anything that doesn't match up with how we see ourselves.
We may judge others harshly, be quick to anger, or hold grudges against those who have wronged us in the past. Additionally, this can manifest as an avoidance of certain experiences because we are afraid of facing them head-on.
For example, someone may avoid meditation because they fear confronting their thoughts and emotions.
3. Delusion: The third-way ego disrupts our spiritual development is through delusion. This occurs when we believe things about ourselves that aren't true.
We may think that we are smarter, better-looking, or more special than others when in reality, nobody is perfect, and everyone has their own unique talents and qualities.
Additionally, we may hold onto false beliefs about the world around us, which can prevent us from seeing the truth of existence. For example, someone may believe that they will never be happy because they grew up in a poor family or area .
4. Suffering: The fourth-way ego disrupts our spiritual development is through suffering.
This occurs when we experience pain and suffering in our lives as a result of our attachment to the material world or aversion to certain experiences.
We may suffer from physical, emotional, or mental pain depending on what we are attached to or what we are avoiding.
Additionally, this can lead us to feel like victims of our circumstances, which can further hinder our spiritual development.
What are internalised biases and prejudiced thought patterns, and how can managing them help reduce the harmful effects of the spiritual ego?
Internalised biases and prejudiced thought patterns are the underlying prejudices and beliefs people unconsciously hold.
These biases and thoughts are often a result of socialisation and cultural norms, which influence our behaviour and shape our opinions and beliefs.
Internalised biases can take many forms, including cultural, religious, racial and gender-based, and can manifest in our attitude and behaviour towards others.
For example, people may hold a stereotype about a particular race or gender, such as believing that men are more capable of manual labour than women.
This type of internalised bias can result in discriminatory behaviour without the person being aware of it.
Prejudice thought patterns are a type of cognitive bias in which we form negative opinions and beliefs about a person or group of people.
This type of cognitive bias can be based on race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other distinguishing characteristic, and can lead to false assumptions about their character.
Prejudice thought patterns can lead to discrimination, stereotyping, or scapegoating.
They can cause our brains to form mental shortcuts, creating stereotypes and prejudices that may be difficult to overcome.
These prejudice thought patterns can also be reinforced by the media, cultural norms, and even family values.
This can lead to subconscious biases that can be difficult to recognise but can still damage the way we perceive ourselves and those around us.
This is especially true when it comes to recognising and challenging our own biases and prejudices.
Over time, these thought patterns can become entrenched and form a cycle of prejudice that can have serious consequences for individuals and entire groups of people.
It is, therefore, essential to recognise and challenge our biases and prejudices to create a more inclusive and tolerant society.
These biases and prejudices can negatively impact our spiritual development, as they can lead to feelings of superiority or a sense of entitlement which can feed into the ego.
It is important to manage these internalised biases and prejudices to reduce the effect of these biases on your spiritual ego and stop spiritual narcissism from forming.
This can be done by being aware of them and actively working to challenge them.
This is done by being conscious of them and correctly interrogating our thoughts and behaviours.
It is also essential to take note of when we make assumptions, as this can be an indicator of our biases.
Through self-reflection and education on the dangers of prejudice, as well as through understanding the experiences of those who you may hold internalised biases and prejudiced views about.
We can take steps to gain a better understanding of different cultures and perspectives, and to break down any walls we may have erected due to our biases.
By engaging in meaningful conversations and interactions with those who are different from us, we can learn more about their beliefs, lifestyles, and values.
Additionally, attending cultural events, visiting a new place, or even reading a book about a different culture can help broaden our perspectives.
We should also strive to be mindful of our own cultural assumptions and challenge ourselves to gain a more holistic understanding of other cultures.
With patience and dedication, we can learn to appreciate and understand cultures that are different from our own; being more accepting of all the different beliefs and cultures in the world.
As well as, all the different sides of your own self can reduce the negative manifestations of the spiritual ego and help you avoid or mitigate spiritual narcissism.
The spiritual ego can be an insidious force; and as already explained, it can be hard to recognise, as it is often disguised beneath our own personal experience and individual perspectives.
The spiritual ego can be challenging to manage, and it is often rooted in subconscious beliefs and patterns that can be very hard to recognise and challenge.
We all have internalised biases, which may be deeply embedded in our spiritual ego.
By recognising and challenging these subconscious beliefs and prejudice through patterns, we can cultivate a more balanced and healthy spiritual ego that is more in touch with our innermost self and can help us better navigate life’s challenges.
