The SHN 61: Religion and/or Materialism Can Prevent Spiritual Growth

Welcome back to The Synergetic Health Newsletter! 

In this unreleased edition, I grapple with Christianity, religion, and spirituality.

✞ The Stifling Effects of Christianity on Spiritual Growth

Born Catholic, I started to seriously question the whole charade around age 10 or 11. This doubt came to a head on the night I was meant to meet with the priest to prove my readiness for confirmation.

Sitting in the back seat of my parents' car, I mustered the courage to speak up, declaring, "I don't believe in this. I don't want to go in there." My mother's response, "I don't think you can be part of this family if you don't go in there," left me feeling coerced.

Reluctantly, I went through with the confirmation, playing the part expected of me, but the experience left a lingering resentment towards the church that persists to this day. This early encounter with the rigidity of organized religion set me on a path of questioning and seeking truth beyond the confines of Catholicism.

Ray Harris, in his article "Christianity: The Great Lie," argues that the dominant influence of Christianity has had a potentially stifling effect on personal spiritual growth and development. He raises concerns about the emphasis on blind faith over reason and critical thinking within Christianity, stating that the literal interpretation of the Bible often requires adherents to accept a set of beliefs without question, even when faced with contradictory evidence or logical inconsistencies.

This uncritical acceptance of doctrine can lead to intellectual and spiritual stagnation, as individuals are discouraged from exploring alternative perspectives or engaging in personal introspection. The rigid dogmatism associated with many Christian denominations can pressure individuals to conform to a predetermined set of values and practices, rather than embarking on a genuine process of self-discovery.

Harris also highlights the anti-intellectual nature of Christianity, arguing that it has consistently attacked truth and reason. He states, "The Christian demand that faith be given the same epistemological and ethical status as reason has kept millions locked into a worldview that even today acts as a millstone around the neck of humanity, dragging us down." This elevation of faith over reason has created a climate in which questioning and critical thinking are discouraged, leading to a stunted intellectual and spiritual development.

The problematic aspect of religious exclusivity within Christianity is another point raised by Harris. He argues that the belief in Christianity as the only true path to salvation can foster a narrow-minded worldview, dismissing the validity and wisdom of other spiritual traditions. This exclusivity can prevent individuals from exploring and benefiting from the insights offered by diverse philosophical and spiritual practices, thereby limiting their potential for understanding.

Furthermore, Harris contends that Christian supremacy has contributed to the decline of spiritual philosophy, stating, "By replacing philosophy with a theology based on lies the original teachings of several philosophical schools were distorted, allowing a later materialist reaction to arise."

This shift towards a theology grounded in falsehoods has not only hindered the development of authentic spirituality but has also paved the way for a materialistic worldview that separates God from nature and humanity.

For those who find themselves disillusioned with organized religion, engaging on a spiritual path can offer numerous benefits for overall health and self-development. Exploring diverse practices and philosophies can help individuals gain new perspectives that facilitate personal growth and self-awareness. Engaging in practices such as meditation, mindfulness, gratitude, forgiveness, and prayer can have significant mental and physical health benefits, reducing stress, promoting emotional well-being, and enhancing overall quality of life.

Sure, many individuals find deep meaning, support, and spiritual nourishment within the context of organized religion. For these individuals, approaching their faith with a willingness to question and explore can lead to a more authentic relationship with their religion.

While Christianity and other faiths have the potential to provide structure and community, it is important to recognize the ways in which rigid dogmatism, blind faith, exclusivity, and anti-intellectualism can hinder self-development.

By acknowledging the limitations of organized religion and exploring alternative paths to spiritual growth, individuals can transcend the confines of religious dogma.

⚖️ A Balanced Approach to Spirituality

In the previous post, we explored how rigid adherence to organized Christianity can stifle personal spiritual growth. To expand on this discussion, we need to address another extreme: the overemphasis on science and reason. Both blind faith in religion and strict materialism feed into each other, creating a limiting cycle that prevents a more balanced approach to spirituality.

