It's not just more formal spiritual movements, but informal ones as well. In 12-step fellowships (all modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous), all of which describe themselves as "spiritual, not religious" programs for recovery from [fill in the blank], those who find they have an innate speaking ability and/or some degree of charisma are able to latch onto the "spiritual principles" and create far less formal but equally superficial networks. In these cases, it's rarely about money, but, rather, attention, specifically, the pedestal at the center is their aim, though they would never say that.
As a result, the "unity" the fellowships say they depend on is challenged by the cliques these narcissists create. And guess what? Yep, they don't care. Often, eventually, they will fall, sometimes spectacularly, from their pedestals, but usually only after they have caused monumental damage. And, where these fellowships deal with drug and alcohol addiction, that damage could result (and has resulted) in death.
Of course, there is more. These newly anointed "spiritual beings" are not necessarily narcissists, but often, not much more than just abstinent, they are still all about self. They will, almost reflexively, weaponize spirituality. They find the newest and next level of spiritual growth, jump onto the latest spiritual bandwagon and otherwise measure others by whatever spiritual yardstick is on the hit parade that month. They - all of them - have missed the entire point. That doesn't make me better, more spiritual or more enlightened - I wouldn't know how or care to measure those things. However, I am content. As it turns out, that's all I ever wanted.
