Spiritual Materialism – the pitfalls of seeking Enlightenment

Spirituality for many people is a path to finding a deeper meaning of existence, inner peace or enlightenment. However, even on this path there can be a subtle trap – spiritual materialism. Nitya addresses this topic in her video, pointing out that the spiritual quest, which becomes another goal to achieve, distracts us from the experience of true presence.

Many of us subconsciously view spirituality as something that can be “achieved” or “acquired.” This approach leads to the illusion that there is something we must add to ourselves in order to feel whole and fulfilled.

The illusion of spiritual development

Spiritual materialism is a subtle trap we fall into when spirituality becomes another goal to achieve, similar to striving for success in the material world. We believe that we must “achieve” enlightenment or other unique spiritual experiences in order to finally feel whole. However, this leads us in the opposite direction – away from presence and inner silence.

Nitya explains this mechanism by saying:

„Zaczynamy postrzegać duchowość jak coś, co chcemy zdobyć. Chcemy zdobyć ten stan po to, żeby wreszcie było dobrze. I w tym celu udajemy się na różnego rodzaju podróże. Wyjeżdżamy do Indii, praktykujemy różne ćwiczenia, głodówki i wiele innych rzeczy, aby na koniec dowiedzieć się, że już jesteśmy tym, czego szukaliśmy.”

The illusion of spiritual materialism is that instead of being in the here and now, we start chasing the next experience. We think that in the future we will find peace once we do certain practices or acquire new skills. Meanwhile, spirituality is not a path to gaining something, but a deep recognition that we are already whole.

True spiritual experience: Being beyond ideas

True spiritual experience is not about seeking exceptional states, but about deeply understanding that we do not have to add or change anything in order to be present. As Nitya says, all practices and pursuits based on the idea of ​​“lack” only distance us from what is already there.

Nitya emphasizes it this way:

„Nie ma możliwości, aby dojść tam, gdzie już się jest. Nie ma możliwości, abyś dostał się tam, gdzie już jesteś. Nic trudnego, nic do zrobienia, nic do poprawienia, nic do pozbycia się, nic do oświecenia, nic do znalezienia. Ponieważ nawet jeśli sobie powiem, że znalazłam właśnie to, że jestem świadoma, to i tak już byłam świadoma.”

Spirituality is not about eliminating thoughts, feelings, or phenomena, but about recognizing that we are aware of everything that is happening. This awareness does not need to be improved or acquired – it is already fully present within us. Awakening occurs when we become aware of this, not when we accumulate more spiritual experiences.

Return to Inner Wholeness

Spiritual materialism is a subtle trap that can easily be ensnared in the spiritual quest. By thinking that we must "achieve" enlightenment, we lose sight of the truth that we are already where we want to be. True spirituality is not about gaining new experiences, but recognizing that everything we seek is already present. Consciousness requires nothing - neither correcting nor perfecting.