This was a trip down memory lane. I lived in Ojai for over a decade. It’s a beautiful place to which I have returned many times for several short visits to see friends. I worked for many years with someone who inspired the character Socrates in Dan Millman’s book The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. He used to refer to many of those Ojai types as having “spiritual diarrhea.” I learned one valuable lesson while living there: never get into a discussion about enlightenment or consciousness with anyone. It sadly brings out the worst, most illusionary parts in people.
I totally agree that HOW we affect others is probably the biggest test of our spiritual journey. Certificates of completion are only a document that recognizes you attended. Its how one lives life that is the full measure. There will always be inequity, no matter what, how, when. It's the nature of the journey. Spirituallity's biggest challenge is not judging others, paths, choices and such. We ate trained to dislike something we need to lrave nehind..work..lovers..religions... and that not nessesary. Learning to let go with love.. yes also part of the journey.
Thank you for sharing more of your thoughts. I appreciate your emphasis on how we live our lives as the true measure of spiritual growth rather than credentials or external markers.
Your point about “not judging others, paths, choices” contains an important spiritual wisdom. However, I’d like to explore your statement that “there will always be inequity, no matter what, how, when. It’s the nature of the journey.”
While it’s true that differences in resources, abilities, and circumstances exist naturally, presenting and accepting systemic inequity as inevitable can inadvertently become what spiritual teachers call a “thought-terminating cliché”—a statement that feels true but closes down deeper inquiry rather than opening it.
Many spiritual traditions actually call us to both inner transformation AND active engagement with suffering in the world. The Bodhisattva vow in Buddhism, liberation theology in Christianity, and Tikkun Olam in Judaism all point to our responsibility to heal both ourselves and our societies.
Perhaps the most integrated spiritual path holds these complementary truths: we can simultaneously practice non-judgment and discernment, acceptance of what is and commitment to what could be, letting go with love and showing up with courage.
What if addressing inequity is not separate from our spiritual work but essential to it? What if the recognition of interconnection that comes from deep practice naturally expands our circle of care and responsibility?
I’m curious about how you see the relationship between personal spiritual freedom and collective healing. Is there a way to honor both simultaneously? Have you explored the concept of ‘decolonized spirituality’?
I go more deeply into the concepts of “thought-terminating clichés” and “decolonized spirituality“ in my post here: https://creatingshifts.substack.com/p/the-silence-of-the-spiritual-influencers (and my entire Creating Shifts book deals with these and many other themes in depth — you can read it for free in the pinned post in this site).
Does not matter what path anyone takes, if they just keep following their own path. Some may pay, some may not... a path is unique and has all the right stimulus for spiritual growth. No one is the same as another. It takes all paths to grow!
Thank you for sharing your perspective that “it does not matter what path anyone takes.” There’s certainly wisdom in recognizing that spiritual journeys are deeply personal and that each person’s path contains the specific lessons they need for growth.
At a transcendent level, there’s truth in what you’re saying—many mystical traditions across cultures point to an ultimate unity beyond the dualistic world of distinctions, where all paths eventually converge.
However, I’d like to respectfully suggest that the paths we choose do matter in important ways, particularly when we consider their impact on communities, cultures, and our collective well-being. As my article explores, spiritual practices divorced from their historical and cultural contexts, especially when commodified into luxury experiences, can perpetuate systems of inequity and erasure.
The idea that “it doesn’t matter” can sometimes function as spiritual bypassing—allowing us to sidestep uncomfortable realities about appropriation, accessibility, and justice. True spiritual growth often requires us to engage with these complexities rather than transcend them prematurely.
Perhaps what’s needed is a both/and approach: honoring the unique nature of each person’s spiritual journey while remaining accountable to how our spiritual choices affect others. This integration of personal freedom with compassionate awareness might be the more challenging but ultimately more transformative path.
I travelled the world alone, many years ago, my intention, when I set out, was to find God. I visited many spiritually energised places to that purpose. Along the way seeing some sumptuous retreat centres nestled in glorious looking parks/wildernesses. What price enlightenment? Entirely beyond my means. Is enlightenment only for the rich? Well, alhamdulillah after some wonderful experiences and a particular tragedy, that served me more than any of the highs, I ended back at home and met Shaykh Nazim. True spiritual masters do not require a penny of payment.
