Nov 10, 2026 · 48 min
Spirituality seeks meaning beyond the self
Spiritual but not Religious, from No Small Endeavor
The episode examines whether contemporary spiritual practices answer genuine human longings or merely repackage consumerism and self-affirmation.
- 1Manifesting, tarot, crystals, and astrology express real longings for help, belonging, wisdom, and transcendence.
- 2Spirituality becomes suspect when it promises frictionless fulfillment or treats personal wishes as divine revelation.
- 3Trustworthy spirituality should enlarge attention beyond the self and include traditions or communities able to lovingly say no.
Don't miss
Lee’s closing reflection offers two tests for trustworthy spirituality: whether it enlarges attention beyond the self and can lovingly say no.
The brief
Lee C. Camp and Belle Tindall-Riley begin with a disenchanted world: rationalism, technology, and autonomy have not erased the human hunger for meaning, transcendence, and enchantment.
From Glastonbury’s Healing Field to manifesting, tarot, crystals, astrology, and WitchTok, Belle treats popular spirituality as evidence of legitimate longings rather than mere irrationality.
The conversation turns when spiritual practices promise a frictionless life. Manifesting can offer help without surrender, but it can also assume people know what will make them happy.
Tarot and online witchcraft may provide external wisdom and belonging, yet consumerism and expressive individualism can simply return in spiritual clothing.
Lee’s closing test is demanding: trustworthy spirituality should enlarge attention beyond the self and include voices or communities capable of lovingly saying no.
Books & mentions
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