What is spiritual bypassing?
Many people use spirituality to avoid difficult feelings and problems. They meditate to push away anger, take refuge in yoga to avoid confrontations, or try to attract abundance with manifestation techniques instead of addressing their financial problems. This is called spiritual bypassing.
Psychotherapist John Welwood noted in the 1980s that spirituality can be used as avoidance. He worked as a therapist and was also a Buddhist teacher. In his practice, he saw that many people used spirituality to avoid facing pain and uncertainty. They meditated, talked about enlightenment and wanted to “rise above their emotions,” but in reality they fled from it.
Welwood recognized this not only in his clients, but also in himself. He realized that he sometimes pushed away his own difficult feelings by labeling them as “ego” or “unimportant. This led him to the idea that spirituality can not only help, but also be a trap.
Yet it took a long time for the term to become known. At the time, spirituality was not really taken seriously in psychology. Only when mindfulness and spiritual self-help became more popular did therapists begin to see that some people were ignoring their emotions in the name of “positivity. That was the moment when Welwood’s insights gained real traction.
In this article you will discover what spiritual bypassing is, how to recognize it and why true emotional growth only begins when you stop avoiding your feelings.
What is a defense mechanism?
When you have difficult emotions or impulses you often look for ways to deal with these unwanted feelings. Unlike conscious strategies we use to deal with daily stress, these defense mechanisms work on a completely unconscious level. They are a way your mind unconsciously tries to reduce your anxiety and restore emotional balance.
Sigmund Freud was the first to talk about psychological defense mechanisms against anxiety and stress, and Anna Freud was the first to define defense mechanisms. After this original definition, however, researchers continued to look for other possible defense mechanisms. One of them is spiritual bypassing.
Also read: the psychological defenses according to Anna Freud
14 symptoms of spiritual bypassing
Spiritual bypassing is a way of suppressing or ignoring difficult feelings with spiritual beliefs or practices. This may give temporary peace of mind, but solves nothing in the long run. Here are the most common symptoms, with recognizable examples from everyday life.
1: Suppressing anger because it is ‘not spiritual’
Anger is often seen as something negative, especially in spiritual circles. People believe they must “rise above it” and try to suppress anger rather than acknowledge it as a natural emotion.
Sample
Lisa is a yoga instructor and believes in harmony and forgiveness. When her colleague frowns on her work, she smiles and tells herself to “rise above negativity. But at home, she feels stressed and tired. Her repressed anger accumulates and eventually comes out at an unexpected moment, such as when she reacts irritably to her partner.
2: Thinking that everything is a lesson
Many people believe that all events in life have a higher purpose. This can be comforting, but it becomes problematic when it becomes a way to avoid pain.
Example
Tom gets into a car accident and is injured. Instead of acknowledging his fear and sadness, he says to himself, “This must be an opportunity to practice patience and acceptance.” He tries to let go of his emotions, but finds after months that he still has panic attacks at the thought of driving. Because he does not take his feelings seriously, his anxiety remains unresolved.
3: Focusing only on the positive
Positive thinking is good, but it can be harmful if it becomes a way to avoid facing painful feelings.
Sample
Nina’s best friend unexpectedly breaks off their friendship. Nina feels hurt, but forces herself to think only of the beautiful memories. “Negative energy doesn’t help me move forward,” she says. She doesn’t talk to anyone about it and suppresses her sadness. But deep down, she feels lonely and abandoned. Putting her feelings away prevents her from truly processing what happened.
Recognize statements such as:
- “Everything happens for a reason.”
- “You are what you attract.”
- “This was the best in the end.”
- “Only good vibes!”
These statements seem positive, but they can also make a person feel like they are not being taken seriously. Sometimes it is better to just say, “That sounds really bad, do you want to talk about it?”
4: Putting yourself above others
Some people use spirituality to feel superior. They believe that their “enlightenment” makes them superior to others and see emotions as a sign of weakness.
Example
Mark practices mindfulness and swears by meditation. When a colleague is stressed, he says, “Maybe you just need to breathe more consciously.” He has no patience for people struggling with their emotions and sees himself as more advanced. But in reality, he uses his spiritual attitude to hide his own insecurities.
5: Avoidance of real problems
Some people escape into spiritual practices instead of addressing their problems. They go on retreat, practice meditation or take spiritual courses, but as soon as they return to daily life, the old problems persist.
