it took me 2 years to recognize the spiritual red flags I was ignoring

ok so I finally feel ready to talk about this.

I was part of a spiritual community for almost two years and I genuinely thought I was growing so much. looking back now I can see SO many red flags I just... completely missed at the time.

the biggest one was how the teacher would shame anyone who asked hard questions. like if you pushed back even a little you were told your "ego was blocking your ascension" or whatever. I thought that was just how serious spiritual growth worked?? it took me leaving and joining a different community to realize no, good teachers actually WELCOME questions.

also the constant urgency around purchasing things. every month there was some new course or ritual kit that was ESSENTIAL for your journey right now. I spent way more money than I want to admit.

and the love bombing at the beginning!! everyone was so incredibly warm and welcoming and I felt like I finally found my people. then slowly if you questioned anything that warmth would just... disappear.

I'm not trying to trash anyone. I genuinely believe some of the people there were also just caught up in it. but I wish someone had handed me a list of red flags before I started.

has anyone else had to unlearn stuff from a community that turned out to be more about control than actual growth?

omg thank you for sharing this. the "ego blocking ascension" thing is such a red flag and I feel like it's SO common. it's basically a way to shut down any critical thinking

I had a similar experience with a yoga teacher who would get visibly cold if you questioned her methods. took me way too long to trust my gut on that one

In all my years walking this path, I've watched this pattern repeat itself in community after community. What you've described - the love bombing, the silencing of questions, the financial pressure - these are not spiritual teachings. They are control mechanisms wearing spiritual clothing.

The mark of a genuine teacher is that they point you toward your own inner authority, not away from it. Anyone who makes themselves the gatekeeper of your spiritual progress is worth questioning.

Thank you for speaking about this openly. Your experience will help others recognize what you've described before they get as far in.

the love bombing to cold shoulder pipeline is so real and so disorienting. you spend so long trying to get back to that warm feeling that you just... comply with whatever

I'm glad you got out and found something better

Margaret T thank you, this really helps frame it. "pointing toward your own inner authority" - that's exactly the difference I've noticed in the community I'm in now. the teacher here literally says "don't believe me, test it yourself"

and yeah stardustsoul the trying to get back to that warm feeling is exactly it. that's what kept me there so long honestly

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it took me 2 years to recognize the spiritual red flags I was ignoring

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