Disclaimer: While I am fully aware that there are countless individuals out there who resonate with me on this topic, please keep in mind that I do not currently have people in my personal life who are on the same frequency as me, who are equally yoked with me on a deep soul level, or who are psychospiritually awakened in their own individuation. I also do not currently live in an environment that is supportive of this level of ideological balance (or genuine psychospiritually healthy community dynamics in general) and have actually been targeted in efforts of instrumental group aggression by the community surrounding me. Unfortunately, these efforts happened all because of the light I naturally shine as a person who values authentic growth, balance, integrity, wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. But despite these specific challenges and other adversities that I’ve faced over the years, I choose to remain committed to my own journey of personal integrity, expansion, and authenticity. So, keep in mind that this reflection speaks to my own individual evolution and growth process out of polarized political consciousness, and that it is shaped by my own experiences in navigating these dynamics independently outside of the polarized mindsets and group influences that surround me.

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After learning and growing from some experiences during the 2020 election and the years after, I gained the wisdom, clarity, and knowledge to prioritize my own growth over political compliance. I also learned that to maintain my own psychological wholeness and spiritual health, setting boundaries with people who are deeply polarized into either conservativism or progressivism is not only necessary, it is essential for having a sound mind and preserving my authentic sense of self.

To provide a little backstory, 2020 was really the first time I ever got into the political realm, and to be honest, despite my own polarization and then my subsequent evolution out of it (after experiencing the karmic consequences of being politically polarized), I now just look at those who are caught up in the midst of their own political polarization as people who are extremely unconscious, deeply unhealed, psychologically imbalanced, and trapped in cycles that keep them disconnected from a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

When I come across people who are politically polarized nowadays, it is like looking back on a past version of myself and seeing the cringe of the state of consciousness that I used to embody. I’m also pretty sure that there were people who looked at me in the same manner that I look at people who are polarized now. So, I know that I can’t say too much about people who are politically polarized except that it’s a karmic experience a lot of us go through and it’s just another step in our journey towards the continued evolution of our soul that comes with its own life lessons (if we choose to learn and grow from those experiences that is). But once I was on the other side and into the light of my own liberation from polarized conservative and progressive paradigms, looking at generations that are older than me, it’s sad to see that a lot of people have gotten stuck in their own political polarization and that they haven’t truly psychologically or spiritually progressed out of that immature, primitive state of consciousness.

I mean, I know it took me until my 30’s to start healing from having a divided mind and to start becoming a psychologically whole & balanced individual (or to even just start mentally, emotionally, and spiritually elevating in life in general), but it just seems like a waste of life to be in your older ages having never truly experienced psychological or spiritual elevation out of polarized political consciousness. And it makes me very lucky and blessed to be on this journey that I’m on, because they are showing me what it looks like to not ever have been truly committed to growth, healing, and self-discovery, where seeing them motivates me to stay dedicated to my own path of evolution out of polarized political consciousness. So, the example they have set in their own lives is a reminder for me to never take this process for granted, to keep pushing deeper in my own journey of elevation, and to cherish every step I take toward becoming a more politically balanced, individuated, authentic person.

Before continuing on with this topic, keep in mind that I am allowed to have my own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about things and that I am allowed to talk about things even if I used to be politically polarized or even still have work to do in certain areas that I may be unconsciously operating from my shadow in. With that said, I am allowed to bring forth what is within me, with my own thoughts, judgments, criticisms, and cares, and to also learn and grow from the states of being that I am in, as we all have the ability to do so if we are taking our personal growth journeys seriously. But sadly, the truth is that many people in this world remain trapped in underdeveloped states of consciousness their entire lives, all because they don’t even acknowledge their own potential for growth or that they even have a shadow or unconscious side to them. So, at least I am cognizant of my own growth process now, aware of the areas my psychospiritual development stems from, and am open to continuously evolving throughout the rest of life, rather than pretending that I’ve arrived at some flawless version of myself or that there is nothing I ever need to work on.

