Part Two: Spiritual Addiction - Symptoms of Spiritual Addiction

Addiction, from the perspective of energy medicine, can be looked at as a need to fill something that is missing in one's life. Instead of filling this void with what is missing, it is instead medicated by things such as alcohol, money, drugs, or in this case spiritual practices.

Let me be clear that I'm talking about someone who is obsessed with their practice to the point where they loose their job, friends, and become out of touch with reality - all the symptoms of classic addiction.

Denial of Reality/Disconnected from Reality
We all live in this world with all its flaws and beauties. Each of us accept this fact. There are aspects of this reality that we don't like. We have two choices: work to change it or ignore it. With the spiritually addicted person there is a third option: make their own world without any of the flaws of the present reality.

This, I believe, stems from the manifestation movement which states (simplified) if you believe in something then it will manifest in your life. The person who is spiritually addicted takes this belief to the extreme. They think of a world they would like to live in and work to make that possible in at least one world - theirs. Often times the rest of the world will enter their world, but most of the time they will ignore it, pretending they don't see it or that it doesn't exist. It is entirely possible that they don't see it. In this case, they are so engrossed in their own world and beliefs that it would take a lot for them to see differently.

Note: The denial of reality is not limited to just people who are spiritually addicted. This can happen to anyone whether they have spiritual beliefs or not. Sometimes this is a defense they use to protect themselves in life. While other times people just don't want to face reality and will so pretend to live in a different world until they believe it themselves. None of this is good or bad. It just is.

Belief they are better than everyone else
Going along with the creation of their own world there is usually an attitude that they are better than everyone else around them. This attitude comes out because they hold a strong belief that they are more spiritually advanced. The question to remain is: Are they doing this consciously or unconsciously? It is entirely possible they do not realize the attitude they portray to those around them, especially those they feel disappointed in or those they view as not spiritual enough.

Constantly looking to fill a void - going from one thing to another
This one goes for anyone who has an addition. Trying to fill a void/something that feels missing from one's life is the underlying reason to become addicted to something. Until one discovers what is missing and begins to fill that void, there will always be addiction of some kind.

Criticism of others for not being as spiritual as they are
This is an off-shoot of the belief that they are better than everyone else. The criticism may be direct or indirect, but those that feel it know it is there. In this case they will attract people into their lives where they can constantly "teach" and never be questioned. This re-inforces the fact that they are more spiritual than everyone else since they are constantly needing to "teach." Beware though, as soon as they are questioned you will soon find yourself out of their live because you have done something that goes against the world they created.

Getting people to give them money and learn from them spiritually
At the very extreme of the addiction is trying to convince others to give them money because they are more spiritually advanced. This can take on many forms: from the outright creation of a church or organization to the person couch hopping.

There may be more symptoms that I've missed, but for now, these seem to be they key ones that are overt and obvious. I would love to hear if anyone thinks there are more and what they are.