Blind faith and strict materialism often reinforce each other. When religious adherents reject scientific findings, it strengthens the resolve of strict rationalists to dismiss spirituality entirely. Conversely, the cold, mechanistic view of materialism can drive people towards religious absolutism in search of meaning and comfort.

Ernest Becker's work on the duality of man—the tension between our physical bodies and our symbolic selves—highlights this struggle. This duality makes it hard for people to find a middle ground, as they swing between the need for tangible evidence and the desire for existential meaning.

The Role of Materialism in Hindering Spiritual Growth

Materialism focuses on tangible and measurable successes, which often distracts from inner exploration. This relentless pursuit of wealth and consumer goods centers our lives around external validation and immediate gratification. Philosophers like Henry David Thoreau argue that materialism leads to a superficial life, preventing us from finding deeper meaning. Thoreau's reflections in "Walden" emphasize that living simply and focusing on inner growth leads to a more fulfilling existence.

When we prioritize material gains, we neglect our inner lives. This creates a feedback loop where the more we achieve materially, the more disconnected we become from our spiritual selves. This disconnection can lead to feelings of emptiness and a lack of true fulfillment, as our deeper needs for meaning and connection are ignored.

To find a balanced spiritual path, we need to integrate scientific understanding with mystical and philosophical insights. Quantum physics, for example, introduces concepts like entanglement and the observer effect, challenging our conventional views of reality and suggesting a deeper interconnectedness. These scientific mysteries invite spiritual contemplation and a sense of wonder.

Alan Watts advocated for blending Eastern and Western philosophies, suggesting that experiencing life directly and intuitively, rather than solely through rational analysis, leads to a more profound understanding of existence. He encouraged viewing the universe as a harmonious whole, which aligns with the idea that true wisdom encompasses both the seen and unseen aspects of life.

Practical Steps for a Balanced Spiritual Path

1. Mindfulness and Meditation: These practices help us connect with our inner selves and focus on the present moment, fostering greater self-awareness and emotional resilience.

2. Nature Immersion: Spending time in nature can reconnect us with the larger universe. Nature’s beauty can remind us of life’s mysteries that lie beyond human understanding.

3. Philosophical Exploration: Reading diverse philosophical texts broadens our perspectives and challenges our assumptions.

4. Creative Expression: Engaging in artistic activities allows us to express our inner experiences and connect with our deeper selves.

If we wish to move beyond the binaries of religion and materialism, we must embrace an integrative approach to spirituality. This path values scientific insights while also welcoming the mystical and the unknown. It involves exploring diverse philosophies, engaging in introspective practices, and seeking meaning beyond material success.

By doing so, we can develop a spiritual path that is both intellectually satisfying and deeply enriching. This acknowledges the complexity of human experience and fosters a sense of connection to something greater than ourselves, be it divinity, essence, or the mystery of existence.

☯ Do We Even Need Spirituality?

The pursuit of spiritual growth and enlightenment has been a central part of the human experience across cultures for millennia. Many religious and spiritual traditions outline paths and practices aimed at healing the mind/body, awakening inner faculties and energies, and realizing one's true nature beyond the ego. Spirituality holds the promise of inner peace, wholeness, intuitive wisdom, and a felt connection to something larger.

At the same time, in our modern materialist age, many are skeptical that there is any real benefit or truth to spiritual pursuits. Critics argue it is unscientific, leads people into delusion and magical thinking, and at worst results in cult-like situations where unscrupulous gurus exploit followers. The "conspirituality" movement in particular warns of the dangers of combining conspiracy theories with New Age spirituality.

What are we to make of humanity's long history of spiritual seeking? Is there a "there there" - real benefits and truths to discover through committed spiritual practice? Or is it ultimately a dead-end pursuit that is best replaced by a more rational, scientific approach to life? Let's explore some the many perspectives on this issue.

The Case for Spirituality

Those who advocate for the importance of spirituality often point to the universality of spiritual seeking across human cultures. Virtually every society has developed practices and frameworks for making sense of the big questions - who am I, what is the purpose of existence, what happens after death. This pervasiveness suggests spirituality isn't just a quirk, but speaks to something fundamental in the human experience.

