Spirituality: A Personal and Diverse Journey Beyond Narrow Frameworks
Spiritual growth and healing are deeply personal journeys—ones that are as unique as the individuals who walk their paths. Yet, for many, these journeys are often shaped by frameworks that impose rigid beliefs about what is "right" or "wrong" spiritually. Whether it’s extreme interpretations within Christianity, Catholicism, or Islam, many religious teachings urge followers to reject the natural world and seek spiritual authority outside themselves. But true spiritual growth doesn’t have to fit within a narrow, predefined structure. It is about connecting to God—or the Divine—through our inner wisdom and understanding of the world around us.
The Danger of Extreme Religious Views
Throughout history, certain religious interpretations, particularly within major faiths like Christianity, Catholicism, and Islam, have fostered an environment of fear, control, and separation. In these extreme versions of faith, adherents are often taught to distance themselves from the natural world, viewing it as corrupt or a distraction from divine truth. The concept of rejecting the natural world is often framed as necessary for salvation, spiritual purity, or enlightenment.
Christianity, for instance, in some more extreme interpretations, may teach that anything "worldly"—including the body, material possessions, and natural practices like herbalism or body modifications (tattoos, piercings)—is inherently sinful or dangerous. These interpretations can lead followers to fear their own desires and impulses, suppressing natural forms of self-expression, connection with the earth, and intuitive healing methods.
Similarly, Catholicism, particularly in the context of traditional exorcism and deliverance teachings, often portrays the natural world as a place of temptation and spiritual danger. The idea of demons or spirits attaching to people through various practices, even something as personal as a tattoo, becomes a common theme. This fear-based view leads people to seek external authority—such as priests or religious figures—rather than trusting their own spiritual experience and connection with the Divine.
In Islam, certain more conservative interpretations encourage followers to reject any form of mystical or natural connection outside of the prescribed teachings of the faith. Practices such as seeking guidance through personal spiritual experiences, or exploring healing practices outside the prescribed methods of prayer, fasting, or ritual, are often dismissed. The emphasis on strict adherence to prescribed rules can create an environment where personal spiritual intuition is undervalued, and followers are instead taught to rely entirely on external religious authority.
There is an undeniable challenge in these teachings: when things like tattoos, piercings, or personal spiritual practices are instantly condemned, it can feel oppressive and closed-minded. By labeling these expressions as inherently negative or spiritually dangerous without allowing room for personal reflection or exploration, individuals are left with little space to make their own choices or connect with God in their own way. It creates an environment where the richness of the natural world, human creativity, and personal expression is dismissed, which can lead to an unbalanced and constricting view of spirituality.
The Power of Connecting to the Divine Within
These extreme views, whether found in Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, or other religious traditions, seek to separate individuals from their own natural instincts and connection to the divine. But what if true spiritual growth came from within? What if the path to healing and enlightenment was not through rejection of the natural world or through external authority, but through trusting your own inner guidance and relationship with the Divine?
Each person has the innate ability to connect to God—or the universe or higher self—directly. Spiritual growth is about embracing this connection and allowing it to guide you, free from the fear or judgment of external authorities. Instead of relying on rigid, restrictive teachings that encourage separation from your own body and the natural world, spiritual growth can be seen as a harmonious process of integrating your physical, emotional, and spiritual self.
Embracing the natural world as a source of wisdom is not inherently sinful or wrong. The earth, our bodies, and our experiences are powerful tools for learning and growth. Practices like body modifications, working with plants and herbs, or expressing oneself through art are simply forms of connection to the world around us. They are ways to honor our bodies, our identities, and our relationship with the earth—all of which can be profoundly spiritual.
The Dismissal of Ancient Cultures and Wisdom
One of the most problematic aspects of extreme religious teachings is the dismissal of ancient cultures and their spiritual practices. Throughout history, many indigenous cultures and ancient wisdom traditions have had deep and intimate relationships with the natural world. These cultures saw the earth as sacred and developed practices that honored the spiritual connection between all living beings. Whether it was through rituals, herbal medicine, or the understanding of energy, these ancient systems of thought provided meaningful paths for healing and spiritual growth.
