I have searched far and wide - but I haven’t found a single religion nor spiritual discipline that made pathetic behavior for it’s followers mandatory. Do you know one?! But people love being pathetic, doesn’t matter if they are new age incense burners or old school Catholics. They all go for it! You can see sparkling eyes and hear thundering voices during sales presentation as well as in churches and meditation centers. Being pathetic seems to work like an universal fudge to help us poor humans to make ourselves and our believes larger than life - whenever we need to feel bigger …

The show must go on! Why do we love pathos? Does it help us to be better believers or sinners?

Religious or spiritual practices mostly work with rules and rituals to help, educate and guide it’s followers to god/enlightenment. It doesn’t matter if you go the way of the Yogi, Buddha, Tantra or Catholic, you are expected to follow certain rules or better say ‘frame of mind’ to reach enlightenment. Since practice makes you perfect, this is always an ongoing process with no brakes and bonuses. Spirituality mostly means working with yourself, which can be pretty boring, annoying and most of all very personal.

But how do you know you are on the right track? Not everybody gets the treat of a burning bush or a booming voice from the sky. Do you feel happy if you are just a good Buddhist? Can you hear angels singing if God acknowledges your good deeds? How does it feel to be holy?

Now this a dangerous trap: since most spiritual practices are boring or hard work - and our egos love instant gratification - we go for great pathetic moments. Something that makes us feel better about being spiritual. We basically trick ourselves into feeling good or even holy - without ‘Gods’ approval.

Very nasty.

I am sure all the devils and demons agree that this is the right moment to seduce believers into false security and push them a bit further to indulge in into even more spiritual vanity.

Especially the human mob mentality is a great vehicle for pathetic temptations. People love shows, the bigger the better. The greater the show, the more powerful your god. And doesn’t it feel good to have the biggest cosmic buddy on the block? Or show off your God’s powers by building the biggest mega church, temple or mosque on this planet?

Of course pathos also helps when you practice your particular brand of spirituality at home. There is always a thin line between lighting a candle as a help for meditation or just to create a nicer atmosphere. And there is still the questions if lighting a candle really makes you a better person anyway. Tools, gizmos and gimmicks are a sure indicator for pathetic believers. The catchphrase is Kitsch-Religion.

Pathos is spiritual masturbation, a poor substitute for real insights and rewards from hard practice (yes, I don’t believe in instant gratification just for a nice and good person). Who or whatever you choose as your personal God or Heaven - they won’t deliver manna pills to your front door, just because you have subscribed to their point of view. In most spiritual paths the ‘good stuff’ comes from ridding yourself from ego barriers and connecting to the rest of the universe. Amen Dude!

A pathetic ritual or practice is as useless as no spirituality at all. It’s even more dangerous if you show and infect other people with your pathos. As every entertainer or stage magician can tell you, people love to be impressed and seduced. They will always go for big words, pathetic tears of joy and glorious promises instead of the simple ugly truth. The ministry of health warns: pathetic religious advertising is bad for your soul!

Let’s keep it close and personal. Being pathetic during your personal daily routine or rituals may help to bridge any emptiness or doubt you might have, but that’s not the real stuff. Pathos is a great smokescreen to make your own fears disappear … at least for some time. But isn’t that one of the most basic and essential challenges in life: to face your own fears? Your very own questions and doubts about life, love and the rest of the universe?

*repost 2003-12-01*