Intuition as a Sanctuary: The Rise of Escapism in Intuitive Guidance
Your real life is likely scarier than any horror movie you could watch on a rainy day. Making a new mistake at work might result in an unexpected and mysterious meeting on your calendar. The infamous "we need to talk" text from your lover or a friend. Unplanned expenses, not enough resources or information on how to move your life ahead, and it's like you need some form of escape from your life, even for a moment. Historically, when you feel this much burden, you are nearing one of three things: burnout, midlife crisis, or desperate need of a vacation. But the way social media culture is set up, often escapism, looks like doom scrolling, a nap, or perhaps a psychic reading.
The generation that grew up with Ms. Cleo infomercials had this ingrained notion that a psychic reading or tarot session is nothing more than for entertainment purposes only, or is it? Millennial culture has truly changed the way religion and spirituality are perceived. This progression from organized religion has influenced both Gen X and Gen Z, respectively, such that what was once taboo is becoming standard in a way that makes your mindset and actions questionable if you have hesitation toward modern-day spiritual practices. However, the issue with the normalization of spirituality is that millennial culture has aimed to water it down or demystify it in ways that offer easy access to those with the authority issues of their generational religions. Nevertheless, this ease of energy has created a double-edged sword. The dilution has left the gate open for frauds and those seeking to utilize ancient practices that effectively harm them and position intuitive guidance as escapism.
The rise of apps such as Instagram and TikTok, and especially the development of Instagram Reels in 2020, has drastically changed how we promote ourselves to the public compared to the marketing techniques used in the past. While this has greatly benefited the creative economy, allowing individuals to achieve financial success at a young age with minimal effort, it has also made the concept of work less serious. Entrepreneurs are now expected to be available around the clock every day of the year due to the culture of social media. While community guidelines are in place, they often only cover clearly harmful content. As a result, decisions to delete videos or accounts can seem arbitrary. Global culture has evolved into a notably discourteous environment in the past decade. This change has been driven by shifts in communication norms, heightened fears of authority, and a trend toward treating work unseriously. This has bred a fertile environment for individuals who are disillusioned with organized religion to be drawn towards spirituality and willing to pay money to escape their reality, even for a short while.
And let's not dismiss the fact that escapism is a trillion-dollar industry. Whether video games, travel and tourism, or scrolling on social media apps, people spend a significant portion of their income on hobbies and activities that bring enjoyment to their lives in various ways every day.
What the masses have not internalized is how deeply ingrained these patterns of escapism have become in aspects that aren't conventionally considered traditional forms of escape, including how it has infiltrated spiritual guidance. In the past five years, I've noticed an increase in the number of people seeking "spiritual guidance" who sound more like they're placing an order at a food truck after taking a wrong exit on the highway rather than genuinely seeking help. For many, spiritual guidance has become more like a game, similar to social media, without realizing that their behavior can have a far more negative impact on themselves than they understand. Because of their profound distrust of authority, Millennials pursue spaces where they can become the main characters. While utilizing their energy to project their disdain for authoritative figures and institutions, they have not cultivated autonomy over their lives.
I talk very little about the spiritual knowledge I've gained from learning and working with spirits in the ways of my West African ancestors since ancient times. Even when I meet clients for the first time, they ask their most coveted yet basic question is often, "Could you tell me about your journey?" It is not rooted in understanding or connection but in satisfying their fantasy of positioning themselves the same way, as if I became this with time and embellishment rather than natural ability and learned customs. It doesn't matter to the clients I serve, who I am, or what I represent, not even my most sacred belief. They are more concerned about themselves and how they can make the most of their time or a relationship that revolves entirely around them and is secured with their payment.
In the past year, I've observed Millennials, particularly those of non-melanated ethnicity, who outwardly appear to be allies, trying to assert dominance in a space where, due to the nature of spirituality, they could never have control. Although it may seem far-fetched, delving into how the average person attempts to manipulate a spiritual guide through subconscious escapism is eerily similar to watching a horror film, especially when considering some of the worst sessions I have experienced in the last year alone. It would be impossible to make this up.
But consider your behavior when you believe something is not real, like watching a horror film. You know that the characters you become invested in and the ones you love to hate are merely actors being filmed by an entire crew. They are acting out a scene written as a product of someone's imagination and set to appear worse than it is–all in the spirit of entertainment. It is not uncommon to yell and scream at the TV screen to express your disgust with the characters' choices, to try to predict what will happen next, and to get angry at the outcomes of the choices made by the characters. You may also find humor and relatability in some parts of the film to the extent that you begin to mimic them to connect with others through parody or because those parts were truly cinematic magic.
The behaviors exhibited while watching a movie have become similar to those of a skeptic during an intuitive guidance session. This wastes energy and allows dishonest spiritual guides to make money by promoting fantasy rather than revealing the profound truths of the soul and the unseen world. Ironically, I find it comedic that so many people are attached to believing that we live our ancestors' wildest dreams when we have become so weak and feeble-minded as a culture. Never in the history of ancient times would one of our ancestors seek out a spiritual guide to engage in what is fantastical rather than getting down to the heart of their problems and standing ready to make the necessary sacrifice to remove their roadblocks or to understand repercussions of a choice they were trying to make. Quite frankly, modern culture has made it that most people no longer have the ability to be guided.
Intuitive guidance has always catalyzed change, altering outcomes and perspectives.
Pursuing intuitive guidance as a form of escape can be the ultimate form of self-deception. By unknowingly putting yourself in a position to be misled by something that initially seems beneficial, you might miss out on the importance of your attitude in spiritual growth. Something meant to help you can end up abandoning the willingness to aid you in your journey if your perception of it is not aligned. If you approach spirituality intending to surrender to what is already there, you can fully tap into its true power and feel empowered in your spiritual journey.
Seeking escapism is a bit surreal when you consider sourcing it from intuitive guidance. What I've learned is that for some people, spirituality isn't a source of comfort but rather a part of their fantasy - a way to mask their vulnerabilities and protect themselves from bearing the responsibility of the truth in its purest form. Ultimately, their spiritual practice, devoid of any genuine faith or connection, doesn't risk their true identity or cause harm, nor do they believe they are causing damage to themselves or others.
What truly defines a student of spirituality is the ability to be present. This is a fundamental aspect that many who set foot on a spiritual path often overlook. They believe that true spirituality lies in rebelling against the traditions of their extended families and ancestors. The surprise that awaits them is that spirituality has its own guidelines. The most crucial of these is to be present and to learn the art of acceptance. Embracing the present moment demands significant inner strength. It's like smoothly shifting gears in a car – once mastered, it propels you seamlessly into the next phase of your personal journey. However, many people struggle to take a manual gear shift from reverse to first with ease, and it is that struggle that becomes projected on the outer world while trying to convince themselves and others that they don't need any assistance. And here lies where most people get stuck and settle for the fantasy rather than enlisting the service of someone born to guide them to safety.
The simple act of being present is a powerful force for change. However, true internal transformation requires more than just presence. It necessitates courage and knowledge. Regardless of our cultural position or the mistakes we've made, the energy that flows through each of us remains unwavering. No method, resource, or technology itself, can diminish the power of All That Is. For those who seek refuge in sacred places through spiritual guidance and immature manipulation tactics, the question is:
"How can you seek escapism through a force that holds your perception of reality together without an independent source of imagination?"