Religious Fallouts
In my last post I looked at how a religious/spiritual disciple-model relationship, which starts with the best of intentions eventually ends in tears, through the birth of imitative rivalry. Once we jump on the mimetic bandwagon, the initial zeal and devotion we’ve offered up to our common Divinity, morphs into a desire battle to overcome the blocking nature of the model who initially inspired us in our spiritual search. In other words, the model has become the obstacle that lies between us and the object of our ‘faith’. Like the moon blocking out the Sun’s rays during a total eclipse, our previous hero of faith now blots out our sense of freedom in the Divine. The Divinity certainly hasn’t changed but our model mediator has transformed into a barrier that must be surmounted at all costs.
Situations like this often result in either the older Model being expelled from the group by the young pretender, or, more likely, the somewhat shocking departure of the zealous disciple. Dressed up in the linguistic guise of a religious vocation, e.g. God is calling ******* to start a work in another city, this expulsion must be identified for what it truly is, viz a metaphysical defeat. God isn’t the orchestrator of such a move on His Divine chessboard, but the One who mourns the psychic power-plays of His delusional children.
The commonly held, but I believe mistaken, explanation for the multiplicity of varying religious/spiritual groups within a particular religion is often laid at the feet of Divine creativity and love of variety. Such spiritual spin is a cover story for the rivalry that is endemic when mankind attempts to find the Divine, particularly through the mediation of gifted teachers with something new to say. Authentic teachers initially find the imitative desire of their devotees a boost to their religious credentials but one that eventually draws them into the psychic defense game dressed up in the clothes of doctrinal or belief differences.
So what happens to both parties after such a break in spiritual relationship?
1) The Model
The Model victor will be relieved that they have seen off the disciple’s attempt to usurp their authority. In other words their source of adulation from among the remaining followers, is still intact. In fact, this newly reinforced sense of invincibility will only draw their flock deeper into the desire perception of their teacher as a Model. If others have left with the defeated disciple, the well of psychic energy upon which they can draw is reduced in capacity. However newly recruited followers will soon boost the mutual desire flow and the show will continue. When the next disciple’s fascination with the model’s apparent transcendence reaches a critical level, the rivalry dynamic will once more spiral into its well-worn paths.
2) The Disciple
The disillusioned disciple, loser in the metaphysical war, will head off in one of two ways. If their desire energy reserves have been completely depleted in the psychic conflict, then they may give up completely on the faith of their former Model. The life of an atheist or agnostic may provide the burnt out follower with a dwelling place to lick their wounds; wounds of anger, Self doubt and rejection. To be rejected by the Model is indeed a devastating blow to the Self identity of the departed disciple. For many years they may have interpreted Reality through the desire lens of their Teacher friend. Such wounded losers in the psychic wars may remain in their new world view to the end of their days; others after years of healing may return to their religious first love, albeit in a non mediated setting. The new connection with the Divine has, of necessity, to be on a one-to-one basis, without the interpretive interventions of new teacher Models..
If, on the other hand, the defeated disciple has still got plenty of reserves of metaphysical desire, they may plump for setting up a more authentic version of the faith, thereby establishing themselves as a new teacher Model. If folk have followed them from the old Mother Ship, a building and pastoral structure is quickly established,preferably one with a paid full-time element to it. The devotion and commitment of the new followers to such a venture is essential in raising the departed disciple into his newly anointed role as Model Teacher. And so the mimetic game goes on, albeit from a safer distance than before. Both faith groups politely scapegoat one another from afar, yet remain deeply fascinated at the supposed success or failure of one another. Such a dynamic continues until the new faith group and Model expel their own scapegoat disciples from within. And so the fragmentation continues in the name of the Sacred Unity, with just a whiff of hypocrisy.
Spiritual and religious stars come and go in the metaphysical heaven of desire. Follow one at your psycho-spiritual peril.
Best to enjoy the direct rays of the Son I reckon.
I’d like to differ with your experience….but unfortunately, my observations/experiences resonate with yours. Instead of being crucified with Christ, the ego firmly entrenches itself on the Throne of life with near Papal authority. That which feeds his ego is deemed “of the Spirit” by the Model.
The poor Disciple is left to battle a growing uncertainty that something is amiss, questioning the Spirit how such good intentions could go so awry.
How much better for all involved if the Spirit of Philippians 2 guided our actions and motives. We are here to love, serve, and encourage ONE ANOTHER. May we be willing to walk in this Light of Love….
“Like the moon blocking out the Sun’s rays during a total eclipse, our previous hero of faith now blots out our sense of freedom in the Divine. The Divinity certainly hasn’t changed but our model mediator has transformed into a barrier that must be surmounted at all costs.” This exactly describes the experience I had with a spiritual mentor. After looking for a cause on either my side or the mentor’s side, I finally concluded that it was a mutual, although unconscious thing, until I ultimately became aware of it. My mentor was not consciously aware of what was going on, so I was the one to make a gracious exit. Amazing how we can get so caught up in the personal sense of things, which just stifles the divine.
And doesn’t your last sentence say it all? Well done.
I think so Donna!
Thanks for visiting Donna!
I too had an experience similar to this with a spiritual mentor. It was very disconcerting and heart wrenching when my mentor started to pull away from me for no reason that I could understand. I felt utterly rejected! But I go on and I learn from the Source of All things. I still wonder what happened sometimes and we are marginal friends. Actually I believe i have grown more now that I’ve been out from under her wings and flying on the wings of eagles with Christ!
Thanks for commenting Pam. What you describe is an extremely common experience particularly within evangelical, Charismatic or Pentecostal faith groups. The ‘ministry expert’ or Model does eventually pick up on our metaphysical desire to be like them and quickly backs off, leaving us confused and feeling rejected. As you say once we recover, we tend to grow much more quickly as persons when we realize that our walk with Divine love is indeed a very personal one and that Spirit is the one to follow.
Blessings
Dylan