It is important to remember that ego is not something that can be eliminated entirely; rather, it can be managed and balanced.
This can be done through self-reflection and awareness, as well as through practices such as meditation and mindfulness that help to bring a sense of balance and perspective.
When we can better manage our egos, we can become more humble and open-minded to new ideas and experiences.
We can also become more aware of when our egos are taking control, and take steps to bring ourselves back to a state of equilibrium.
If you find yourself in a cycle of negative thinking, it’s useful to seek out tools to help you break out of this cycle if you find it hard to release yourself from crippling thoughts of spiritual aniexty and depression.
Reach out for help from a spiritual or alternative therapist, healer or counsellor who can help you learn how to manage your spiritual ego in a healthy way.
So what is Detachment, and how do you practice it?
Spiritual Detachment is the act of separating yourself from the material, spiritual, psychological and emotional influences that can have a negative impact on your spiritual growth.
It is a way of letting go of the things that can weigh you down on your spiritual journey and focusing on what truly matters.
It is a practice of non-attachment and letting go of the things that do not serve your highest good.
Learning to be detached from people, things, and yourself can help you manage your spiritual ego and prevent or help you cure your spiritual narcissism.
By learning to detach from people, things and even themselves, individuals can better understand the spiritual ego and how to manage it better to prevent or help cure spiritual narcissism.
Detaching from people can be done by not taking things too personally and not internalising what others say and do.
It can also involve learning to accept the opinions of others without feeling threatened.
Detachment is an integral part of a spiritual practice that can help us live a life in balance.
Detachment is the state of being free from attachments to outcomes, people, or things.
It is the state of mind when we are no longer tied to the outcome of how life must be; we free ourselves up to abundant possibilities of what life can be.
Detachment allows us to trust and surrender rather than control.
Detachment is not a passive state but one that requires effort and practice.
When you detach, you become aware of what truly matters to you and your values.
You can separate yourself from the things that can distract you from achieving your spiritual goals.
You can let go of the expectations and opinions of others and instead focus on the things that bring joy and fulfilment in life.
When you detach from the day-to-day hustle and bustle of life, you can begin to become more aware of what truly matters to you and your values.
It’s about taking the time to step back and recognise the things that really matter.
You can separate yourself from the things that distract you from achieving your emotional, physical, psychological, spiritual and other goals.
Even if it’s just for a few moments each day, taking the time to detach can help you gain a better perspective.
You can let go of the expectations and opinions of others, and instead focus on the things that bring you authentic joy and fulfilment.
It is not only difficult to say goodbye to people, places and things we hold dear, but also to the people, musicians, sports teams, films and television shows that we have formed attachments to.
The bonds we create with these aspects of our lives can be just as strong, and letting go of them can be equally as hard.
We may not have physical conversations with these people, but they can have a strong emotional impact on us.
For example, if a beloved musician passes away, it can be a complex and emotional process to accept the loss, and it can be tough to carry on without them.
Similarly, if a team we have followed for years is relegated or we have to move to a new city and leave behind our family and friends, it can create a deep feeling of grief, sadness, and emptiness.
However, it is essential to take a step back, detach from the pressures of society, and look to anything outside of you to bring you inner happiness and peace; this may sound alien to you and is hard to do.
The happiness within
It is important to remember that depending on external people and things to bring you happiness and inner stability will always cause suffering.
This is because only you have the power to give yourself emotional, spiritual and psychological security.
If you depend on others for these things, you will live an unstable life as other people can change their minds and the world around us is always changing.
Therefore, it is vital to recognise that true and lasting security can only come from within.
You can connect with yourself and tap into your inner power and strength.
This will give you a sense of security and stability, even in times of change and uncertainty.
This cannot be easy, as it requires stepping away from the ideas and opinions you’ve been surrounded by for so long and exploring what brings you true happiness.
But practising Detachment will help you make decisions that are more aligned with your own values, rather than what you think others expect of you.
Taking the time to detach from your attachments is a challenging and emotionally intense process.
It requires you to confront the person you think you are and determine if that is indeed who you authentically are.
It may mean releasing relationships, ideas, or even habits that have become comfortable and familiar to you.
This can be an uncomfortable and painful experience, but it is vital for growth and development and will ultimately lead you to become more aligned with who you truly are.
It is important to remember that this process is not easy, but by taking the time to detach from your attachments and put in the hard work, you can reap the rewards of a more authentic and meaningful life and reduce the negative effects of the spiritual ego.
In summary, Detachment allows us to trust and surrender rather than control.
