What is spiritual bypassing? I asked Grok and got the following:
"Spiritual bypassing is a term used to describe the tendency to use spiritual beliefs, practices, or experiences to avoid dealing with uncomfortable emotions, unresolved psychological issues, or practical challenges in life. It involves sidestepping personal growth or emotional healing by focusing solely on "higher" spiritual ideals, such as positivity, enlightenment, or transcendence, without addressing the messy, grounded realities of human existence.
The concept was first coined by psychotherapist John Welwood in the 1980s, rooted in his observations of how spiritual seekers sometimes misuse spirituality as a defense mechanism. It’s not about spirituality itself being flawed, but rather how it can be misapplied. For example, someone might say "everything happens for a reason" to dismiss grief, or meditate excessively to avoid confronting anger or trauma, rather than processing those feelings.
Common signs include:
-Overemphasizing positive thinking to suppress "negative" emotions. -Using spiritual jargon ("just let it go," "it’s all an illusion") to avoid accountability.
-Judging others for not being "spiritual enough" instead of reflecting inward.
-Escaping into practices like prayer or yoga without integrating their lessons into daily life.
It’s a bit like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg and calling it healed because you’re "vibing high." Critics say it can delay genuine healing or growth, while proponents of spirituality might argue it’s a natural phase for some on their journey. Either way, it’s a shortcut that doesn’t quite reach the destination."
I couldn't have said it more concisely myself! This is something that any who aspire to grow and follow "the way" come across, both in oneself and others. And as our tricky ego uses this as one of it's many disguises to maintain control, it's important we learn the signs, so we can make the shift internally and externally if need be. So let's unpack this one in an in depth conversation.
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