A Rite of Passage in the “Cult of Everything”

When tasked with waking up from the matrix, the process isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. It’s about pulling oneself out of the amnesia that veils the truth and daring to remember what was once forgotten. Yet, for much of my life, I’ve sought distraction—not to remember but to forget.

Trauma has its way of weaving itself into the landscape of the mind, painting over reality like a red carpet. When the light hits just right, it’s easy to mistake those patterns for permanent fixtures, as if the pain is immovable and unchanging. And so, my human experience has often been defined not by paying to remember, but by paying—sometimes dearly—to forget.

But forgetting only postpones the inevitable: the reckoning with the illusions I knowingly or unknowingly consented to. The journey to awaken from them has been both sobering and liberating. Sobering, because it’s required facing the raw truth of my own complicity in my illusions and the wounds that tethered me to them. Liberating, because each step toward awareness brings a lightness, a reclamation of self, and a profound recognition of my own power to choose differently.

Awakening isn’t a single moment but an ongoing journey of peeling back layers, rejecting distraction, and re-learning what it means to truly see. To remember is to honor the truth that’s always been within us, patiently waiting beneath the noise.

 It’s a process that feels deeply tied to what I call “Con Spirituality – A Rite of Passage”—a profound reflection on how external validation and collective programming can masquerade as empowerment, all while trapping us in cycles of dependency.

The Placebo Bliss of “Freedom”

When I first broke free from the cult-like environment that had shaped so much of my life, I experienced an intoxicating high. For about two weeks, I felt truly liberated—freed from the prison of collusion, shame, and disempowerment that had once defined my existence. It was as though I had finally overcome the constraints that bound me, and I reveled in that fleeting sense of victory.

But then, reality struck. The forces I thought I had escaped weren’t just external; they were embedded deep within me. The patterns of thought, the reflexive search for validation, and the lingering influence of those systems remained firmly rooted. It wasn’t just a cult I had to leave—it was a way of being I had to unlearn.

Confronting My Own Biases

The realization hit during a conversation with a friend who shared that she still attended church—not out of obligation, but because she enjoyed the experience. She spoke about the singing, the comforting Bible stories, and the messages of hope and love that brought her solace. At first, I felt the urge to challenge her. To me, what she described sounded like ritualized bypassing, a form of distraction disguised as spirituality.

But her words lingered. As I reflected, I saw how easy it is for all of us to cling to systems that promise hope and connection, even when they subtly demand our allegiance in return. Her perspective was a mirror for my own experiences—how I, too, had been seduced by systems that offered comfort while quietly asking for my autonomy.

The Ubiquity of Cult-Like Systems

As I began to unpack my thoughts, I saw parallels everywhere: the “cult of love and light,” the “cult of evangelical,” the “cult of gym culture,” and even the “cult of materialism.” These systems share a common thread—they offer identity, belonging, and purpose but at a cost. They promise fulfillment, provided we keep paying, obeying, or adhering.

At first, the idea that “everything could be a cult” felt absurd. Wouldn’t we recognize it? But that’s the insidious brilliance of these systems—they’re designed to feel normal, even essential. They often infiltrate our lives so seamlessly that we fail to question their grip on us.

Materialism as a Spiritual Bypass

Through this lens, I began to see how deeply humans are consumed by the materialism we consent to. It’s not just the religion we proclaim or the communities we join—it’s in the car we drive, the shampoo we lather with, and the endless search for the “right” product, ideology, or lifestyle that will finally bring happiness.

Everywhere, we are tempted by the bypass of cult-like practices, lured by promises of freedom or fulfillment that often deepen our dependence. The cult of materialism doesn’t just exist in flashy advertisements; it resides in our routines, our choices, and the narratives we tell ourselves about what we need to be happy.

Reclaiming Autonomy: A True Rite of Passage

For me, this rite of passage isn’t about rejecting all systems or rituals. It’s not about demonizing spirituality, community, or even material enjoyment. Instead, it’s about reclaiming my autonomy—learning to question what I align myself with and choosing consciously.

True liberation isn’t about escaping the external world. It’s about breaking free from unconscious submission to it. It’s about stepping back, looking deeper, and asking:

* Does this align with my values?

* Am I making this choice from a place of authenticity or pressure?

* What am I giving away in exchange for this sense of belonging or validation?

This process has taught me that freedom isn’t a destination or a reward—it’s a practice. It’s the daily act of reclaiming my power and honoring my inner truth.

The Journey Ahead

Awakening from illusions isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process of unlearning, questioning, and choosing anew. It’s a commitment to live consciously in a world designed to seduce and distract. For me, it’s about no longer being ruled by the forces that once dictated my worth and stepping into the quiet power of my own autonomy.

This journey has been humbling, challenging, and ultimately empowering. And while the pull of collective programming still tugs at me from time to time, I’ve learned that true freedom isn’t found in rejecting the world—it’s found in choosing how I engage with it.