Narcissism and Colonialism — The Same Demon (The Yoga Industry)
Updated: Nov 20, 2024
[Photo: David Kuba]
Follow me on a journey of unlearning untruths and discover the parallel between Narcissism and Colonialism — they are one and the same!
In this yoga podcast I uncover the stages of Narcissistic Abuse and how these are related to the same power dynamics at play which steal and abuse indigenous knowledge systems, like Sanatana Dharma.
I recommend books and resources related to Narcissism by Shahida Arabi. She is brilliant. Educate yourself to protect yourself. Heal mind, body and spirit through truthful methodologies instead of whitewashed and watered down indigenous practices that can do more harm then good, long term.
Let me know after listening to this podcast specific to the dharma traditions— do you see the parallel between this mental sickness with the power structure that shapes our world view?
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Payal
Reading your piece made me think back to a yoga retreat I attended a few years ago in Bali, where the instructor constantly talked about “awakening the divine self” while simultaneously selling us pricey “spiritual upgrades” and exclusive workshops. At first I felt inspired, but the more I listened, the clearer it became that the same ego‑driven narrative was being used to justify a hierarchy—just like the colonial mindset you describe https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/business/10poker.html?_r=18 I remember sitting in a circle, watching a fellow participant, a Western expat, claim that the local teachers were “still stuck in primitive beliefs,” while the same person was buying a $300 crystal set marketed as “ancient wisdom.” It felt like a modern version of cultural appropriation wrapped…