The Spiritual Ego: Releasing the Illusion of Hierarchy š§āāļøš
- Peace Pod Brandi
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
In the spiritual community, we often hear phrases like āTheyāre just a baby soul,ā or āSheās not very evolved.ā On the surface, these statements might seem harmlessāeven insightful. But if we take a step back, we can begin to recognize them for what they are: subtle expressions of the spiritual ego. š
The spiritual egoĀ is sneaky. It doesnāt show up dressed in flashy materialism or worldly arrogance. Instead, it cloaks itself in enlightenment, wrapped in robes of āwisdomā that quietly whisper, I am better, I am more aware, I am more evolved.
But hereās the truth: any time we place ourselves above another, weāve stepped out of alignment with love. š
The Trap of Spiritual Hierarchy šŖāØ
Itās easy to look around and wonder why the world still seems so filled with anger, greed, materialism, or unconscious behavior. If weāre not careful, that wondering turns into judgment. Why arenāt they waking up? Why donāt they see what I see?
But hereās a radical shift in perspective: What if they are living their soulās exact purposeāfor their highest and best good?
We donāt know whether someone is an old soul returning to experience play and lightness or a new soul here for their very first incarnation. And we donāt need to know.Ā š
The idea that we can assess someoneās spiritual depth based on their behavior is, in itself, an illusion of ego. The very act of ranking souls creates a divide that goes against the unity weāre all seeking.
Judgment as a Mirror šŖš
Hereās where the real soul work begins: When you feel judgment arise, take a breath.Observe.Witness.
Ask yourself:⨠What is this reflecting within me?⨠What part of me still needs healing?⨠Is there something I need to forgive, release, or let go of?
Every time we pass judgment on another, weāre holding up a mirror to our own inner world. That doesnāt mean weāre bad or brokenāit just means weāre still human. š«
And letās be honest: being human is no small task.
When Spiritual Spaces Become Judgmental š
Even in spiritual or faith-based communities, judgment can seep in. Iāve seen it firsthandāand Iāve felt it, too. Groups forming within groups. Words disguised as wisdom are used to elevate oneās place in the hierarchy. It can be painful to witness, let alone experience.
Iāve been in spaces where others pointed out the sliver in my eye while ignoring the log in their own. But instead of closing my heart, Iāve learned to use these moments as powerful teachers. They remind me to stay humble, stay loving, and most of allāstay present with my own healing. š±
Forgive Yourself Instantly š¬ļøš
When you catch yourself judging, don't spiral into guilt. Just pauseĀ and recognize. Then say something loving to your human self like:
āItās okay. Iām learning. I see what happened, and I forgive myself.ā
The more we practice this, the quieter the voice of judgment becomes. Over time, itās replaced with something softerācompassion, curiosity, and true spiritual maturity.Ā š
Everyone Is Living Their Divine Purpose š«
The people who trigger us? The ones whose lifestyles seem totally misaligned with our values?Theyāre not spiritual mistakes. Theyāre playing their divine roleāoften as contrast, catalysts, and mirrors for our growth. Their presence gives us an opportunity to deepen our acceptance, compassion, and self-awareness.
Not everyone is here to live life the way we would. And thatās okay. Thatās beautiful, even.
Letās Return to Unity šš
So the next time you feel the urge to label someone as unevolved or "just not there yet," gently come back to your center.
Ask yourself:
šæĀ Can I observe instead of judge?šæ Can I love without needing to understand?šæ Can I see the soul, not the story?
Because the truth is, every soul is sacred, no matter where they are on their journey. And when we release the illusion of hierarchy, we remember what weāve known all along:
Weāre all walking each other home.Ā ā Ram Dass
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