Spiritual bypassing is a term that John Welwood coined. It’s a form of spiritualized conflict avoidance which demonizes natural emotions such as anger. This can lead to us being able to skip our need to heal trauma, our activism, or our pain. Although it can feel good and even exhilarating, the effects can be short-lived. The crash that follows the high can prove to be devastating.
Some people avoid meditation by meditating, first for a brief amount and then gradually escaping the world through more and more meditation. Others choose to bypass pain by meditating or using spiritual teachings or positive thinking that negates or bypasses more difficult emotions like anger, grief, despair or helplessness. Many people try to escape the reality of pain by imagining utopia, benevolent aliens, or angelic beings.
Others try to overcome uncomfortable cognitive dissonance by using overly simplified forms of false certainty to resolve it. If it is too difficult to accept the paradox of a great darkness upon our species, in contrast to an age with greater awareness of such darkness we might reduce the complexity and believe in a Great Awakening, which will take us into 5D and leave behind the 3D darkness.
Some people try to avoid the problem by creating comfort stories to explain the troubling feeling they have when asked the question, “Why do bad things happen?”. We don’t need to confront the brutal reality of some tragedies’ utter randomness. We don’t need to confront the reality that nature doesn’t have a conscience if we pretend that people can “manifest” all that happens to us, not just the blessings and the curses. The pure and the wicked are equally affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes or wildfires.
These realities are hard to accept, especially with the rise of natural disasters and climate crisis. It is much easier to do downward dog and listen to guided meditations, and pray for world peace.
These things are not necessarily harmful or bad. When used correctly, they can be very calming for our nervous system and good for our health. They can be thought of as energy transfusions. A good yoga class, meditation retreat, or ecstatic dance can help us to get the life force back. However, it shouldn’t stop us from confronting reality and getting treatment for our traumas.
Globally, the veil of denial is lifting. Spiritual bypassing no longer makes sense to many people who used find it comforting. A lot of what was hidden is now visible in the light of awareness. This reveals a lot of darkness but also a lot light. No matter what price, we stand firm in the truth. The price of truth can be very expensive. It cost us our comfort, our illusion of safety, and our hopes that our children’s lives would be better than ours. While religion and New Age spirituality may be soothing in difficult times, they can also send messages that harm and oppress innocent people suffering. They can comfort us when we are feeling the extreme pain of our discomfort.
They can also teach us to accept abuse and to not hold the perpetrators accountable.
Although it can feel counter-productive to douse ourselves in it, spiritual bypassing, the avoidance of spiritual practices and beliefs that avoid dealing with our hurt feelings, unresolved traumas and unmet developmental needs, will only hinder us from doing the kind of activism that we need to prioritize right now to address the global crises our species is facing at this critical time in history. To feel everything, it is essential to be motivated to do something.
As the veil of dark history is lifted, and the lies I was taught in history class are exposed, we are stripped searched in our willingness and ability to be naked with reality. Even though we have lost the comforts of flattering and soft veils. We are left with the harsh side effects of centuries of oppression, dehumanization, and late stage capitalism’s extractive entitlement, which has led to erosion of the environment, the extinction of many species, and the threat to our very survival. The truth is ugly and almost unbearable without the culturally accepted emotional bypass.
We cannot afford to give up on ourselves, our children, and each other. We need to strengthen our self-sufficiency, increase our stamina, train our nervous systems to cope with our unpleasant reality, and learn how to endure the unavoidable, just as many others have done while being coddled into comfort.
I am struck by the way that spiritual communities deal with pandemics. This reminds me of what a kind assistant at my dentist said to me after he had been locked down. It’s as simple as that. To heal, we must hurt. The rewards of being open to suffering are great. Fake comfort is traded for intimacy with the real world and one another, and it’s a profitable trade.
We can always rely on the true comfort of spirituality, which does not neglect caring and empathy and acting to solve real-world problems. The ultimate comfort we all have is the Divine Self, or the Inner Pilot Light. This God can be our guide, support, and love us through the worst of times. When we feel helpless to bear another fuzzy veil, the Love rushes into us and gives us courage, strength, compassion, a sense that we are connected and a desire for more truth. We are now anchored in our hearts and bodies, connected in the Earth and our hearts and souls, and we can lift the next veil.
This is not an easy task. We are doing this work to save species. It is not easy nor comfortable. We have no other choice. This isn’t optional work. We do it because we want to make a difference and get a star in heaven. This is about survival. If we want to stay around and build a planet home that our children can live in, then this heart surgery must be performed on ourselves.