They argue that spirituality can provide a path for healing and awakening to deeper dimensions of being. Practices like meditation, yoga, qigong, prayer, rituals, etc. are seen as means to release conditioned patterns of thought/emotion, traumas, and blockages, opening one to clearer perception, equanimity, compassion and an expanded sense of self.

Dr. Maya Spencer, in her article "What is Spirituality? A Personal Exploration" articulates this perspective:

"Spirituality involves exploring certain universal themes – love, compassion, altruism, life after death, wisdom and truth, with the knowledge that some people such as saints or enlightened individuals have achieved and manifested higher levels of development than the ordinary person. Aspiring to manifest the attributes of such inspirational examples often becomes an important part of the journey through life for spiritually inclined people."

She goes on to say that "The spiritual journey involves first healing and affirming the ego so that positive states are experienced; with secure self-esteem, belief in self-worth and a capacity for love and generosity, a person becomes less constrained by ego defences. An opening of the heart is an essential aspect of true spirituality."

In particular, spirituality speaks to realms beyond our conventional materialist worldview. It points to subtle energies and forces that animate life, the continuity of consciousness beyond a single lifetime, and a field of being that interconnects everything.

Some key potential benefits of spirituality:

• Healing of old traumas and emotional patterns

• Development of intuitive wisdom and felt sense of interconnection

• Awakening to one's true unconditioned nature prior to ego/personality

• Alleviation of existential fears around mortality

• Providing meaning, purpose and a moral foundation for life

• Expanded creativity, compassion, and service to others

Dr. Robert Gilbert, a scholar of esoteric traditions, describes how dedicated spiritual practice over time is believed to purify and open the subtle energy body, beginning with healing and then moving on to activation and integration:

"The essence of this is that until we become coherent enough, until we deal with enough of our trauma that we've processed it to the point that we are coherent enough that we can actually do inner work, then we have to focus on healing. And of course for some people this is a harder task than others because they've had more trauma, they've had very difficult lives, but what we have to be very careful about is that we don't get stuck in that [healing] and so I often find that when people talk about healing in metaphysical circles they don't have any concept of anything beyond that... Healing is not the actual work, healing is preliminary to the work, and this is horribly misunderstood today."

He sees this development as an evolutionary journey of the soul across lifetimes, with spirituality providing an accelerated path compared to unconscious living:

"We need to understand what the practices are to be able to structure our own subtle body to activate the organs of spiritual perception inside of ourselves to be able to perceive and understand these things. Because once you go past the gate of death, if you don't activate those organs of spiritual perception, if you don't structure your subtle body here and now, you're not going to have anything to take with you. You're going to die. What have you done to invest into your account that you can actually function and perceive and take action and navigate in a world without a physical body and without the five senses?"

The Materialist Critique

On the other hand, many in the modern secular West are skeptical of all things spiritual, seeing it as relics of a pre-scientific worldview that we've outgrown. The core materialist/scientific argument is that there is no convincing evidence for any of the metaphysical claims of religion or spirituality. Notions of God, the soul, reincarnation, chi/prana, chakras, etc. are seen as unprovable ideas that people believe based on faith alone.

This skeptical view argues that humans have always been prone to magical and superstitious thinking, and notions of spirits, gods, and life after death likely emerged as comforting stories to deal with existential fears around mortality. Spiritual experiences are seen as purely natural brain states that people interpret through their cultural/religious lenses.

Rather than fantasy or wishful thinking, a scientific approach of basing beliefs on objective, empirical evidence is seen as the surest foundation for understanding reality. The remarkable progress of science in explaining the world and improving human life is contrasted with the vagueness found in the spiritual marketplace.

Additionally, many harmful effects of religion and spirituality are highlighted:

• Justification of abuses (e.g. Crusades, witch hunts, guru cults)

• Promotion of us vs. them tribalism and prejudices

• Spreading of factually wrong beliefs about the natural world

• Ungrounded, dissociated living disconnected from everyday reality

• Enabling of scam artists promising spiritual attainments for money

The Conspirituality podcast discusses this critical approach, calling out what they see as dangerous mixings of New Age spirituality with right-wing conspiracy theories. For them, much of the appeal of contemporary wellness spirituality is based on uncritical thinking and teachers profit from people's desire for easy answers.

