Mystics like me – magicians, meditators, theurgists, and the like – face a problem of ego. We may have a deep insight or powerful experience and get full of ourselves. Perhaps the opposite occurs, and something or someone shakes our ego, so we shore it up by overdoing it. Whatever challenges we may face I want to talk about something that’s helped keep my “mystical ego” in check.
Podcasts.
I love podcasts on conspiracy theories, religious scams, and weirdness – as you can see on my resources pages. These subjects fascinate me in general, but they’re also critical to dealing with the world. Many gurus, politicians, and grifters are happy to sell bullshit and eat away at society just to get some money or an ego boost. These podcasts help me stay aware of such people and how we may armor ourselves and others to stop them.
Sometimes I wondered what these podcasters might make of my own mystical activities and realized that such ruminations were a fantastic exercise to keep my ego in check. Imagining very witty people I respect using their bullshit detectors on me gives me pause for thought. Would my writings and philosophy withstand their gaze if I was more well-known? If my plans come to fruition, would I be worthy of their ire or someone they’d respect?
This has been a great way to reduce arrogance in the metaphysical areas of my life. These podcasters are people who could detect bullshit if they met me. They’re also people I respect, so I suppose the idea of disappointing them even in my imagination is useful.
As you, my dear reader, are probably much like me – you despise spiritual exploiters and grifters – consider this useful exercise (or perhaps exorcise) Not only will you discover some amazing podcasters, you’ll develop an insightful tool to keep your ego in check. That way you’re one more helper in a world with a lot of exploitative assholes hijacking spirituality.
– Xenofact