An example of this first type of spiritual materialism would be surrounding yourself, with crucifixes, malas, holy books, the bible, the quoran, crystals, statues, rosaries, holy relics, prints of spiritual deities, books or tv shows of a supernatural nature or anything of the sort. Many of us may have one or two of these items and this is fine. It is when there is a collection built, a compulsion or need to surround yourself with these items that it becomes a spiritual materialism. This is the most base of spiritual materialism as it has its grounding in the physical world. Possessing these items is not a guilt or offense alone, because it is when the possession is in conjunction with a superiority complex.
This is the next stage of spiritual materialism the halo effect, it is a holier than thou attitude. A feeling that these people don’t deserve to worship here or have these items because they cannot properly care or appreciate them. This is the ego feeding off of the spiritual need to better one’s self. This halo effect has the opposite effect however and pulls us closer toward materialism and the desire to belong, to control and conquer.
Spiritual materialism is not a means to an end, it is a soul sickness...READ MORE>>>...