The Pitfalls of Spiritual Candy

“Spiritual Candy comprises the content and practices that over-validate your temporary Self-identity, suspicions, assumptions, conspiracies, past times, and ego. Spiritual Candy keeps you distracted and running in place rather than fortified and moving valiantly toward Self-reliance. Spirituality is not about angels and aliens; it’s not about crystals and feeling great all the time. It’s about diving deeply into your Self to heal the root causes of your pain so you can merge with The Divine and unveil and empower your purest and most authentic Self.” ~ Paul Wagner

A while back, I coined the term “Spiritual Candy,” referring to content and practices that, instead of nourishing one’s spiritual journey, often serve to over-validate the temporary self-identity, reinforce suspicions, indulge assumptions, delve into conspiracies, dwell on past experiences, and bolster the ego. Spiritual Candy is enticing but superficial, offering fleeting satisfaction while diverting us from genuine spiritual growth.

We’ve all been there, right? We crave validation and encouragement. We see the glitter and light in a post and feel temporarily peaceful or nourished. While Spiritual Candy can feel good – even timely, it can become addictive and eventually work against us.

Truly, we are called to know and do the deeper work. 

Are you ready?

Understanding Spiritual Candy:

My definition of Spiritual Candy emphasizes the allure of quick fixes and surface-level routines and practices. It’s the spiritual equivalent of indulging in sugary snacks – enjoyable in the moment but lacking in long-term sustenance. You don’t want to be a Spiritual Diabetic, right? Of course not. 

In today’s age of readily available information and instant gratification, the appeal of Spiritual Candy can be particularly strong.

Everybody is hurting or broken, or at the very least, feeling sad or anxious for more than an hour daily. 

We all need healing, but healing must come from our solo journey within.

Signs When Spiritual Candy is Not Helpful:

Distracting from Inner Work: One of the primary signs that Spiritual Candy is not aiding your spiritual journey is when it consistently keeps you distracted from delving deeply into your inner Self. Your personal Spiritual Candy might involve scrolling through validating images or taking empowerment workshops that thrill your senses and ego, offering little meat on the bones.

True spiritual growth often involves confronting and healing the root causes of your pain, which requires introspection leading to a deep and confronting Self-awareness. 

If your spiritual pursuits focus solely on external phenomena or fleeting pleasures, they might lead you astray. 

Over time, we become drunk on the fermented treats of influencers’ candy and lose sight of the deeper journey and our purest Selves.

Reinforcing Ego and Assumptions: Spiritual Candy tends to reinforce rather than challenge your ego and assumptions. It might tell you what you want to hear, validating your preconceived beliefs and desires. 

Authentic spirituality encourages questioning and personal growth, while Spiritual Candy only serves to maintain the status quo.

Spiritual Candy might also provoke you to want more than you actually need and the things that might be toxic to you.

Promoting Superficial Practices: Practices associated with Spiritual Candy may involve quick rituals, materialistic pursuits, trendy workshops, obsessions with angels, or overemphasis on external symbols (such as crystals or astrology). 

While these can have their place in spiritual exploration, they become problematic when they overshadow or distract from the deeper, more profound work of Self-discovery and intimately merging with The Divine.

Perpetuating Negativity: Spiritual Candy may fuel an obsession with conspiracies, mistrust, and negativity rather than promoting a positive and transformative spiritual journey. This constant focus on negativity can be draining and counterproductive. 

You can see these folks running around in the world – suspicious of everything, blaming science, religion, politics, and more to be the reason for their plight in life. 

These sad souls do not look deeply at their obsessive fantasies. Instead, they see their lives as graphic spy novels that aim to uncover false truths and bet their lives on them. 

Alarmingly, they see everyone as out to get them and want you to believe the same.

Preventing Forward Progress: The most telling sign of Spiritual Candy is that it keeps you running in place rather than moving valiantly forward in your spiritual journey. 

Your favorite Spiritual Candy may provide temporary relief or excitement, but ultimately, it lacks the substance needed for genuine, lasting growth and peacefulness.

You got this! You are always in control of what you consume and how you think. You can confront your tendencies in this area, reshape how you perceive your life, and find new pathways to engage your reality fully. 