Detaching from things involves letting go of one’s attachment to material possessions, experiences, and even people.
In some cases, it may mean accepting that we can’t control every outcome and releasing our attachment to a particular outcome.
It also means releasing our need to identify with certain things and embracing the idea of change.
This can be especially difficult if we’ve become overly attached to material possessions, experiences, or people.
Detaching from these kinds of things can help us break unhealthy attachment patterns and create more space for ourselves to grow.
It can also help us gain perspective and recognise when we take things too personally.
Detaching from things can be difficult, but it is an integral part of life, although it requires a lot of strength and courage to do it.
You can also gain perspective and better understand when we are taking things too personally.
Releasing attachments can help open our hearts and minds to a world of possibility.
Detaching from something may feel like it’s a sign of surrender, but in actuality, it’s a sign of strength.
Letting go allows us to become more independent and resilient, allowing us to grow and appreciate the things and people in our lives more deeply.
In this way, letting go enables us to create a life of more meaningful connections with others, and a greater sense of autonomy in our own lives.
It can be tough, but with determination and courage, we can find freedom and joy in releasing our attachments and embracing new possibilities.
There are many ways to practice Detachment. One way is to meditate and focus on your breath.
Another way is to spend time in nature and appreciates the beauty around you without attachment to material possessions.
You can also practice Detachment by doing things that make you happy without attachment to the outcome or results.
A big part of authentic Detachment involves taking time to deal with your spiritual, emotional and psychological trauma, as this is how you find true inner peace that doesn’t rely on spiritual tools, clothes or any other form of spiritual materialism.
Some things to keep in mind when practising Detachment are to be aware of your thoughts and feelings and to let go of the need to control outcomes.
It is also vital to practice non-attachment by accepting things as they are and not trying to change them.
Lastly, it is essential to be grateful for what you have and not dwell on what you don’t have.
In conclusion
The normal and spiritual ego is a necessary part of our lives, but it should not be in control.
It’s what allows us to connect with our higher selves and learn more about ourselves.
However, spiritual ego can also have adverse effects on our lives, as it can lead to feelings of superiority or self-importance.
To overcome these effects, we first need to acknowledge that spiritual ego exists and then work on overcoming its negative consequences.
By acknowledging its presence and working through the spiritual egos’ negative effects, we can gradually transform our lives for the better.
Allowing the spiritual ego to run rampant and fall into spiritual narcissism can prevent us from achieving our full potential and experiencing true happiness.
The narcissistic spiritual ego can prevent us from connecting with the deeper aspects of who we are and can become so strong that it takes control of our lives.
So it is crucial to develop a healthy spiritual ego that allows us to navigate through life while still maintaining our connection to the divine.
Self-awareness is your number one tool against a tool to defend yourself from spiritual narcissism; to be self-aware means being conscious-alert of your thoughts, emotions, and actions in the present moment.
By doing this, you can begin to see when the ego is trying to take over, and we can stop it in its tracks.
Additionally, it would help if you practised compassion both for yourself and others.
Compassion allows you to see the humanity in all beings, which can help us to let go of attachment and feelings of self-interest or superiority.
Finally, you should strive for Detachment from the material world and wanting to control people or things.
This doesn’t mean that we should never enjoy the things that life has to offer, but we should be aware of not allowing ourselves to become attached to them, especially for a source of stability or happiness.
When we can detach ourselves from the material world, we are able to see the beauty in life that goes beyond what our eyes can see.
Spiritual ego is part of the process. Embrace it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Spiritual ego is the belief that we are separate from and superior to everything else in the world.
This can cripple our ability to connect with others and make lasting positive changes.
When spiritual ego arises, it’s important to recognise it, understand why we cling to it, and work towards overcoming its negative effects.
It is neither good nor bad, it just is, but it can become a toxic thing if we don’t manage it just like the normal ego; the spiritual ego must be controlled, or it can be soul destructive.
When the spiritual ego becomes a dominant force in our lives, it can lead to negative consequences like a superiority complex and staying stuck in our spiritual and personal development.
However, when the spiritual ego is balanced with other aspects of who we are (such as the physical ego), it can be helpful in times of turmoil or challenge.
It can give us a sense of control over our lives and allow for growth.
Since the spiritual ego is a complex and sensitive topic, it is important to explore and understand it on a personal level before making any judgements about it.
Once you understand what spiritual ego means for you, it will be easier to manage and overcome any negative effects it may have on your life.
There are many benefits to having a spiritual ego. In short, it’s a mindset that focuses on your inner self and what matters to you.
