Telling the Truth About Our Spiritual Sickness
This week I attended a celebration of life for the former husband of a close friend. Those who spoke at his funeral described him as a deeply spiritual and kind man. When it was the priest’s time to speak, he repeated…
This week I attended a celebration of life for the former husband of a close friend. Those who spoke at his funeral described him as a deeply spiritual and kind man. When it was the priest’s time to speak, he repeated what the man’s friends and relatives had shared. Then he offered a powerful yet simple description of spirituality. He said:
“The most fundamental definition of spirituality is that you believe in something greater than yourself.”
The simplicity and power of that statement have stayed with me all week. If that definition is true, then surely, we must see that the world has forgotten our innate connection to that higher source. Our behavior is the very opposite of believing in something greater than ourselves. The demeaning, vitriolic, and often cruel ways we treat one another—whether on the national, international, or personal level—are rooted in self-centeredness and the belief that power and independence are greater than the inspired guidance of love.
Our world suffers from more than political division or cultural polarization; it suffers from a spiritual crisis. When self-interest, greed, and the worship of personal power dominate, we lose the sense of reverence for life itself. Without a larger perspective, we become disconnected, treating one another as enemies or objects to be defeated rather than as fellow beings with inherent worth. The result is not only broken systems and institutions but broken hearts, widespread loneliness, and a pervasive sense of meaninglessness. No wonder so many resort to hopelessness and random violence.
For many years I have wanted to write about the spirituality of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic). Each time I began, a little voice in my head whispered, “You can’t do that. Your readers will think you are writing about religion, and that’s off limits. People equate spirituality with religion, and you’ll turn them away.” Each time I listened to that voice, I stepped back, played small, and worried about what others might think.
But it’s time. It’s time to talk about the broader definition of spirituality as a personal acknowledgement of a deeper truth. It’s time to acknowledge the spiritual apathy that has taken hold of our world—and how we might begin to heal it.
At the heart of The Empowerment Dynamic is the role of Creator. The Creator essence is not simply about making things or setting goals—it is about remembering who we truly are at our core. Each of us is born with a spark of life that longs to create, to express, and to bring forth the most positive aspects of our nature. That impulse to create is sacred. It is the universal spark of energy that animates our very being.
When we step into our Creator essence, we acknowledge that we are part of something larger. We realize that our lives are not just about satisfying personal cravings or protecting our egos. Instead, our lives are about aligning with the deeper flow of creation, listening for what wants to emerge through us, and trusting that we are connected to a greater whole. This shift is profoundly spiritual. To live as a Creator is to honor the mystery and majesty of all life.
This is why Creator essence is an antidote to our current spiritual sickness. In a world overcome with self-centeredness, anger, and division, Creator energy restores humility, reverence, and connection. It turns our gaze from “What can I get?” to “What can I give?” From “How do I win?” to “How do I contribute?” It shifts us from scarcity and fear into generosity and trust.
When we remember our Creator essence, we remember that we belong to one another and to a greater whole. We remember that every act of kindness, every courageous step toward healing, and every small gesture of love is part of something much bigger. Living as a Creator is not naïve optimism; it is a spiritual discipline that says, even when the world feels fractured, I choose to align with the greater life force of love that is within me and every human being. That is our connection to that which is greater than ourselves.The truth is, we will not heal our world by shouting louder, defending more fiercely, or clinging to power. We will heal it by awakening to the Creator essence that dwells within us all. It is the truest expression of our nature, and the greatest contribution we can make toward healing our world. That is the spiritual work of our time.
Until next time, here’s to the Creator in you.