This was a trip down memory lane. I lived in Ojai for over a decade. It’s a beautiful place to which I have returned many times for several short visits to see friends. I worked for many years with someone who inspired the character Socrates in Dan Millman’s book The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. He used to refer to many of those Ojai types as having “spiritual diarrhea.” I learned one valuable lesson while living there: never get into a discussion about enlightenment or consciousness with anyone. It sadly brings out the worst, most illusionary parts in people.
Yes, keeping it 'real' is quite the growth edge in Ojai.
I totally agree that HOW we affect others is probably the biggest test of our spiritual journey. Certificates of completion are only a document that recognizes you attended. Its how one lives life that is the full measure. There will always be inequity, no matter what, how, when. It's the nature of the journey. Spirituallity's biggest challenge is not judging others, paths, choices and such. We ate trained to dislike something we need to lrave nehind..work..lovers..religions... and that not nessesary. Learning to let go with love.. yes also part of the journey.
Thank you for sharing more of your thoughts. I appreciate your emphasis on how we live our lives as the true measure of spiritual growth rather than credentials or external markers.
Your point about “not judging others, paths, choices” contains an important spiritual wisdom. However, I’d like to explore your statement that “there will always be inequity, no matter what, how, when. It’s the nature of the journey.”
While it’s true that differences in resources, abilities, and circumstances exist naturally, presenting and accepting systemic inequity as inevitable can inadvertently become what spiritual teachers call a “thought-terminating cliché”—a statement that feels true but closes down deeper inquiry rather than opening it.
Many spiritual traditions actually call us to both inner transformation AND active engagement with suffering in the world. The Bodhisattva vow in Buddhism, liberation theology in Christianity, and Tikkun Olam in Judaism all point to our responsibility to heal both ourselves and our societies.
Perhaps the most integrated spiritual path holds these complementary truths: we can simultaneously practice non-judgment and discernment, acceptance of what is and commitment to what could be, letting go with love and showing up with courage.
What if addressing inequity is not separate from our spiritual work but essential to it? What if the recognition of interconnection that comes from deep practice naturally expands our circle of care and responsibility?
I’m curious about how you see the relationship between personal spiritual freedom and collective healing. Is there a way to honor both simultaneously? Have you explored the concept of ‘decolonized spirituality’?
I go more deeply into the concepts of “thought-terminating clichés” and “decolonized spirituality“ in my post here: https://creatingshifts.substack.com/p/the-silence-of-the-spiritual-influencers (and my entire Creating Shifts book deals with these and many other themes in depth — you can read it for free in the pinned post in this site).
That's exactly why inequity exists!
Does not matter what path anyone takes, if they just keep following their own path. Some may pay, some may not... a path is unique and has all the right stimulus for spiritual growth. No one is the same as another. It takes all paths to grow!
Thank you for sharing your perspective that “it does not matter what path anyone takes.” There’s certainly wisdom in recognizing that spiritual journeys are deeply personal and that each person’s path contains the specific lessons they need for growth.
At a transcendent level, there’s truth in what you’re saying—many mystical traditions across cultures point to an ultimate unity beyond the dualistic world of distinctions, where all paths eventually converge.
However, I’d like to respectfully suggest that the paths we choose do matter in important ways, particularly when we consider their impact on communities, cultures, and our collective well-being. As my article explores, spiritual practices divorced from their historical and cultural contexts, especially when commodified into luxury experiences, can perpetuate systems of inequity and erasure.
The idea that “it doesn’t matter” can sometimes function as spiritual bypassing—allowing us to sidestep uncomfortable realities about appropriation, accessibility, and justice. True spiritual growth often requires us to engage with these complexities rather than transcend them prematurely.
Perhaps what’s needed is a both/and approach: honoring the unique nature of each person’s spiritual journey while remaining accountable to how our spiritual choices affect others. This integration of personal freedom with compassionate awareness might be the more challenging but ultimately more transformative path.
I travelled the world alone, many years ago, my intention, when I set out, was to find God. I visited many spiritually energised places to that purpose. Along the way seeing some sumptuous retreat centres nestled in glorious looking parks/wildernesses. What price enlightenment? Entirely beyond my means. Is enlightenment only for the rich? Well, alhamdulillah after some wonderful experiences and a particular tragedy, that served me more than any of the highs, I ended back at home and met Shaykh Nazim. True spiritual masters do not require a penny of payment.
Beautifully stated! Thank you, Hana 🙏✨️
Alhamdulillah thank you :)