The True Essence of Spirituality:

Spirituality is not about seeking external validation, indulging in superficial pleasures, or escaping reality. Instead, it’s about going deep within ourselves, confronting our pain, and healing from the inside out. Authentic spirituality empowers us to unveil our most genuine selves, helping us evolve and grow meaningfully.

Recognizing and avoiding Spiritual Candy is crucial for those seeking genuine spiritual growth. By understanding the signs that it is not helpful—such as distraction from inner work, ego reinforcement, superficial practices, negativity, and a lack of forward progress—we can refocus our spiritual journey on what truly matters: self-discovery, healing to the core, and profound personal transformation. 

True spirituality transcends the allure of temporary pleasures and instead leads us on a profound journey toward Self-realization. 

The Top 12 things you can do right now to redirect your attention away from Spiritual Candy:

Redirecting your attention away from Spiritual Candy and toward more meaningful and authentic spiritual practices can greatly enhance your personal growth and well-being. 

Here are 12 things you can do right now to help you make that shift:

Prayer: Praying from your heart can help you awaken. If we can find our heart’s tears when praying, we magnify our vibrations and merge with The Divine. Pray with deep intent and earnestness, and God Will Meet You In Your Heart!

Chanting: When we chant in Sanskrit, we awaken our bodies to their highest vibrational potential and open doorways to the purest and most beneficial frequencies. 

Chant even the simplest mantras, and you will open your heart’s ability to heal you to your core. Om Lokaha Sumastaha Sukhino Bhavantu means May All The Beings In All The Worlds Be Happy. Chant this mantra to connect with the purest love in all the Cosmos.

Mindful Breathing: Take a few minutes to practice deep, mindful breathing. This simple technique can help ground you in the present moment and calm your mind. You can also do Breath of Fire or The Makaara to help awaken your Kundalini and soothe your soul.

Journaling: Grab a notebook and jot down your thoughts and feelings. Reflect on your spiritual journey, goals, and any distractions or patterns you’ve noticed related to Spiritual Candy.

Meditation: Engage in a short meditation session to center yourself. Focus on your breath or use a guided meditation to explore deeper aspects of your consciousness.

Forgiveness: One of the purest and most beneficial practices we can invite into our lives is forgiveness. When we forgive ourselves and others, we release pockets of energies and emotions that limit us. 

Use The Ho’Oponopono practice to forgive everything throughout your life, internally and externally. Imagine your Self or someone else and say this to them: I love you, I’m sorry, Forgive me, Thank you. Repeat this 100 times, and you will begin to unwind the pain that binds you to a challenging idea, aspect, sense of Self, or person.

Nature Walk: Spend some time in nature. Go for a walk in the park, sit by a tree, or simply observe the beauty around you. Nature has a way of reconnecting us to our inner selves.

Disconnect from Distractions: Turn off your phone, computer, and other electronic devices for a set period. This digital detox can help you escape the constant bombardment of superficial spiritual content.

Read a Thoughtful Book: Choose a spiritual or philosophical book that challenges your thinking and encourages deeper self-reflection. Engaging with meaningful literature can be a powerful way to redirect your focus.

Practice Gratitude: Take a moment to express gratitude for the present moment and the opportunities for spiritual growth. Gratitude can shift your perspective toward the positive aspects of your journey.

Engage in Inner Dialogue: Have an open and honest conversation with yourself. Ask questions about your spiritual goals and intentions, and be willing to listen to your inner voice.

Connect with a Mentor or Guide: Seek out a mentor, spiritual teacher, or counselor who can guide and support your authentic spiritual journey. Their insights can help you stay on track.

Create a Spiritual Routine: Establish a daily or weekly spiritual routine that includes practices like meditation, prayer, or Self-reflection. Consistency can help you maintain focus on meaningful growth.

Redirecting your attention away from Spiritual Candy is a process that takes time and effort. 

Be patient with yourself and allow space for personal growth, Self-love, chanting, praying, and deep exploration. By incorporating these practices into your life, you can cultivate a deeper and more authentic spiritual journey.

Truly, you are born from love and loved for all time!

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