I love the idea that the desire for ritual and the necessity for a spiritual culture is a side effect of rapid colonialism. Because you’re right, most Americans don’t identify as anything other than white. And there is a void of culture and ritual so we turn towards a means within our commodified lives to
falsely create it.
But here’s a question- if ritual and culture is a necessary part of living- what should we do now? Should we study our lineage and try to go back to reflect on the context of what came before us. Or has ritual and culture always been a farce and this new iteration is just a modern weaker version of it.
i dont have a prescriptive answer to your question other than to encourage you(anyone) to maintain curiosity about the world around you, and to confront reality.
sometimes realizing uncomfortable truths can feel like being blamed, and i think thats why a lot of people turn to "not me"isms -- it's not my fault, i'm not part of the problem, i'm just taking care of myself. but studying the context of anything -- your lineage or not -- is helpful to understanding the world, why things are the way they are now.
so much of this white healer stuff, plugging your ears and declaring yourself a 5d ethereal starseed who communicates with 'another dimension', is an easy way to shirk thinking about context. what could possibly be more free from context than a completely other dimension. and that, to me, is the biggest farce of all.
i regularly attend hot yoga classes, appreciate the benefits meditation has on my life, and love a nice sound bath. but these are just my personal preferences. i try to ask questions even when the answers dont always make me feel 'good' but help me see things for what they really are. and some of the answers ive found have led me to personally be like yeah, i love going to hot yoga but no, im not gonna chant with a bunch of 20 something white girls or pretend attending class is some act of valor. but thats just me.
i thought about your comment for a long time and still don't feel like i have an adequate answer. which means i have to think about it more.
Yeah this was a banger. The voice you write with speaks right to my center. Whatever formless mass that is encapsulated in my body is totally into your words!
This is a great essay, and particularly relevant. We all seek happiness, and I generally find that it’s free, based on a mindset, and a commitment to bodily health. That’s it. I’m exhausted by “spirituality” and all the lingo of eastern and western religions, all the monetizing and exploitation, so I avoid it. There’s a lot of things competing to keep us unhappy, and much of it is real and inevitable. Still, dancing to a good disco record, or just laying on the floor for ten thought-free minutes can be a valid antidote, even if it’s temporary. Thanks for the way you chisel at the formless marble of life—the sculptures you create are compelling.
Also white lady teaching Native flute made laugh out loud. Jesus.
thank you! she's a perfect caricature. she's like the avril lavigne of white healer starseed girlies. i honestly wouldnt be surprised if she had a team of pr people helping to craft her character. pure capitalist antichrist. good for her.
I really enjoyed this ride of a piece, especially your analysis of the healing industry mixed with the badly disguised need for avoiding personal responsibilities of both white "culture" and religions.
As usual your writing style feels really soothing, almost familiar yet it keeps a vibrant and trembling tone.
I love the idea that the desire for ritual and the necessity for a spiritual culture is a side effect of rapid colonialism. Because you’re right, most Americans don’t identify as anything other than white. And there is a void of culture and ritual so we turn towards a means within our commodified lives to
falsely create it.
But here’s a question- if ritual and culture is a necessary part of living- what should we do now? Should we study our lineage and try to go back to reflect on the context of what came before us. Or has ritual and culture always been a farce and this new iteration is just a modern weaker version of it.
hey, thank you for your thoughtful comment!
i dont have a prescriptive answer to your question other than to encourage you(anyone) to maintain curiosity about the world around you, and to confront reality.
sometimes realizing uncomfortable truths can feel like being blamed, and i think thats why a lot of people turn to "not me"isms -- it's not my fault, i'm not part of the problem, i'm just taking care of myself. but studying the context of anything -- your lineage or not -- is helpful to understanding the world, why things are the way they are now.
so much of this white healer stuff, plugging your ears and declaring yourself a 5d ethereal starseed who communicates with 'another dimension', is an easy way to shirk thinking about context. what could possibly be more free from context than a completely other dimension. and that, to me, is the biggest farce of all.
i regularly attend hot yoga classes, appreciate the benefits meditation has on my life, and love a nice sound bath. but these are just my personal preferences. i try to ask questions even when the answers dont always make me feel 'good' but help me see things for what they really are. and some of the answers ive found have led me to personally be like yeah, i love going to hot yoga but no, im not gonna chant with a bunch of 20 something white girls or pretend attending class is some act of valor. but thats just me.
i thought about your comment for a long time and still don't feel like i have an adequate answer. which means i have to think about it more.
What a journey! I think this article was a portal for me
thanks for entering my portal buddy
Yeah this was a banger. The voice you write with speaks right to my center. Whatever formless mass that is encapsulated in my body is totally into your words!
thank you! thanks for reading it :)
This is a great essay, and particularly relevant. We all seek happiness, and I generally find that it’s free, based on a mindset, and a commitment to bodily health. That’s it. I’m exhausted by “spirituality” and all the lingo of eastern and western religions, all the monetizing and exploitation, so I avoid it. There’s a lot of things competing to keep us unhappy, and much of it is real and inevitable. Still, dancing to a good disco record, or just laying on the floor for ten thought-free minutes can be a valid antidote, even if it’s temporary. Thanks for the way you chisel at the formless marble of life—the sculptures you create are compelling.
Also white lady teaching Native flute made laugh out loud. Jesus.
thanks for the insightful comment and very poetic compliment. im glad you enjoyed it.
I love the way you write. Also, what are your thoughts on shanin Blake lol?
thank you! she's a perfect caricature. she's like the avril lavigne of white healer starseed girlies. i honestly wouldnt be surprised if she had a team of pr people helping to craft her character. pure capitalist antichrist. good for her.
I just chuckle when I see her because it's so manufactured in my opinion. And yes! The capitalist antichrist!!!!
Holy hell this was amazing
ty ben!!!!!!!!!!
oh yeah for sure, you were one of the first substackers i followed from your Ig. And i get the portal now. i’m building a space station.
I really enjoyed this ride of a piece, especially your analysis of the healing industry mixed with the badly disguised need for avoiding personal responsibilities of both white "culture" and religions.
As usual your writing style feels really soothing, almost familiar yet it keeps a vibrant and trembling tone.
A big hug through this 5d portal from Italy!
Yo, this slapped. Excellent stuff
This is inspiring work Drew!