Example
Every time Peter experiences stress at work, he books a retreat. During such a week, he feels relaxed and balanced. But as soon as he returns home, the tensions return. Instead of looking at the cause of his stress and seeking solutions, he continues to temporarily “recharge” himself without really changing anything.
6: Feeling disconnected
Spiritual bypassing can cause people to feel disconnected from the world and from their own emotions. They believe they should not be carried away by “earthly” feelings and try to achieve a state of constant inner peace.
Example
Eva immerses herself in non-duality and learns that everything is just an illusion. When her relationship breaks down, she hardly feels any grief. “My emotions don’t matter, because the ego is an illusion,” she tells herself. But months later, she feels empty and isolated. By suppressing her feelings, she has not given space for mourning and processing.
7: Thinking that meditation and prayer are always positive
Meditation, prayer and other spiritual practices can be valuable, but they become problematic when they are used to avoid rather than process feelings.
Example
Jan feels depressed and decides to do extra meditation and prayer. He tells himself to focus on inner peace. But instead of taking his gloom seriously and seeking help, he uses spirituality as an escape. As a result, his depression remains untreated and worsens over time.
8: Thinking you need to transcend emotions
Some people believe that they must place themselves “above” emotions and that feelings such as sadness, anger and fear no longer suit them.
Example
Sophie has been working on her spiritual development for years. When she feels sad, she says, “I am beyond this. I don’t need to be affected by this.” Instead of processing her emotions, she ignores them. After a while, she notices that she feels less and less joy. By suppressing her negative emotions, she also loses the ability to experience true happiness.
9: Thinking you can solve problems with positive thinking alone
Some people believe they can overcome their problems simply by thinking differently. They avoid real action and try to tell themselves that their situation will improve on its own if they just stay positive.
Example
Karin has financial problems, but instead of seeking help or adjusting her spending, she tells herself, “I don’t have to worry about this. I attract abundance by thinking positively.” Her problems continue to pile up, but she refuses to take realistic steps. Eventually, she finds herself even deeper in debt.
10: Using spiritual statements to wave away problems
People who practice spiritual bypassing often use clichés and spiritual sayings to dismiss difficult situations as “not so bad. This may help them feel better, but also keeps problems from being addressed.
Example
Sanne’s colleague is fired after years of commitment. When sharing his frustration, Sanne says, “Everything happens for a reason. Maybe this is an opportunity for something new!” Although she means well, she does not acknowledge his pain. Instead of really listening, she tries to smooth over the situation with a spiritual deadpan.
11: Getting comfort that pushes away pain
Grief is part of life, but instead of admitting it, many people try to soothe it with spiritual words of comfort. This seems loving, but can cause a person to not feel truly heard.
Example
After the death of her father, Emma is told over and over again, “He is in a better place” and “This was part of a bigger plan.” Those around her want to comfort her, but instead of acknowledging her grief, she receives only spiritual explanations. As a result, she feels lonely in her grieving process.
12: Pushing away negative emotions
Emotions such as anger and sadness are often seen as “low consciousness” or “negative energy. As a result, people feel guilty about their own feelings and try to put them away.
Example
Sophie is angry and disappointed because her friend stood her up at an important moment. When she talks about this, she is told, “You shouldn’t be so negative” and “Maybe this just had to turn out this way.” As a result, Sophie feels she is not taken seriously and begins to doubt whether her feelings are allowed to be there at all. Instead of understanding and processing her emotions, she pushes them away.
13: Condoning undesirable behavior
Many people use spirituality as an excuse to accept others’ transgressive behavior. They think that “forgiveness” and “acceptance” mean just letting everything happen.
Example
Tom has a family member who constantly belittles him and oversteps his boundaries. When he complains about this, others say, “You just have to accept him as he is” and “You are spiritual, aren’t you? Forgive and let it go.” As a result, Tom feels guilty when he resists. Instead of setting healthy boundaries, he stays in a situation where he feels bad.
14: Relativizing Injustice
People facing discrimination or inequality are often told to “just let it go” or that “positive energy” will solve the problem. This shifts the responsibility entirely onto the individual and ignores the real cause of the problem.
Example
Aisha tells a colleague about a discriminatory experience. The response she receives is, “Just stay nice and patient” and “Hate doesn’t solve anything.” While these words may be well-intentioned, they make her feel like she is not allowed to speak up. Instead of acknowledging the problem, she is asked to “get over it.
16 problems caused by spiritual bypassing
Spiritual bypassing may seem harmless at first glance, but in the long run it has far-reaching consequences. Suppressing emotions and avoiding responsibility can not only affect an individual’s well-being, but also damage relationships and communities. The following is an overview of the most common negative effects of spiritual bypassing, with recognizable examples.
