Why Spirituality Fails?
Spirituality is often sold as a temporary solution to a long-term problem. Most people we see are suffering from one psychological issue or another. Some are carrying trauma without knowing how to process it. Some have unresolved issues from childhood. Others are dealing with grief without knowing how to cope with it.
These psychological issues can eventually lead to problems with self-esteem and identity, which then reflect in poor choices. Whether a choice was poor can only be determined by the consequences that follow.
People who gain a modicum of awareness about their underlying issues often turn to spiritual retreats with fancy monikers. Spirituality, in this sense, appeals to people who want religion without faith and structure. They would rather follow the rituals of a spiritual group than read scriptures, visit temples or churches, and truly introspect.
The problem with such spiritual retreats is that they offer temporary relief in the form of exercises and techniques that show short-term results but eventually prove ineffective in the long run. I have yet to meet someone who has fully recovered without developing inner awareness. Unless you address the root cause of what is creating the problem, you will not recover from it. You absolutely cannot.
One method to analyse where the problem lies is to think in terms of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It suggests that baser needs must be met before one can address higher needs. Someone who is starving cannot be asked to meditate. Someone who is broke cannot be asked to let go of desire. This is also why the poor often cannot empathise with the rich. The rich suffer from excess, while the poor suffer from absence. There is no common ground.
Maslow’s hierarchy is a good starting point for anyone struggling with life issues. Observe the hierarchy carefully and see where your problem fits. Then plan the path required to elevate yourself.
For instance, someone may earn well, be physically fit, and financially secure, yet struggle to find love. In such a case, the focus must shift to environments where connection can naturally occur. Be present at community events. Socialise by joining clubs. Cultivate hobbies that place you in social settings. Attend gatherings. You cannot desire love while claiming to hate socialising. That only creates a new problem.
But what about people who struggle with self-esteem and self-sabotage their lives and relationships? How will they find love? In such cases, awareness is the key. The issue is not love but unresolved trauma. The first step is recognising where you stand. Then you address that piece first and move in that direction. Begin with loving yourself and accepting who you are, and then extend that love outward. Forgive yourself so that you can forgive others.
I find this to be one of the most practical tools for cultivating inner awareness. Of course, it is not the only requirement for doing well in life. But it is a crucial first step for anyone struggling to decide the direction of their life.