Having a spiritual ego allows you to connect with your emotions, the divine, and your soul.
It can also help you manage difficult situations by giving you the strength to persevere.
However, one of the downsides of having a spiritual ego is that it can cause you negative feelings like envy, jealousy, and arrogance.
When these negative emotions are allowed to fester-grow, they can lead to destructive behaviour and emotional scars.
So, in conclusion, if spirituality is important to you, then it’s definitely worth developing a spiritual ego. However, be prepared for some tough times along the way – but overall, the journey will be worth it!
Spiritual ego is a self-centred belief system that comes with the idea of being better than others.
It can create feelings of superiority and make you feel like you’re the only one who has access to divine knowledge.
The negative effects of spiritual ego are: You’ll be less compassionate, your relationships will suffer, and your happiness will diminish.
To overcome spiritual ego, start by acknowledging its presence in your life and learning to accept it for what it is.
Then start working on building healthier relationships with yourself, learning to understand and heal your emotional, spiritual and psychological traumas, as well as learning to treat yourself and others with respect.
Toxic spirituality is a term used to describe a type of religious or spiritual thinking that can be harmful and negative.
Some common examples of toxic thought patterns include self-obsession, mind reading, expecting too much from God – your higher power or others, and excessive guilt.
Spiritual egoism refers to the belief that your own spiritual path is the only true one instead of accepting other paths as valid options.
Toxic spirituality oftentimes leads people down dark roads where they become suffocated by their spiritual beliefs and practice.
In short, toxic spirituality is when you adopt an unhealthy and limiting way of thinking about spirituality that can have negative consequences on your mental and emotional health.
The spiritual ego trap is the tendency of humans to become overly attached to their own thoughts, feelings and experiences. This can lead to problems such as self-judgement, pride and envy.
When we are caught in the spiritual ego trap, it’s hard for us to see things from other people’s perspectives or take into account their feelings.
One way of overcoming the negative effects of the spiritual ego trap is by learning how to be accepting and forgiving towards ourselves.
When the narcissistic spiritual ego starts to take hold, it can lead to negative effects like depression, anxiety, and self-judgement, although you may deny this.
In essence, the narcissistic spiritual ego thinks it’s the divine power and law onto itself.
Suffering from spiritual ego can also lead to a lack of compassion, which can cause you to lash out at others or disconnect from them emotionally.
In short, the selfish spiritual ego can create a lot of suffering in your life, although you may see it as a blessing when you are stuck in it.
Fortunately, by understanding the narcissistic spiritual ego and how it works and practising self-awareness, you can begin to overcome its negative effects.
By understanding that the toxic spiritual ego is a product of our egocentricity (the tendency of humans to focus excessively on their own perspectives and feelings), you can start working on breaking free from its grip.
The main danger of the narcissistic spiritual ego lies in its ability to give us a false sense of security.
It creates an illusion of grandiosity and power that can lead us to make decisions that are not in our best interest.
We may think we are above reproach and make choices that are not wise or beneficial.
The narcissistic spiritual ego can also lead to feelings of self-importance and arrogance, damaging our relationships and our emotional, spiritual and psychological well-being.
Furthermore, suppose the narcissistic spiritual ego is left unchecked. In that case, it can make us out of touch with our true needs and desires, causing us to become emotionally, spiritually, and mentally imbalanced.
It is important to practice self-awareness and humility to prevent this from happening.
By recognising our strengths and weaknesses, we can ensure that our spiritual ego doesn’t take over and cloud our judgement.
Additionally, it is vital to practice humbleness, embrace our flaws and shortcomings and allow ourselves to be vulnerable and open to learning and growing.
We should also strive to see the beauty in others and appreciate their differing perspectives, allowing us to gain insight into ourselves; by doing this, you can keep our spiritual ego in check.
The spiritual ego combines an individual’s physical and spiritual selves- egos.
It is a sense of self rooted in a deep understanding of the spiritual world and a strong sense of inner peace.
It is the internal awareness of one’s place in the universe and the appreciation for the gifts of life. I
t is the ultimate expression of self-love, understanding, and acceptance – an ever-evolving journey to discover who we are and how best to use our unique talents to contribute to the world.
The spiritual ego is formed as we explore and take on board spiritual concepts, integrating them into our lives.
We can use spiritual tools such as tarot cards, astrology, numerology and more to gain insights into ourselves and our connection with the universe.
We become our own guides, learning to trust our inner wisdom and feel the interconnectedness of all living things; as we do this, we feel empowered and connected to the greater good.