1: Fear
When people do not allow emotions such as anger, sadness or insecurity, they become internally conflicted. This can lead to constant underlying tension, which can eventually turn into anxiety.
Example
Emma often feels anxious, but she tells herself to “trust in the universe. Each time she experiences anxiety, she meditates to push the feeling away. But her anxiety does not go away; it builds up and manifests itself in panic attacks and sleepless nights.
2: Blind obedience to spiritual leaders
Some people are completely guided by spiritual gurus or authorities without asking critical questions. They believe that doubt or skepticism means they are “not far enough along their spiritual path. This can be dangerous, especially when leaders take advantage of their followers.
Example
Tom joins a spiritual movement that promises that through surrender to the leader he will achieve complete enlightenment. When he becomes uncomfortable with certain practices, he is told that this is his “ego getting in the way. Tom ignores his intuition and follows everything blindly, even when he notices that his boundaries are being crossed.
3: Codependence
Some people feel so responsible for the well-being of others that they completely eliminate themselves. They believe that their spiritual path requires that they always help others, even at the expense of their own health.
Example
Lisa is an empathetic person and believes she should always be there for others. Her boyfriend has a destructive pattern of self-pity and addiction, but she continues to support him because she believes it is her job to “heal” him. Meanwhile, she herself becomes exhausted and loses sight of her own limits.
4: Control problems
spiritual bypassing can become a way of wanting to exert control over life. People think that through certain rituals, affirmations or beliefs they can control everything and will not have any more negative experiences.
Example
Peter believes that by controlling his thoughts and energy he can only attract positive experiences. He becomes obsessive in his spiritual routines and panics when something does not go according to plan. His attempt to maintain control over life actually creates more stress and frustration.
5: Not taking responsibility
Spiritual bypassing is often used to avoid guilt and responsibility. People use spiritual concepts to condone their mistakes and absolve themselves of the consequences of their actions.
Example
Sophie often says, “Everything happens for a reason” when she hurts someone. She sees her own behavior as part of a “bigger plan” and takes no responsibility for the pain she causes. When someone calls her on her behavior, she claims that the person is just “not far enough along in their spiritual development.
6: Emotional confusion
People who practice spiritual bypassing often become confused about what they are really feeling. They have told themselves so many times that they are not “allowed” to experience anger or sadness that they no longer recognize their emotions.
Example
Kevin feels frustrated and empty, but he can’t exactly name why. He has taught himself to immediately turn everything into “positivity,” so he has completely lost touch with his deeper emotions.
7: Excessive tolerance for bad behavior
Some people believe they should “accept everything as it is. They think that spiritual growth means not setting boundaries or criticizing. As a result, they get stuck in toxic situations.
Example
Anna’s partner belittles her regularly, but she says to herself, “He is also just a hurt soul. I need to forgive him and accept him as he is.” This keeps her in an unhealthy relationship because she does not take her own boundaries seriously.
8: Feelings of shame
Spiritual bypassing can cause people to feel ashamed of their negative feelings. They believe they should always be calm, loving and balanced, and when that fails, they feel inadequate.
Example
Eva feels sad and angry after an argument with a friend. But instead of processing these feelings, she feels ashamed and says to herself, “If I were truly spiritual, I wouldn’t be feeling this.” This causes her to hide her emotions even deeper, instead of acknowledging and dealing with them.
9: Spiritual narcissism
Spiritual narcissism occurs when people use spirituality to place themselves above others. They believe that their spiritual development makes them superior and look down on people who are “still stuck in their ego.
Example
Mark thinks that because he has been meditating and taking spiritual courses for years, he is “further along” than others. When a colleague is stressed, he condescendingly says, “Maybe you should learn to breathe more consciously.” Instead of showing empathy, he uses spirituality to see himself as better.
10: Denying difficult emotions
Many people believe that spiritual growth means experiencing only positive emotions. They see anger, sadness or jealousy as signs of spiritual weakness, so they don’t allow these feelings.
Example
Tom feels angry after a friend treats him badly. But instead of acknowledging that anger and acting on it, he tells himself, “I have to rise above it.” He pushes his feelings away, but later finds that he is becoming increasingly emotionally closed off from others.
11: Trivializing other people’s feelings
Spiritual bypassing is often used to avoid taking the emotions of others seriously. People in pain are told to “just let go” or “don’t be so negative.”