Moving along – When it comes to having authentic psychological and spiritual health, recognizing the value in multiple perspectives and also understanding that no one ideology holds all the answers, is key for achieving a balanced state of mind and for our own soulful development. Because of this approach, where we remain open yet discerning, it allows us to incorporate insights from various viewpoints all without being confined to a single, limiting, polarized political worldview. That’s why setting boundaries with those who are polarized at either end of the political spectrum (while remaining hopeful that they will eventually broaden their perspectives too) allows us to maintain an open, balanced perspective, where we can extract useful insights and sound wisdom from many sources, all without feeling compelled to fully adopt any rigid position like the Pharisees of old. Doing this helps to keep us grounded in our own discernment and sense of truth rather than swaying under the influence of polarized views, where both extremes of conservativism and progressivism can become so dogmatic, that they actually obscure the reality of higher ways of thinking and being that lie beyond their labels and overly rigid belief systems.

To be truly emotionally, mentally, and spiritually liberated in our current lifetime, psychological wholeness and spiritual health, beyond political polarization, requires the freedom to explore different viewpoints, the freedom to question established beliefs, and the freedom to grow in ways that feel authentic to us outside of rigid political paradigms, where unfortunately, being around highly polarized individuals and groups can limit this freedom. To expand on this, when we are around people who are entrenched in extreme ideological positions, they may try to pressure us to conform to their own stagnation of political consciousness, whether overtly or subtly, and they can often make us feel guilty or even ashamed for thinking differently if we lack the proper boundaries. And if we lack the proper boundaries, this pressure can stifle our own psychological and spiritual development, where we become discouraged from exploring nuanced perspectives, and it can basically hinder our ability to embrace a more expansive, liberated political identity, that is independent of political labels or rigid ideological expectations. Therefore, setting boundaries with individuals and communities that are politically polarized affirms our right to think for ourselves, to explore, question and discern the vast expanse of ideas and beliefs available to us, and to expand beyond the rigid ideological frameworks that society tries to make us believe are the only valid perspectives.

To add to this, when groups or individuals are heavily polarized in their political beliefs, they often seek validation for their beliefs by creating toxic environments around them where dissenting or differing perspectives are unwelcome and even met with ostracism, exclusion, scapegoating, and group hostility and aggression. Consequently, with these unhealthy dynamics in mind, having to deal with these individuals and groups can be emotionally, mentally, and spiritually draining, as they keep us in a defensive posture where we constantly feel the need to justify our existence and the thoughts and values that we have which all exist beyond their rigid, polarized political worldviews. And as previously mentioned, this pressure to defend ourselves against politically polarized people and environments can actually limit our own potential for psychological & spiritual development, where alongside that outcome, it can also perpetuate a climate of tension and suppression (where we’re continually trying to manage the friction and resistance from those who are unwilling to consider or to even understand perspectives outside of their chosen ideological paradigm). For these reasons alone, when we choose to set boundaries with political energies that are polarized, which aren’t able to hold nuance, balance, flexibility, or a willingness to engage with diverse perspectives, we can protect our own energy and ensure that we’re not continuously investing in communities, relationships, or interactions with people that offer little but frustration and exhaustion.

What’s more, politically polarized individuals and communities often mistake conformity and complete ideological alignment for genuine unity and personal and collective progress, as they believe that strict adherence to their specific set of rigid ideological beliefs equates to moral or spiritual advancement. But unbeknownst to them, or perhaps willfully ignored for reasons directly related to maintaining control and preserving group identity, this illusion of unity and progress can suppress the process of authentic psychospiritual development, as members or potential newcomers are pressured to adopt a narrow set of views within the context of a polarized belief system rather than encouraged to explore diverse ideological perspectives with wisdom and discernment. So, when we take all of this into account, within these rigid ideological atmospheres, psychological and spiritual growth is individually and collectively stunted, as people are expected to sacrifice their own faculties of thought, which includes their own sense of introspection, unique insights, and intuition, all in favor of maintaining group conformity and sense of belonging that is deeply superficial and shallow at best.

