"Spiritual Materialism", By Michael, Ex-Preceptor Of SRCM

Here is an article from Michael who was made Preceptor by Chari. (30 years ago). Michael has two blogs: one for Sahaj Marg, called "Inner Circle of SRCM", and a more personal blog, called: "Skai Journey".




SPIRITUAL MATERIALISM,
By Michael, ex-preceptor of Sahaj Marg (tm) and of Chari's group which has become the SRCM (California-1997)


As SRCM and its offshoot organizations experience turmoil and disputes amongst its most senior members and leaders, it brings into question the founding principles of the organization and the meditation practice itself.

The Buddhist monk Chogyam Trungpa wrote the book "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" in 1973 that inspired me in my early spiritual practice prior to my introduction to SRCM. Having gone through the SRCM experience for over 10 years and having yet another nearly 20 years since my departure to process that experience, I have had lots of time to develop some thoughts of my own on the subject of Spiritual Materialism. While my article on my other blog is not specific to SRCM, it seems a timely subject given the current circumstances that SRCM finds itself in.


I've put a link to the article below:

Spiritual Materialism


... Here is An Excerpt:


(...)

Unfortunately the creation of fantasy and illusion is a common trait of practitioners of religions and spirituality. This "Spiritual Materialism" is infinitely more deceptive than abject worldly materialism. At least worldly materialism is based on what we all commonly experience with our collective physical senses. Spiritual Materialism is based on faith in myths and concepts that cannot perceived directly. It is fueled by the same desires that cause one to covet material things - the desire for power, the desire to be important, self gratification. It is very often driven by fear of the void, emptiness or feelings of meaninglessness. Spiritual Materialism allows one to justify actions and behavior that otherwise cannot be justified or excused. It spawns wars, destroys families, causes dishonesty and deception. It can be used to justify the abuse or taking the life of another human being.

Spiritual Materialism is often practiced by spiritual trainers, masters, self proclaimed saints or gurus in their promotion of goal based spiritual practices. They claim to have achieved great spiritual conditions and offer their disciples the hope of achieving the same.

An analogy might be that of a car mechanic who claims to have created the most advanced automobile and insists that all should entrust him to make their cars equally advanced. Like the car mechanic and his customers, neither the guru nor the disciple spends much time embarking on any journey of their own. Instead they pontificate endlessly about achieving spiritual perfection and speculate whose spiritual condition is the highest. Money and souls are exchanged for the privilege of achieving great spiritual heights. Meanwhile the Infinite Journey awaits as they covet and worship the Guru's spiritual condition wishing it was their own.

(...)


For the whole article, see: Spiritual Materialism



For other articles by Michael on this blog:

Comments and Clarifications by U.S.A Ex-Preceptor, Michael!
Message from Michael, (Ex-Preceptor, USA)

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