I understand that spiritual bypassing tendencies can make it difficult for people who have been comforted during times of distress with messages such as “God doesn’t give you any trouble” or “My soul chose this trauma” or “I’m just expiating my past karma” or “Get out from your victim story.” However, these messages can be abusive and can be used to impose the victim’s trauma on someone else.
Tim Lawrence stated, “Let’s be clear: If someone tells me that my tragedy was meant to happen, that it will make me a better person or that taking responsibility will fix it,” you are entitled to have them removed from your life. It is extremely difficult to grieve. Grief is not limited to the death of a loved one. You grieve when relationships break down. You grieve when opportunities are lost. When dreams die, you grieve. You grieve when dreams die. They cannot be fixed.
I was shocked to see so many people abandon New Age spiritual bypassing after the pandemic. I teamed up with some of my favorite non-bypassing teachers to teach Spiritual Bypassing Recovery 101, an IFS-informed online course. Now we’re adding Spiritual Bypassing 2.0 to the mix. You can now listen to my favourite non-bypassing teachers, Richard Schwartz and Karla McLaren. Tosha Silver. Tosha Penn. Tosha Borucki. Tosha Silber.
We’re now adding Resmaa Menakem and Jeffrey Rediger to our team!
Register Here for Spiritual Bypassing Recovery 2.0
This course will help you to unpack, debunk and examine many confusing spiritual bypass teachings regarding fear, shame anger, jealousy and anxiety; lovingly and gently deal with any unpleasant emotions that arise from feeling into any disillusionment or confusion caused by your loss of trust in long-beloved New Age teachers, compassionately evaluate how you and your teachers might have subtly promoted systemic racism with spiritual bypassing messages, learn about Internal Family Systems (IFS), which is a practice that compassionately loves and comforts that are afraid of being flooded with these feelings, so that you can feel more connected to your Divine Self.
I wish you a good recovery and that this course will help those in need. It’s not easy to get off the spiritual bypassing narcotic. But it is important that you have the courage and willpower to go on the spiritual path of trauma recovery. Let your eyes be open and your hearts open as you travel.
Come join us for Spiritual Bypassing Rehabilitation 2.0
Lissa Rankin first published the post Why it’s worth off-ramping from Spiritual Bypassing
Frequently Asked Questions
What do we mean by complementary medicine?
Complementary Medicine is an umbrella term for any medical treatment that complements mainstream medicine. This includes massage therapy, acupuncture and aromatherapy as well as traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga, and reflexology.
Complementary medicines are not used instead of conventional medicine but rather alongside it. Sometimes they’re called “alternative”, or “integrative”, because they combine Western scientific methods along with other therapies that have proven to be effective in healing people.
Who uses holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine is health care that treats the whole person as opposed to treating specific symptoms. It considers both the mental, and physical aspects.
Holistic medicine encompasses acupuncture and massage therapy, chiropractic treatment as well as nutritional counseling, yoga and other complementary therapies.
People who practice holistic medicine include people with cancer, heart issues, diabetes and arthritis.
What is the difference in holistic and traditional medicine?
Traditional medicine focuses on treating symptoms, while holistic medicine treats the whole person. Holistic medicine is holistic and does not focus on any one aspect of the patient’s/her health.
Traditional medicine treats individual organs or systems (such as the brain), whereas holistic medicine considers all aspects of the body from the inside out. It examines how lifestyle choices impact overall health and wellness.
Is holistic medicine legal?
The answer is both yes and no. Yes. There are many medications that have been proven to be effective against various conditions. No, because they don’t cure everything. It all depends on your definition of “holistic.” It depends on what you mean when you use the term “holistic”.
Some claim holistic medicine was around since ancient times. This is false. Even though some healers from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and other countries used natural remedies, this was without any scientific knowledge.
Medical practitioners started to study anatomy and physiological science in the Middle Ages. This led to the development and practice of surgery, obstetrics and pharmacology. Most Western countries had established public hospitals in which trained doctors could offer medical care by the turn of the 19th century.
Conventional medicine has become the dominant form for healthcare. However, many people still prefer to use complementary and alternative medicine. Many people find that it works better than drugs.
For instance, massage therapy can make people feel more at ease than tranquilizers. Some people enjoy healthy eating and avoid prescription medications. Others still believe that regular exercise improves their bodies’ performance.