Example
Aisha tells a friend about a traumatic experience. Her friend responds with: “You shouldn’t dwell on the past, focus on the positive.” This makes Aisha feel unheard and she stops talking about her feelings.
12: Condemning others for their emotions
Some people believe that anger or frustration are signs of “low consciousness” and condemn others who express these emotions. This causes people to not feel free to share their feelings.
Example
When Mike expresses his displeasure about an unjust situation, he is told, “You attract negative energy by being angry.” This causes him to doubt himself and question whether his feelings are justified at all.
13: Avoiding deep self-examination
True growth requires self-reflection. This means daring to look critically at yourself, acknowledge your weaknesses and take responsibility for your actions. Spiritual bypassing can cause people to stay in a comfortable bubble where they believe they are already “enlightened” and don’t need to explore anything more.
Sample
Tom reads spiritual books and attends awareness workshops. He believes that his spiritual knowledge puts him “above” certain emotions. When someone points out his manipulative behavior in relationships, he says, “That’s your projection. I’m already past that kind of pattern.” Instead of listening to the feedback, he uses spirituality to exonerate himself.
14: Excuse to avoid action
Spiritual growth means not only inner work, but also taking action in the world. Some people use spiritual ideas as an excuse to remain passive. They believe that “everything happens as it should” and that there is no reason to change anything. This can cause them to not take responsibility for their lives or to ignore injustice.
Example
Emma has wanted to change jobs for years because she feels unhappy, but takes no steps. Every time someone asks why, she says, “If the universe wants me to get another job, it will naturally come my way.” Instead of actively seeking and taking risks, she uses spirituality to justify her fear of change.
15: Using as an escape
Spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer or visiting spiritual places can be immensely valuable. But if they are used to dodge problems rather than deal with them, they can hold back real growth.
Example
Peter has recurring conflicts with his family. Instead of engaging in conversation or making his boundaries clear, he meditates extra long and attends spiritual retreats. Each time the tension mounts, he disappears to a new course or temple. Each time he feels temporary relief, but the underlying problems remain.
16: Block growth
Spiritual development should lead to more openness and compassion, but some people use it to place themselves above others. They believe they are further along in their awareness and look down on people who are “still stuck in emotions” or “at a lower vibrational level. This causes them to stop learning and developing.
6 social problems of spiritual bypassing
Spiritual bypassing is not just an individual problem. When it is widespread, it also affects society as a whole. Instead of people actively participating in change and taking responsibility for social problems, spiritual avoidance can create passivity, fatalism and a lack of critical reflection. It can perpetuate injustice, reinforce inequality and even lead to a culture where responsibility and action are avoided in the name of “acceptance” and “positive thinking.
These are the main ways in which spiritual bypassing affects society.
1: Legitimizing injustice and inequality
When spiritual beliefs are used to view everything that happens as “just the way it should be,” injustice is hardly questioned anymore. People suffering from social or economic inequality are told to “raise their vibration” or that “they attracted this karma themselves. This leads to a society where structural problems are not taken seriously and victims are blamed for their own situation.
Example
- A homeless man is told to “change his mindset” instead of looking at the causes of poverty and housing problems.
- Women who complain about unequal opportunities in the workplace are told they “just need to exude more positive energy.
Reducing structural inequality to a matter of “personal vibration” or “spiritual lesson” discourages real action against injustice.
2: Lack of social responsibility
Spiritual bypassing can make people feel less responsible for the world around them. If there is a belief that everything “goes exactly as it should” or that “the universe takes care of everything,” this can become an excuse for not taking social responsibility. This leads to apathy, in which people remain passive rather than engaging in change.
Example
- Climate change is dismissed as “the earth’s natural cycle” or “a test of the universe,” making people less inclined to reduce their own impact.
- People refuse to vote or get involved politically because they believe that “the universe will automatically sort out what is best.
In a healthy society, people actively participate in improving their environment. Spiritual bypassing can actually thwart that process by making people feel they have no role to play in social change.
3: Suppressing activism and social movements
Anger and outrage are often the fuel for social change. Great social advances – such as women’s rights, civil rights and labor rights – have usually been achieved by people who did not accept that “everything is as it should be. Spiritual bypassing, however, can cause anger to be seen as “negative energy” to be released, rather than a signal that action is needed.
Example
- A group of workers complain about poor working conditions. Instead of supporting them, they are told to “change their mindset” and focus on gratitude.
