Healing or Hustling? The Cost of Modern Spirituality

In the past few decades, the wellness industry has grown from a niche pursuit to a multi-billion dollar market, sprawling across yoga studios, meditation apps, retreats, and an ever-expanding list of wellness products.

Yet, as this industry has flourished, a troubling trend has emerged: wellness has increasingly become a commodity accessible primarily to those with high incomes. What was once a path to inner peace and healing has, for many, turned into an expensive lifestyle choice, a trend that seems out of step with the teachings of past spiritual masters who inspired these practices.

Spiritual guides like Alan Watts and Ram Dass were at the forefront of bringing Eastern philosophies to the West, introducing millions to meditation, mindfulness, and the search for deeper meaning. They had a unique approach: they gave away their teachings for free.

Watts’ lectures, often funded by universities and public radio, were freely accessible, and he made a modest living through book royalties and speaking engagements. Ram Dass, similarly, gave his time and teachings to anyone willing to listen, relying on small donations and independent income sources to support his lifestyle and philanthropic work.

These teachers understood the importance of making wisdom available to all, regardless of financial means. Their goal was simple: to share knowledge, alleviate suffering, and provide people with tools for self-exploration. They exemplified a kind of purity that is increasingly rare today, one that focused on serving others above all else.

Today, the wellness industry is largely driven by profit.

Many wellness practices come with hefty price tags, effectively creating a barrier that keeps lower-income individuals out of the picture. Expensive coaching programs and high-end wellness products are marketed as gateways to a healthier, happier life, making wellness a luxury rather than a fundamental human right.

In this environment, wellness has become another status symbol, an accessory for those who can afford it, rather than a source of healing for all.

The essence of wellness: self-discovery, mindfulness, and compassion – has been obscured by sleek marketing campaigns and Instagram influencers who offer “spiritual guidance” for a price. In an era where the pursuit of well-being is increasingly commodified, it begs the question: who are we really helping?

The commercialization of wellness not only limits access but also distracts from the industry’s purpose. Wellness isn’t meant to be a curated image or a collection of products. It’s a journey, an experience that should be accessible to anyone, whether they have thousands of dollars or nothing at all.

Perhaps most concerning is how modern wellness influencers prey on the vulnerable. They often use tactics like the Law of Attraction as bait, drawing in those struggling with love, finances, or personal hardship. While it’s true that we attract things that reflect our inner state, this concept is increasingly sold as a quick fix to life’s problems: a way to manifest wealth or romance for a fee.

In a world facing immense challenges, from wars to humanitarian crises, it feels disturbingly selfish to use so-called spiritual power for individual gain. Imagine if the energy spent on these personal manifestations was instead directed toward ending famine, stopping wars, or fostering global harmony.

It’s time to become more aware of who is truly committed to helping people and who is merely selling an image of healing.

Real healers don’t charge outlandish prices for their services.

True healing isn’t something that comes with a luxury price tag or an exclusive membership, it’s available to all, or it should be. We need to lift the veil from these so-called “spiritual influencers” and ask ourselves if they are here to serve others or simply to serve themselves.

If we can prioritize the well-being of all over profits, we may yet be able to restore wellness to its roots: as a compassionate, inclusive space where people from all walks of life can find the healing they seek. There’s a need to ask ourselves, as Watts and Ram Dass once did, whether we are truly helping people—or merely selling an illusion of help to those who can afford it.

Image created with AI