Autism is my super blessing! I'm a high-school valedictorian, college graduate, world traveler, disability advocate. I'm a Unitarian Universalist. I'm a Progressive Liberal. I'm about equal rights, human rights, civil & political rights, & economic, social, &cultural rights. I do servant leadership, boundless optimism, & Oneness/Wholeness. I'm good naked & unashamed! I love positive personhood, love your neighbor as yourself, and do no harm! I'm also appropriately inappropriate! My self-ratings: NC-17, XXX, X, X18+ & TV-MA means empathy! I publish shows at 11am! Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support
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episode 12: I am recovering from spiritual narcissism
"Narcissism is an incredibly popular topic nowadays and it makes sense why. We can see it everywhere – on TV screens, in social media, and in our own lives. But there is also a tricky phenomenon called spiritual narcissism, which is lesser-known but equally important to talk about. Who Is a Spiritual Narcissist?
It is a person who is sure that he or she is spiritually awakened while staying in the trap of their own ego. It is someone who uses their spiritual beliefs and practices as a way to feel superior to others. We all have heard stories about narcissistic abuse and manipulation. Sometimes this personality type can seem utterly devious and malicious. However, as for a spiritual narcissist, it is quite a different story. It's not an evil person but rather someone who takes spirituality too superficially, using it for satisfying their selfish needs. Thus, spiritual narcissism is in a way a delusion that distorts one’s perception of themselves and others.
What Are the Signs of a Spiritual Narcissist?
1. They are always right
I’ve met a couple of spiritual narcissists before, and a common trait they had was unshakable, almost stubborn confidence in their opinions. They didn’t seem to have the slightest doubt about their beliefs and perceptions. This rigidity of thinking is among the most telling indicators that a person’s ego is thriving and they are very far from the open-mindedness they believe they have. A genuinely spiritual and open-minded person is in a constant search for the truth. They are not – and can’t be – sure about anything, especially the big questions of life and death. Someone who is interested in a deep understanding of life always leaves some space for doubt.
2. They boast about their spiritual awakening
A spiritual narcissist is absolutely sure of having reached enlightenment, destroyed their ego, and turned into a free spirit. And most importantly, they will want others to know about it. In reality, they are not interested in spreading the awareness or helping other people awaken – all they crave is to feed their vanity. Have a few conversations with them, and their ego won’t be long to show up, especially if you touch a sensitive subject. A truly awakened person is humble and never showcases their spiritual achievements. If someone shows interest in their practices and beliefs, they will prefer to talk about general topics rather than make themselves the main focus of the conversation."