- People protesting racism are accused of “spreading negative energy” and advised to send “love and light” to the oppressors.
Suppressing activism under the guise of spiritual balance delays change and prolongs unjust systems.
4: Glorifying individual success and ignoring collective problems
Spiritual bypassing can also contribute to an excessive focus on personal development and success, while ignoring broader social issues. People are encouraged to focus on their own growth, their own vibration and their own manifestations, without regard to the circumstances of others. This can lead to a neoliberal mindset in which happiness and success are seen entirely as a personal choice, rather than something in which social structures and privileges play a role.
Example
- Someone who is wealthy believes that his success comes entirely from his “high vibration level” and not from the social class he was born into, his network or other social factors.
- An entrepreneur says that “anyone can become a millionaire if you visualize hard enough,” while ignoring that not everyone gets the same opportunities.
Such beliefs create a society in which there is less regard for solidarity and in which people with bad luck or misfortunes are more quickly condemned.
5: The impact on health care and mental health
Spiritual bypassing can cause people to forgo medical or psychological care because they believe they can “manifest” or solve their problems by changing energy. This impacts not only individuals but also society as a whole, as it can increase distrust of science and mainstream care.
Example
- Someone with severe depression is told to “change their mind” rather than encouraged to seek therapy.
- A patient with cancer is encouraged to rely solely on spiritual healing and ignore regular treatments.
While spirituality can certainly play a role in wellness and health, it is dangerous when used to completely replace professional help. This can not only cause individual harm, but also contribute to a broader society in which disinformation and distrust of medical science are on the rise.
6: Development of spiritual hierarchies
In a society where spiritual bypassing is widespread, new forms of hierarchy often emerge. Some people begin to see themselves as “spiritually more advanced” than others, creating a subtle power structure in which people who express their emotions or think critically are seen as “less conscious.
Example
- A spiritual community sees doubt and critical questions as a sign that someone is “not far enough along yet. People who raise issues are ignored or excluded.
- Spiritual leaders use their status to tell others what to think or feel, with no room for their own interpretation.
This can lead to dogmatic structures in which people no longer feel free to think, feel and act in a way that suits them.
6 ways to handle spirituality in a healthy way
1: Allow all emotions, without judgment
Instead of seeing emotions as “high” or “low,” you can see them as signals from your inner world. Sadness, anger and fear have just as much value as joy and gratitude. They tell you something about what you need.
What can you do?
- Take a moment daily to check what you are feeling and where you are experiencing it in your body. For example, tension in your shoulders when stressed or a knot in your stomach when sad.
- Write down your feelings without categorizing them as “good” or “bad. Ask yourself: What is this emotion trying to tell me?
- Don’t try to resolve emotions right away. Sometimes it’s enough to simply acknowledge, “I feel angry, and that’s okay.”
Example
Lisa notices that she gets irritated when a friend fails to keep her appointments. Instead of ignoring her frustration, she asks herself, Why is this affecting me? What boundary is being crossed here? By taking her emotions seriously, she learns to better express her boundaries.
2: Use spirituality as support, not escape
Spiritual practices such as meditation, affirmations or yoga can be incredibly valuable. But they should not become a way to push away troublesome feelings.
What can you do?
- Use meditation not to suppress your emotions, but to give space to what is going on. After a session, ask yourself: What came up? Where do I still have work to do?
- If you find yourself constantly using spiritual practices to suppress negative feelings, try something more active instead, such as journaling or talking to a therapist.
- Check your intention: are you using spirituality to connect more deeply with yourself, or to avoid troublesome emotions?
Example
Tom feels insecure in his relationship and notices that he keeps meditating to “get rid” of this feeling. Instead of continuing this pattern, he decides to discuss his concerns with his partner. Thus, he uses meditation to calm down, but not as a means of avoiding confrontation.
3: Take responsibility for your own growth
Spiritual bypassing can cause people to remain passive, believing that the universe will solve everything for them. But personal growth requires action.
What can you do?
- Ask yourself, What can I do myself to improve my situation? Trusting the universe is fine, but that doesn’t mean you have no responsibility.
- Practice taking concrete, achievable steps. Want to improve your relationships? Start with one honest conversation. Want to process a difficult emotion? Make an appointment with a coach or therapist.
- Be honest about where you may be hiding behind spiritual beliefs to delay action.
Example
Emma feels unhappy in her job, but keeps telling herself, “If it’s meant to be, something will naturally come my way.” She stays where she is for years. Only when she decides to take steps on her own, such as applying for jobs and networking, do things change.
