The Dangers of Generic Self-Help Advice
The human condition of ignorance and societal skewed perception can make vague spiritual and self-development advice harmful because the advice lacks tangible, applicable information required for meaningful introspection and action.
Cognitive Filters: Our perception is formed through our existing mental frameworks, which are shaped by societal norms, cultural beliefs, and personal biases. Phrases like "release your limitations" or "connect with your higher self" are unfortunately so broad that they can be reinterpreted to align with anyone's pre-existing views, reinforcing them rather than challenging those mental structures.
Ego Defense Mechanisms: Generic advice can inadvertently boost the ego by allowing individuals to feel spiritually or morally superior without requiring concrete action. For instance, saying "praise God" or "be the light" feels virtuous, but it often doesn't compel a person to critically evaluate specific behaviors like exploiting others, supporting harmful systems, or failing to take responsibility for their impact and actions.
Ambiguity Breeds Complacency: Without specific applications, vague advice offers no perceivable actions. For example, "release your limitations" might inspire momentary reflection and even an exhilarating rush of what we perceive doing that may feel like but rarely leads to identifying and unlearning tangible limitations, such as habitual, deep-rooted biases or unconscious complicity in destructive societal structures.
Lack of Practical Integration: Humans are often too absorbed in their everyday routine, societal views and ego-driven desires to have the capacity for translating abstract concepts into practical behaviors. For example, identifying a personal limitation like supporting animal cruelty can feel uncomfortable, and vague advice doesn’t provide the tools or motivation to make a lifestyle change like adopting a plant-based diet.
The Illusion of Progress: Broad statements give the illusion of personal growth without requiring a genuine effort to deepen understanding or embody change. This creates a spiritual bypass, skipping the hard work of confronting internal contradictions and societal conditioning.
The Impact of Specificity and Practical Application
For advice to be accessible and transformative it must challenge specific societal norms such as, "Reflect on how your consumption choices perpetuate harm to animals and the planet. Choose which path you want to be on and keep off the grass.”
To truly ‘raise your vibration’ you must encourage self-awareness beyond ego and self-importance. For instance, "Your judgments of others illuminate your own insecurities and biases. To evolve, it's up to you to examine why these insecurities exist within you.”
We need actionable, grounded practices; for example, “Practice gratitude for your most humiliating, guilt-ridden moments by laughing at yourself for not knowing better to release your shame and ego.”
By rooting advice, spiritual sayings, and mantras in more precise, actionable terms, individuals are more likely to identify precognitive views, step outside their comfort zones, break free from societal conditioning, and engage in meaningful transformation.
-J. Wesley
