Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns and Characteristics of Spiritual NarcissistsThe Psychology of Spiritual NarcissismSpiritual Narcissism and RelationshipsHow to Deal With Spiritual NarcissistsHealing and Recovery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs and Characteristics of Spiritual Narcissists
The Psychology of Spiritual Narcissism
Spiritual Narcissism and Relationships
How to Deal With Spiritual Narcissists
Healing and Recovery
Close
Examples of spiritual narcissism can range from thetoxic positivityof “good vibes only” that leaves others feeling emotionally invalidated, to threats that you’re going to hell or that you will suffer and be punished for not believing in a specific religion.
Read on to figure out how to identify the signs of spiritual narcissism, the psychology behind it, and how to deal with spiritual narcissists when you encounter them.
Nadia Audigie / Moment / Getty Images
There are numerous signs and characteristics that a spiritual narcissist may display. “Spiritual narcissists are individuals who use their spirituality or religious beliefs as a means of gaining power, control, and admiration from others,” explains Dr. Sanam Hafeez, NYC Neuropsychologist and Director ofComprehend the Mind.
She says “they believe that they are more spiritually evolved than others and use this belief to justify their actions, even if it means hurting others.”
Hafeez mentions that not everyone who exhibits one of the following behaviors is necessarily a narcissist of any type. “It’s important to note that not everyone who uses spiritual language or expressions is a spiritual narcissist. These signs should be considered in the context of an individual’s overall behavior and patterns,” she explains.
Signs
The following signs are among the ways you might be able to identify a spiritual narcissist:
Everyday Examples
Chances are that you’ve encountered a spiritual narcissist at some point in your life. Hafeez says these are the varying ways in can present in daily life:
Spiritual narcissism is similar to other forms, such ascovertorcommunalnarcissism in that all are types of narcissism. That said, falling victim to spiritual narcissism does not mean that a person hasnarcissistic personality disorder.
“Becoming a spiritual narcissist can stem from various factors, and it is not limited to individuals prone to narcissism in general,” says Hafeez, who notes that narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a clinically diagnosedpersonality disorderand that spiritual narcissism is not.
Spiritual narcissism can happen to anyone, and it may have perfectly innocent beginnings. We might take up meditation, or yoga, or join a religious movement, and begin to erroneously think that our new practice makes us more evolved or a deeper person than others we know.
This isn’t necessarily harmful until one begins to act on these ideas. It’s important to remember that people aren’t inherently “better” or “worse” than others, and that everyone is a being worthy of kindness and consideration.
It can be helpful to be mindful of your enthusiasm for a new practice as going to an extreme in it could result in your doing it more for your ego than your spiritual practice.
As you might expect, it can be tough to be emotionally close to a spiritual narcissist.
When someone exhibits spiritual narcissistic tendencies, they often prioritize their own needs, beliefs, and desires above those of others. This self-centered behavior can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding in relationships.—SANAM HAFEEZ, PSYD
When someone exhibits spiritual narcissistic tendencies, they often prioritize their own needs, beliefs, and desires above those of others. This self-centered behavior can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding in relationships.
—SANAM HAFEEZ, PSYD
A spiritual narcissist also might not treat you well, as they weaponize their own misunderstanding of being better than others against people. “Spiritual narcissists may use their spiritual or religious beliefs as a means to control, manipulate, or shame others, causing emotional harm,” Hafeez says.
And because they innately seek validation and praise, she says that you may end up stuck in an unbalanced dynamic, in which your needs aren’t prioritized and those of the spiritual narcissist are.
Spiritual narcissism can lead to the downfall of close relationships, especially if it continues on for long a period of time. “These behaviors can erode trust, foster resentment, and ultimately lead to the breakdown of relationships and friendships,” Hafeez says.
While ideally a spiritual narcissist would pause and reflect on their actions on their own, there’s a chance that won’t happen and you’ll have to deal with the situation directly. Hafeez says it’s paramount that you be firm in your boundaries and communicate in an assertive manner, in order to maintain your own self ofself-worthand emotional wellness.
You may wish to find support from others as well. “Seeking support from trusted friends, family, or professionals who understand narcissistic dynamics can also provide guidance and validation,” suggests Hafeez. A professional can also help you educate yourself about spiritual narcissism, which can help you on your path
‘Understanding the dynamics of narcissistic behavior can help you navigate the relationship more effectively and protect your own well-being. Educating yourself about narcissism can also help you develop strategies for dealing with their manipulative tactics," Hafeez suggests.
She warns that a spiritual narcissist might become emotionally abusive or toxic, so you should be on the lookout for those behaviors and in the habit of prioritizing your own self-care and personal growth aside from this person.
Engage in activities that bring you joy, reduce stress, and help you maintain a sense of self. This can include hobbies, exercise, meditation, therapy, or spending time with supportive people.—SANAM HAFEEZ, PSYD
Engage in activities that bring you joy, reduce stress, and help you maintain a sense of self. This can include hobbies, exercise, meditation, therapy, or spending time with supportive people.
Lastly, Hafeez tells us that direct confrontation should be avoided. “Engaging in direct confrontation with a spiritual narcissist may escalate the situation and lead to further harm. Instead, focus onsetting boundariesand assertively expressing your needs without engaging in power struggles or arguments,’ she suggests.
As with every major life issue, therapy can help you immensely inrecovering from the abuseof a spiritual narcissist. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you prioritize your own self-case and emotional wellness.
Spiritual narcissism is what happens when a person mistakenly lets their spiritual or religious practice go to their head and think it makes them superior to others. A spiritual narcissist may seek validation and praise for their actions, might lack empathy, and isn’t likely to take responsibility for their mistakes. It can be challenging to engage with one, and relationships with them can be problematic. If you are in relationship with someone like this, you’ll want to find support, whether through friends or a therapist. You may need to distance yourself from the person, if not end the relationship entirely. Spiritual narcissism isn’t a formal diagnosis, and it can be recovered from.
1 SourceVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vonk R, Visser A.An exploration of spiritual superiority: The paradox of self‐enhancement.Euro J Social Psych. 2021;51(1):152-165.
1 Source
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vonk R, Visser A.An exploration of spiritual superiority: The paradox of self‐enhancement.Euro J Social Psych. 2021;51(1):152-165.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Vonk R, Visser A.An exploration of spiritual superiority: The paradox of self‐enhancement.Euro J Social Psych. 2021;51(1):152-165.
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