For materialists, notions of "spiritual reality" are unnecessary - we are physical beings in a physical universe, and science is seen as the only reliable means for gaining knowledge. Living an ethical, fulfilling life based on reason, evidence and humanist values is seen as totally workable without any spiritual beliefs or practices.

Evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne is known for his skepticism of all things supernatural. In a blog post titled "Why Evolution is True," Coyne says:

"Spirituality is simply an indication of how much some people dislike materialism - dislike it so much that they'll make any excuse to assert mind over matter... It doesn't matter whether you call it God or The Force or Buddha Nature: it's still unsubstantiated woo. And the fact that a lot of people find solace and inspiration in woo does not make it right, proper, or coherent."

Potential Middle Ground

What are we to make of these conflicting perspectives? While the debates between hardcore believers and skeptics can be heated, I believe there is a potential middle way that draws on the best of both worldviews.

The key is not holding too tightly to any fixed metaphysical beliefs, but rather engaging in open-minded, good faith inquiry. We can view long-standing spiritual traditions as collections of practices and frameworks that may yield real benefits and insights when sincerely pursued, without having to accept any supernatural claims as truth.

This middle way of "open-minded skepticism" can involve:

• Maintaining a scientific/rational lens while exploring spiritual practices on their own terms

• Using one's own felt experience as an arbiter rather than blindly accepting beliefs

• Being open to the idea that there may be more to reality than materialism allows for, while not rushing to supernatural conclusions

• Focusing on how practices actually impact one's life vs. obsession with metaphysical questions

• Drawing on cross-cultural practices while avoiding the baggage, hierarchies and power dynamics that often surround them

• Pursuing spirituality in an eyes-wide-open way, watchful for signs of cultishness, delusion or dissociation

• Balancing practice with grounded, engaged living, relationships and worldly responsibilities

With this approach, I believe people can draw real benefits from spiritual traditions without falling into delusion or having to abandon reason and science. Ultimately, spirituality can enable one to live with more meaning, ease, and compassion.

At the same time, recognizing the shadow sides of spirituality is crucial. Discernment is necessary, as not all paths and teachers are created equal, and it's all too easy to fall into traps of irrationality or dissociation in spiritual circles.

Dr. Maya Spencer advises bringing a rational, discerning lens to any spiritual pursuits:

"In outlining a way to overcome reacting to the world limited by our self-preserving instincts and prior conditioning, the Buddha gave spirituality a direction that surpasses the confines of religious doctrine and as such may be perhaps part of the fundamental definition of spirituality. Hesitantly, I offer my own definition consistent with the Buddha's path: spirituality is the indefinable urge to reach beyond the limits of ordinary human existence that is bounded by unconscious forces and self-interest, and to discover higher values in ourselves and to live them consistently in our relationships and roles. It involves developing practices that aid us in rising and expanding, perhaps beyond the merely good to the transcendent, in the process of looking inwards rather than outwards for our own morality and guidance."

In the end, I don't think there are any easy answers as to whether someone "needs" spirituality. It depends on one's unique nature, life experience, and what one is looking for. For some people, a purely secular/scientific approach provides a totally satisfying basis for living. For others, engagement with spiritual practices adds a depth, richness and sense of meaning that was previously missing.

My view is that it is absolutely possible to live a good, fulfilling life without spirituality, but that for many people sincere spiritual practice and inquiry can provide benefits and open doors that would remain closed to those not inclined. The universality of spiritual traditions points to something meaningful and real in the human experience that I believe is worth exploring.

At the same time, the materialist critiques and warnings about pitfalls shouldn't be dismissed. A middle way of open-minded, rational inquiry - learning from ancient traditions while not swallowing them wholesale - provides an approach for people to consider. Hold beliefs lightly, maintain discernment, stay grounded in the world, and trust your own experience. In this way, one can draw on the best of spirituality while avoiding its shadow sides.

✔️ That will do it for this time! Hopefully you got some value out of it. If you have any questions/comments/things you’d like to learn more about please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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