4: Recognize and break patterns of avoidance
Sometimes you don’t notice until afterwards that you’ve been pushing away emotions or avoiding situations. Through awareness, you can break these patterns.
What can you do?
- Ask yourself: When do I use spirituality as an escape? For example, is it easier to “let go” than to hold someone accountable for transgressive behavior?
- Watch for signs such as procrastination, constant distractions or deluding yourself that “you are already above it” when deep down you sense that something is still affecting you.
- Share your insights with someone you trust, such as a friend or therapist. Sometimes it helps to hear how others see your behavior.
Example
Kevin struggles with conflict and uses spiritual beliefs as an excuse to avoid confrontation. When a friend treats him disrespectfully, he says, “I just have to accept how he is.” But he feels increasingly frustrated. Eventually he realizes that setting boundaries is also a spiritual act and decides to start the conversation.
5: Accept that discomfort is part of growth
True spiritual and emotional growth is not always pleasant. Sometimes it means having difficult conversations, facing old hurts or breaking habits.
What can you do?
- When you feel discomfort, see it as a sign that something valuable is happening.
- Practice with small moments of discomfort. Speak up once where you would normally be silent. Fully admit an emotion without suppressing it.
- Remind yourself that discomfort is temporary, but the growth that comes from it is permanent.
Example
Aisha finds it difficult to speak out at work. She has always been taught that confrontation is negative. But she decides step by step to express her boundaries. The first few times this feels uncomfortable, but over time she notices that she becomes more confident and receives more respect from her colleagues.
6: Remain critical of your own beliefs
Spiritual beliefs can be powerful and inspiring, but it is important to remain critical. Ask yourself, Does this belief help me, or is it actually holding myself back?
What can you do?
- Don’t be afraid to hold your spiritual beliefs up to the light and adjust them if they no longer work.
- Practice asking questions, including to spiritual teachers or communities. A healthy spiritual practice encourages inquiry and your own thinking.
- Listen to your own intuition. Does something feel like an excuse not to look at yourself? Then that is a sign that there is work to be done.
Example
Mark believes for years that “everything happens for a reason. This helps him accept difficult situations, but over time he finds that he uses it as an excuse for not taking action. He decides to adjust this belief and ask himself, “What can I learn from this, and what can I change myself?”
7: Use meditation and other spiritual practices to supplement emotional processing
Spiritual exercises can support you, but they should not replace actually feeling through and processing emotions.
What can you do?
- Use meditation to become aware of your emotions, not to suppress them.
- Combine spiritual practices with other forms of self-reflection, such as journaling or conversations with a confidant.
- Be alert to the tendency to employ spiritual exercises as a way to avoid difficult feelings.
Example
Jasper often feels anxious and uses yoga to calm himself. Although this helps him find peace in the moment, he realizes that the underlying anxiety remains. In addition to yoga, he decides to talk to a coach to go deeper and address the causes of his anxiety.
By integrating these approaches, you can deal with your emotions in a healthy way while enjoying the benefits of spiritual practices.
8: Seek professional help for deep-seated emotional problems
Sometimes our emotions are so deeply rooted that we can’t get out of them on our own. In such cases, it is wise to call in a professional.
What can you do?
- Consider therapy or counseling to help you process complex feelings.
- Be honest with yourself about the severity of your emotions and recognize when you need help.
- Realize that professional support is not a sign of weakness, but rather a step toward personal growth.
Example
Sophie notices that she keeps getting stuck in the same negative patterns and feelings. Instead of ignoring this or trying to resolve it with spiritual exercises alone, she decides to consult a therapist. By taking this step, she initiates a process of profound healing and self-insight.
Conclusion
Spirituality can be a profound source of strength and insight, but only when coupled with honesty, self-reflection and accountability. Spiritual bypassing may at first seem like a way to find peace, but in the end it holds back real growth and change.
By suppressing emotions rather than acknowledging them, by avoiding responsibility rather than taking action, and by accepting injustice rather than addressing it, we lose not only ourselves but also the opportunity to contribute to a healthier society.
True spirituality requires not the avoidance of discomfort, but the willingness to fully experience everything that presents itself-beautiful and ugly, light and dark. Not to linger in it, but to learn from it and be more consciously alive.
Spiritual growth begins not with ignoring pain, but with feeling it through. Not with letting go of responsibility, but with bearing it. Not with passive trust that “everything happens for a reason,” but with the active choice to contribute to a better world-for yourself and for others.
Resources
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