However, when modern religious doctrines come into play, there is often a tendency to dismiss or outright reject these ancient practices. Whether it’s the belief that shamanic practices, folk healing, or the reverence of the elements is demonic or misguided, these teachings often strip away the profound connection between the individual and the natural world. The view that ancient spiritual traditions are inferior or inherently flawed diminishes the richness of human history and wisdom, and it disconnects us from the deep well of spiritual knowledge available to us.
Why does this dismissal happen? On a psychological level, it can stem from a desire to control and standardize religious beliefs. When new religious movements come into power, especially those that emphasize hierarchical authority, there is often an effort to diminish the legitimacy of competing systems. The idea is that a singular, “correct” path to the Divine must be maintained, often through fear-based tactics. This creates a binary system: either you follow this “right” path, or you’re lost.
However, in practice, this only creates division and separation. It reinforces a mindset that anyone who doesn't conform to the same belief system is wrong, and that includes rejecting the wisdom and practices of other cultures. This causes spiritual fragmentation, rather than encouraging a more expansive and inclusive understanding of the Divine.
Why Dismissing Others Isn’t the Answer
This dismissal of other cultures, spiritual practices, or ways of being is not only limiting, but also detrimental. It creates an environment of “us vs. them” that is divisive and ultimately prevents true spiritual connection. The belief that rejecting the natural world and seeking external authority is the only path to salvation not only undermines our own autonomy, but also isolates us from the world’s vast spiritual diversity.
Spirituality, in its most liberating form, is not about separation; it is about connection—connection to ourselves, to each other, and to the divine presence in the world. The more we embrace the diversity of spiritual practices and understand that there are many paths to the Divine, the more we foster a sense of unity and compassion. Rejecting others only serves to eliminate the possibility of true dialogue, understanding, and collaboration. If something doesn't resonate with you personally, no one is asking you to adopt that belief (and I certainly hope not). So, instead of casting hatred towards someone with different views, perhaps the best course is to simply move on with your life and let others live theirs.
Reclaiming Your Personal Path to Spirituality
It’s time to break free from the idea that spirituality must fit into a prescribed mold, whether it’s dictated by a religious institution or a particular belief system. Spiritual growth is a deeply personal and diverse journey, one that can be shaped by your experiences, intuition, and inner wisdom. The key is not to reject the natural world or external experiences, but to trust your connection to the divine as a source of empowerment.
Here are a few ways you can begin reclaiming your own spiritual path:
Trust Your Intuition: Your inner wisdom is a powerful guide. Whether it’s through meditation, prayer, or simply sitting in silence, listen to your heart and the messages it carries.
2. Embrace Your Body: Your body is sacred. Honor it through practices that nurture it—whether it’s physical activity, body art, or healing practices that make you feel aligned and whole.
3. Connect with Nature: Nature is a reflection of the divine. Whether it’s walking barefoot in the grass, sitting by a tree, or simply taking in the beauty around you, nature has much to teach and heal.
4. Let Go of Fear-Based Beliefs: Reject the belief that you must follow a rigid framework or fear the consequences of engaging with the world. Trust that your spiritual journey is yours to define.
5. Create Your Own Spiritual Practices: Don’t be afraid to explore and experiment with practices that resonate with you—whether it’s energy work, meditation, or other forms of spiritual expression. Your relationship with the divine is personal, and it’s okay to build your own path.
The Freedom of Authentic Spiritual Growth
True spiritual growth and healing can only occur when we allow ourselves to step away from restrictive, fear-based views and instead connect with the Divine on our own terms. The natural world, our bodies, and our intuition are not barriers to spiritual development; they are conduits for it. By embracing this diversity and trusting our own inner wisdom, we create a spiritual practice that is authentic, freeing, and deeply transformative.
Spirituality is not a one-size-fits-all journey—it’s a unique and beautiful path that evolves as we grow, learn, and connect with ourselves and the world around us. Your spiritual growth is yours to define, and it doesn’t have to fit into any narrow framework imposed by external authority. Reclaim your power and allow your spiritual journey to unfold from within.
