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.
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:
“We start to see spirituality as something we want to achieve. We want to achieve this state so that we can finally feel good. And to do this we go on various journeys. We go to India, we practice different exercises, fasts and many other things, only to find out at the end that we are already what we were looking for.”
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 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:
“There is no way to get to where you already are. There is no way for you to get to where you already are. Nothing difficult, nothing to do, nothing to improve, nothing to get rid of, nothing to enlighten, nothing to find. Because even if I tell myself that I have found that I am aware, I was already aware.”
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.
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.
Watching the full video with Nitya below is a great opportunity to dive deeper into her teachings and discover what is already within you – without the need to seek or acquire anything beyond what you already have.
Love is often associated with "butterflies in the stomach", excitement, desire for the other person. When it appears, the mind does not analyze - there is delight, full acceptance, exclusion of doubt. But is this really love?
When we look at the world, we naturally see divisions – “me” and “others,” “my life” and “the life of the world.” It seems obvious that each of us is a separate being, locked in our own body and our own history. But is this really true? Is it just the way we have learned to perceive reality?