Is holistic healthcare the same thing as alternative medicine?
Holistic Health Care stands out from Alternative Medicine as it focuses on the whole person and not just the symptoms.
Holistic Health Care considers all aspects of a person’s life including their mental, physical and emotional health, as well as occupational, cultural, social, and familial factors.
Alternative Medicine doesn’t address such issues. It focuses solely on the body, mind, emotions, etc.
What are the Five Alternative Medical Systems (Alternatives)?
These five alternative medicine systems are Ayurveda (acupuncture), Ayurveda (homeopathy), energy healing, aromatherapy, and homeopathy.
Acupuncture uses fine needles placed in specific points of the body to stimulate qi flow throughout the body.
Ayurvedic Medicine is an ancient system of health care based on balancing the three humors – air, fire, and water. It includes diet, exercise and herbal remedies. Massage is also included.
Homeopathic Medicine takes its name from the Greek words homoios, similar, and pathos, meaning disease. Homeopaths believe in natural causes for all diseases, but not necessarily symptoms. Homeopaths treat patients by prescribing small amounts of substances that produce similar symptoms to the ones experienced when the patient is sick.
Energy Healing is also known by EFT, Rolfing (emotional touch), Reiki, Rolfing, Rolfing, Rolfing, Therapeutic Touch and many other names. This therapy is based upon the belief that all of us are connected to a universal force of life called Ki. When this Ki flows freely through us, we feel well. Energy healers use touch, intention, and touch to restore harmony between our physical and emotional, as well as spiritual selves.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils derived from plants for therapeutic reasons. Aromatherapists believe certain smells can have a positive effect on mood and behavior. Lavender is the most popular essential oil used for aromatherapy.
What is holistic medicine’s opposite?
Holistic medicine examines the whole person and all its aspects. It recognizes that each illness must have multiple causes, and therefore requires a combination or several treatments to be most effective.
Holistic medicine practitioners believe prevention is better that cure. They partner with patients to achieve optimal wellness.
They seek to identify underlying causes of disease and prevent it from recurring. Holistic physicians treat the entire body, not just its organs. They refer to the whole of being as “the entire body.”
They treat the whole body, not just the skin. The doctor may recommend changes to your diet, exercise, or life style. He may also recommend meditation or yoga exercises, herbal supplementation, massage or chiropractic treatment, as well as acupuncture and other forms of alternative medicine.
Statistics
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
External Links
doi.org
nccih.nih.gov
webmd.com
cam.cancer.gov
How To
What is it that holistic doctors do that traditional doctors don’t?
A holistic doctor provides a wider range of services than a traditional doctor, including a nutritionist, massage therapist, acupuncturist, homeopath, naturopath, etc.
Holistic doctors look at patients holistically. It is a way to address the root cause of health issues, not just the symptoms. They can identify the root causes of illness and take preventative and long-term measures to ensure their health. Holistic doctors combine conventional medicine with natural remedies like essential oils and herbs to treat illness. They offer nutritional and dietary advice to help you live a healthy lifestyle.
Holistic doctors also offer therapies such as acupuncture and reflexology, reiki or shiatsu, yoga, meditation or craniosacral treatment, as well as hypnotherapy and hypnotherapy.
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This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: Lissa Rankin
Title: Why It’s Worth Off-Ramping From Spiritual Bypassing
Sourced From: lissarankin.com/why-its-worth-off-ramping-from-spiritual-bypassing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-its-worth-off-ramping-from-spiritual-bypassing
Published Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2023 04:42:16 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
What do we mean by complementary medicine?
Complementary Medicine is an umbrella term for any medical treatment that complements mainstream medicine. This includes massage therapy, acupuncture and aromatherapy as well as traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga, and reflexology.
Complementary medicines are not used instead of conventional medicine but rather alongside it. Sometimes they’re called “alternative”, or “integrative”, because they combine Western scientific methods along with other therapies that have proven to be effective in healing people.
Who uses holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine is health care that treats the whole person as opposed to treating specific symptoms. It considers both the mental, and physical aspects.
Holistic medicine encompasses acupuncture and massage therapy, chiropractic treatment as well as nutritional counseling, yoga and other complementary therapies.
People who practice holistic medicine include people with cancer, heart issues, diabetes and arthritis.
What is the difference in holistic and traditional medicine?