In contrast to rigid or polarized ideological environments, regarding healthy ideological environments, authentic unity among people and the potential for personal and collective progress, instead emerges from atmospheres that encourage open-minded exploration beyond the confines of any single ideology. In such healthy environments, there is genuine support for real psychospiritual development, where personal and collective evolution is not measured by conformity to a strict set of beliefs, but by each person’s capacity to think independently, to reflect deeply, and to grow authentically in alignment with their own individuation and psychospiritual advancement journey (beyond rigid ideological boundaries and divisive labels). And in conjunction with this, this type of environment also nurtures a community where each individual’s growth contributes to a richer, more balanced collective that is rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to personal integrity and authenticity—qualities that are often lacking in overly rigid, Pharisaic, or polarized atmospheres, where conformity is prioritized over true understanding and personal growth is sacrificed for adherence to a narrow worldview.

Additionally, in these healthy ideological environments, individuals feel safe enough to express their unique perspectives without fear of retaliation, group hostility, or rejection, where each person is allowed to contribute meaningfully to the collective wisdom of the group. On top of that, these ideologically liberated spaces encourage continuous learning throughout life and a willingness to understand one another’s journeys, where as a matter of fact, these dynamics create a communal foundation for true unity and understanding among people, that is grounded in authentic inclusivity rather than ideological conformity. Hence, the shared goal within genuinely healthy ideological environments is not conformity to any particular belief system (especially to the ones that are polarized), but instead, the goal is a collective elevation through mutual respect, growth, and an appreciation for the rich, varied experiences of each person in the community, where space is created for true progress and an actual harmonious coexistence. And to further highlight the benefits, within these supportive and open communities, personal and collective growth beyond ideological polarization is celebrated, rather than stifled by rigid adherence to a single ideological belief system.

Now, actually putting these things into practice is a whole other story, because creating and maintaining these healthy environments actually requires a collective commitment to self-awareness, a discerning and healthy sense of open-mindedness, a willingness to grow, and patience from everyone involved. It also means collectively letting go of the need to “be right” (even though that can be hard at times) and to also embrace a collective mindset of curiosity and humility. Alongside that, it demands a willingness to set aside our egos in order to recognize that every person’s journey holds valuable insights that can enrich the collective’s wisdom. Nevertheless though, in a world deeply divided by ideological extremes, getting everyone on board and cultivating such spaces can be challenging if not damn near impossible in certain environments. But if there were enough people to get on board and they were to start making efforts towards actualizing these sorts of evolved environments, they would offer a pathway toward genuine connection, understanding, and a shared experience of psychospiritual growth among people. However, at least for myself, until I am in the midst of such people who want that too or just until I’m in an environment that is liberated from political polarization in general, I will be standing strong in my own integrity and healthy sense of boundaries, protecting my peace from those who aren’t yet ready to be equally yoked with me.

To bring everything to a close, apart from everything I’ve presented above and in acknowledging that there is definitely more for me to explore when it comes to this subject of polarized political frameworks and environments, I recognize that these reflections only scratch the surface, as the depth and complexity of navigating these issues—and the subsequent path to fostering truly inclusive, healthily open-minded environments—are ongoing topics with layers of insight and experience that has yet to unfold for me. But what I have learned so far through my own venture out of political polarization (and into a balanced, internally evolved state), is that each step forward in my own individuated growth process—through boundaries, self-awareness, and a commitment to honoring my personal sense of integrity and truth—has only strengthened my resilience and deepened my understanding of myself in the face of ideologically polarized influences. With all of this in mind, ultimately, my hope is that others, too, will find value in embracing their own path to ideological liberation and their own individuation outside of rigid political paradigms (which can limit their personal growth & squash any hope for authentic unity and genuine understanding among people) and that we can all work towards building a more inclusive and compassionate society beyond the constraints of politically polarized thinking.

So, thank you for taking the time to partake in this reflection and I hope that it has helped in some way, shape, or form. I’ll be seeing you on the next one.