IS IT ASCENSION OR IS IT A TRAUMA RESPONSE?
In our modern world, spirituality is often marketed as a path to transcend the struggles of the human experience. Many believe that exploring spirituality means moving beyond the mundane and connecting with higher realms. But what if the search for spiritual growth is actually a sophisticated dissociation strategy?
When we feel disconnected from our bodies, the present moment, or the external environment, we instinctively seek refuge. If the body feels unsafe or the world feels overwhelming, we might turn to spirituality as a form of escape. When emotions become too intense, we may label them “low frequency” and attempt to rise above them. But in reality, leaving the body and the present moment is still leaving — it's a detachment, not a form of growth.
This type of dissociation can be subtle. It often manifests as seeking higher consciousness, claiming “ascension,” or focusing on the spiritual rather than the human. While these concepts can carry great wisdom, they can also perpetuate a split between who we are as humans and our higher selves. Spirituality that excludes the body is not truly holistic; it’s a bypass that leaves us fragmented.
The truth is, the way to explore spirituality is not by leaving the body, but by coming deeper into it. True spirituality doesn’t ask us to escape the human experience, but to fully inhabit it. The body is not the obstacle to spiritual growth — it is the very doorway.
When we disconnect from the body, we miss the point: our physical form is where the path of spiritual exploration begins. Every sensation, every feeling, every breath carries wisdom. The key to deepening our spiritual practice is not about avoiding discomfort, but about embracing it fully — welcoming both the pain and the joy that live in the body. Spirituality is not about rising above; it’s about grounding deeper within.
True spiritual exploration brings us in — into the nerves, the breath, the emotions, and even the pain. When we understand that our body is the true vessel for our soul’s journey, we stop trying to escape it and instead, we learn to listen, honor, and embody it.
If your spiritual practice is taking you out of your body, it’s time to ask: Is this healing, or is this hiding?