Traditional medicine focuses on treating symptoms, while holistic medicine treats the whole person. Holistic medicine is holistic and does not focus on any one aspect of the patient’s/her health.
Traditional medicine treats individual organs or systems (such as the brain), whereas holistic medicine considers all aspects of the body from the inside out. It examines how lifestyle choices impact overall health and wellness.
Is holistic medicine legal?
The answer is both yes and no. Yes. There are many medications that have been proven to be effective against various conditions. No, because they don’t cure everything. It all depends on your definition of “holistic.” It depends on what you mean when you use the term “holistic”.
Some claim holistic medicine was around since ancient times. This is false. Even though some healers from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and other countries used natural remedies, this was without any scientific knowledge.
Medical practitioners started to study anatomy and physiological science in the Middle Ages. This led to the development and practice of surgery, obstetrics and pharmacology. Most Western countries had established public hospitals in which trained doctors could offer medical care by the turn of the 19th century.
Conventional medicine has become the dominant form for healthcare. However, many people still prefer to use complementary and alternative medicine. Many people find that it works better than drugs.
For instance, massage therapy can make people feel more at ease than tranquilizers. Some people enjoy healthy eating and avoid prescription medications. Others still believe that regular exercise improves their bodies’ performance.
Is holistic healthcare the same thing as alternative medicine?
Holistic Health Care stands out from Alternative Medicine as it focuses on the whole person and not just the symptoms.
Holistic Health Care considers all aspects of a person’s life including their mental, physical and emotional health, as well as occupational, cultural, social, and familial factors.
Alternative Medicine doesn’t address such issues. It focuses solely on the body, mind, emotions, etc.
What are the Five Alternative Medical Systems (Alternatives)?
These five alternative medicine systems are Ayurveda (acupuncture), Ayurveda (homeopathy), energy healing, aromatherapy, and homeopathy.
Acupuncture uses fine needles placed in specific points of the body to stimulate qi flow throughout the body.
Ayurvedic Medicine is an ancient system of health care based on balancing the three humors – air, fire, and water. It includes diet, exercise and herbal remedies. Massage is also included.
Homeopathic Medicine takes its name from the Greek words homoios, similar, and pathos, meaning disease. Homeopaths believe in natural causes for all diseases, but not necessarily symptoms. Homeopaths treat patients by prescribing small amounts of substances that produce similar symptoms to the ones experienced when the patient is sick.
Energy Healing is also known by EFT, Rolfing (emotional touch), Reiki, Rolfing, Rolfing, Rolfing, Therapeutic Touch and many other names. This therapy is based upon the belief that all of us are connected to a universal force of life called Ki. When this Ki flows freely through us, we feel well. Energy healers use touch, intention, and touch to restore harmony between our physical and emotional, as well as spiritual selves.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils derived from plants for therapeutic reasons. Aromatherapists believe certain smells can have a positive effect on mood and behavior. Lavender is the most popular essential oil used for aromatherapy.
What is holistic medicine’s opposite?
Holistic medicine examines the whole person and all its aspects. It recognizes that each illness must have multiple causes, and therefore requires a combination or several treatments to be most effective.
Holistic medicine practitioners believe prevention is better that cure. They partner with patients to achieve optimal wellness.
They seek to identify underlying causes of disease and prevent it from recurring. Holistic physicians treat the entire body, not just its organs. They refer to the whole of being as “the entire body.”
They treat the whole body, not just the skin. The doctor may recommend changes to your diet, exercise, or life style. He may also recommend meditation or yoga exercises, herbal supplementation, massage or chiropractic treatment, as well as acupuncture and other forms of alternative medicine.
Statistics
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
External Links
doi.org
nccih.nih.gov
webmd.com
cam.cancer.gov
How To
What is it that holistic doctors do that traditional doctors don’t?
A holistic doctor provides a wider range of services than a traditional doctor, including a nutritionist, massage therapist, acupuncturist, homeopath, naturopath, etc.
Holistic doctors look at patients holistically. It is a way to address the root cause of health issues, not just the symptoms. They can identify the root causes of illness and take preventative and long-term measures to ensure their health. Holistic doctors combine conventional medicine with natural remedies like essential oils and herbs to treat illness. They offer nutritional and dietary advice to help you live a healthy lifestyle.
Holistic doctors also offer therapies such as acupuncture and reflexology, reiki or shiatsu, yoga, meditation or craniosacral treatment, as well as hypnotherapy and hypnotherapy.
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