Be Cautious in Matters of the Spirit

When you are on a spiritual path, it can seem like there is a human guide on every corner trying to convince you they know the key to enlightenment and true happiness.

Over the years, I've learned a great deal about energy: how to work with it, hold onto it, and protect it. In the process, I've also come across people who call themselves healers, teachers, or coaches but aren't coming from a place of integrity.

There was a time when a coach took a meditation I created and used it as her own without giving me any credit for my work. Years later, she denounced her previous teachings, but strangely, she never apologized to the people who worked with her or offered any refunds. Similarly, there was a man in a study circle who expressed interest in my trauma offerings, only to later write a blog post about them as if they were entirely his own ideas.

Recently, I was trained for a new program offered by a spiritual organization known for its high-profile members (I won't name it because they are notorious for being litigious) that turned out to be a bait-and-switch. What began as a mission to help people reach their highest selves became a high-ticket multi-level marketing scheme. They were more concerned with sales and status than genuine growth or healing.

Spiritual people who want to make a difference are trusting, and sometimes that trust can make them vulnerable; unscrupulous people take advantage of it. They package spiritual teachings with profit-driven language and sell them back to you like they're offering salvation.

What's enlightened about that?

Fortunately, I've been fortunate to walk alongside people who genuinely understand what's real. Laura Day and Mastin Kipp are two of those wonderful souls. They never try to "fix" people or sell a brand of awakening. Instead, they walk alongside people, shining a light on the path and reminding us that the real work is accessible, human, and sacred.

If someone is trying to sell you enlightenment, it's a good idea to take a step back. The truth isn't something you have to pay for because it's already within you.

So, be discerning! Ask questions and trust your instincts. Remember, the best teachers don't ask for your silence or your soul; they help you find your way back to yourself.