Times of uncertainty and rapid social and economic change provide fertile ground for a proliferation of religious and political cults offering „easy solutions“ for deeper underlying issues.
In a positive sense religion can offer sanctuary for like-minded people providing a framework of meaning in a chaotic world. Codes of behavior are offered as a means of salvation from an often unbearable life in the here and now.
It becomes unhealthy where it turns into an addiction characterized by compulsive behaviors and the inability to perceive or discuss any other perspective or alternative.
Adherents might engage in activities to the point where it disrupts their daily life, relationships, work and responsibilities – common to all addictions.
It becomes a coping mechanism, deflecting an underlying past trauma, loss or hurt. Sect and cult leaders are particularly successful in recruiting individuals going through a particularly vulnerable period in their life.
Control and Isolation
The control mechanisms of a cult can be on a very subtle emotional level. Once the member has gone all-in by severing long-term relationships, it becomes very difficult to return to the old life. Few people will admit to having made a mistake or having made the wrong decision after sacrificing the best years of their life and donated all their money to the “movement” or “cause.” We are hard-wired as social beings and it gets very difficult to leave “the cult family”. Those who leave are vilified as traitors to the cause, threatened and in extreme cases harmed physically and mentally.
Group-Think, Lies and Deception
Once in the cult or religious movement you are part of the „group-think bubble“ . Members expressing the faintest doubts or engaging in a critical discourse about the objectives of the movement or the leader are shamed, coerced and brought into line. They will be told that they are “in their ego”, have sinned or strayed from the path. They will be playing on a core fear of most humans – the fear of being excommunicated from the safety of the tribe.
Financial Exploitation
A common denominator of all cults is the financial exploitation of their members. They will be asked to contribute membership fees, provide funds for a new temple, pay for the private jet or the legal fees of the cult leader. At times members would have to donate all their assets to the movement for “the common good” as a sign of their commitment and loyalty. A small portion might be channeled to real charities as a marketing ploy while the major portion will be kept by the cult leader for his personal needs.
Exploitation of vulnerabilities
The political cult and charismatic leader at its head will ensnare you if you haven’t dealt with your shadows such as anger and fear or transmuted a traumatic experience.
Addiction to a belief has to be treated like any other addiction. First and forement there is the need for an honest recognition and acceptance of the problem. What lifestyle changes, support groups and therapy are necessary? What would my life look like without the addiction? What freedoms would I be enjoying? How can I prevent relapse and find supportive friends with a higher vibrational energy?
If you are drawn to a charismatic leader with a hate-filled, and vindictive messaging, ask yourself: “What anger within me is he tapping into? What can I positively change in my life now, instead of placing my hopes in the “political messiah.”?
Walking the path of your highest calling in personal freedom and liberty is foundational to fulfilling your soul destiny and living a life of bliss. You can pick and learn from the gems and wisdom of many teachers past and present. But if you should run into that religion, sect or cult offering the one and only perfect solution, it might just sound too good to be true.
Experiential spirituality
While experiential spirituality can exist within the context of organized religions, it transcends traditional religious boundaries of what to believe, and how to behave. There is a direct personal experience of the divine, through a sacred, or transcendent state of consciousness, and cannot be defined.
Practices closely associated with experiential spirituality include meditation, prayer, music, contemplating sacred art, and deepwalking pilgrimages.
On the path of experiential spirituality, you are never truly done. You continuously grow, make mistakes, learn, and discover along the way. Rather than adhering to a fixed moral code, you develop an intuitive situational awareness that guides you toward higher or lower vibrational paths.
Once on the journey, it fosters a profound sense of connection with the cosmic order and the essence of life, kindling a deeper feeling of peace, love, and interconnectedness that transcend doctrine or belief.
In the words of 13th-century Mystic Meister Eckart:
“The knower and the known are one. Simple people imagine that they should see God as if he stood there and they here. This is not so. God and I, we are one in knowledge.”
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
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