August 30, 2023
Chapter 7
The Parrot
Parrots are known for their impressive ability to mimic sounds and human speech. Teaching a parrot to count from one to nine is a fascinating example of their mimicry skills. When asked to count, a trained parrot will recite the numbers in order, as it has been trained to associate this behavior with a reward. However, if asked to perform a task that requires an understanding of the numbers, such as addition the parrot will likely recite the numbers in order again without understanding the question. This example serves as a metaphor for individuals rooted in their ego, seeking validation and social rewards through the appearance of spirituality and exuding “love and light”. This chapter aims to provide an analysis of the phenomenon of parroting and mimicry in the context of ego and superficial spirituality. Being able to differentiate between genuine and superficial spirituality is crucial for one’s personal development and mental well-being.
Mimicry and Parroting
Mimicry is a biological phenomenon where one organism, the mimic, simulates signals of another organism, the model, to gain some form of advantage. This advantage could range from evading predators, as seen in certain species of butterflies and insects, to attracting a mate, as observed in some birds and mammals. Parroting, on the other hand is a specific form of mimicry involving the replication of sounds or speech without any comprehension of the meaning behind those sounds.
Parrots are renowned for their remarkable ability to mimic sounds, including human speech. For instance, a parrot can be trained to count from one to nine and will recite the numbers in order when prompted with a cue such as “Can you count for me?” This is because the parrot has learned to associate this specific sequence of sounds with a reward, usually a treat. However, the parrot’s mimicry does not equate to understanding. If asked to perform a task requiring numerical understanding, such as adding five and seven, the parrot would likely recite the numbers from one to nine again, as it does not comprehend the concept of addition or the numerical values of the numbers. It merely knows that producing these sounds results in a reward.
This behavior of parrots serves as a compelling analogy for individuals deeply entrenched in their ego, seeking validation and social rewards by feigning spirituality and radiating superficial “love and light.” On the surface, much like the parrot, these individuals may seem spiritual and appear to understand the concept of love due to their adeptness at mimicry and parroting. They may effortlessly recite spiritual jargon, expressing sentiments about love, its nature and what it is and isn’t. However, a deeper inspection of their practices often reveals a fundamental lack of understanding as evidenced by subtle mistakes, omissions or character flaws that a trained eye can discern.
This superficial understanding is akin to a jeweler’s ability to distinguish real diamonds from synthetic ones. To the untrained eye, both may appear identical, but a professional jeweler familiar with the intricacies of diamonds can identify the flaws in a synthetic diamond under close inspection. Similarly, those well-versed in spirituality can detect the incongruities in the actions and words of those merely parroting spiritual concepts without a genuine understanding or connection to a higher level of consciousness.
In the age of social media, platforms like Instagram have become hotbeds for the exhibition of ego and superficial spirituality. For example an individual may post a spiritual phrase such as “I am intentional with everything I do and do not do, creating magic via expressions of spirit,” yet repeatedly make decisions rooted in their ego, keep secrets, break promises, emotionally withdraw from their intimate relationships due to unhealed past traumas, meanwhile behind the public façade there may be a close friend or partner grieving from their neglect and lack of emotional connection. Such behavior indicates a disconnect between their public persona and their private actions revealing a lack of genuine commitment to the principles they claim to uphold.
Similarly, an individual may post about being thankful for the beauty of nature while simultaneously flaunting material possessions, revealing a focus on external validation rather than genuine gratitude. Or, they may respond to constructive criticism with passive-aggressive posts about judgment and love, indicating an inability to reflect on their actions, hold themselves accountable and grow past their ego. Instead of acknowledging their flaws and making a conscious effort to improve they may resort to gaslighting and passive-aggressive behavior, both of which are rooted in ego.
Similarly, another post expressing gratitude for a sunset while simultaneously flaunting a material possession, such as a high-quality catsuit reveals an underlying egocentricity. When called out on their egocentric ways these individuals may resort to passive-aggressive behavior, expressing sentiments like “Less judgement, more love. When you aren’t so full of shit, there’s more space for love to flow freely,” which is a clear indication of their inability to self-reflect, take accountability and recognize the constructive criticism from loved ones who genuinely wish for their growth and evolution.
A comprehensive analysis of their social media profiles often reveals a pattern of posts showcasing themselves in attractive outfits, seeking external validation for their appearance from superficial connections. Interspersed with these posts are occasional ‘spiritual’ ones featuring images of nature or spiritual quotes, which also attract praise and validation from their followers. This behavior starkly contrasts with that of a true bodhisattva who would not seek external validation or attention and may not even have a social media presence. If they do, their profile would likely feature anything but themselves as they are not rooted in their ego.
Parroting, in the context of ego and superficial spirituality, underscores the critical importance of genuine self-awareness and commitment to personal growth. Mimicking spiritual language and behaviors without a profound understanding or genuine commitment to spiritual principles often leads to a disconnect between one’s words and actions exposing underlying character flaws and a lack of true spiritual growth. Authentic spirituality involves a deep connection to a higher level of consciousness, self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth and development.
Ego and Superficial Spirituality
Ego refers to a state of mind dominated by the ego which seeks external validation, social rewards and self-affirmation. Superficial spirituality on the other hand involves adopting the language, behaviors and practices associated with spirituality without a deep understanding or genuine commitment to spiritual growth. Individuals rooted in ego may display superficial spirituality by mimicking spiritual language, practices and behaviors to gain social validation, attention and rewards. However, their actions reveal a lack of genuine understanding and connection to a higher level of consciousness.
This lack of genuine connection becomes apparent when these individuals face situations that require a deep understanding of the principles they claim to espouse. Much like the parrot that can mimic counting numbers but cannot understand or perform arithmetic, these individuals can mimic spiritual language and behaviors but fail to exhibit the underlying principles in their actions, this lack of understanding is evident in the incongruence between their words and actions. From a higher perspective the errors and omissions in their practices and character flaws become apparent under close inspection.
Individuals rooted in ego and superficial spirituality are not connected on a level of consciousness that would allow them to genuinely understand and practice the principles they claim to uphold and their actions reveal a lack of genuine understanding and a focus on external validation and rewards rather than genuine spiritual growth. Just like the parrot that can mimic sounds but does not understand their meaning, these individuals mimic the language and behaviors associated with spirituality but fail to exhibit a genuine understanding or commitment to spiritual growth.
In the modern age, social media platforms like Instagram have become fertile grounds for the cultivation of ego and superficial spirituality. Individuals, rooted in their ego, may curate their online presence to appear enlightened, loving and spiritually advanced. However, a deeper examination often reveals that their proclaimed spirituality is merely a façade, a veneer thinly veiling their unhealed wounds, unmet needs and unresolved issues.
The analogy of the parrot highlights the superficiality and lack of understanding that characterizes the spirituality of these individuals. Just as a parrot can mimic the sounds of numbers without understanding their meaning or the principles of arithmetic, these individuals may parrot spiritual concepts, jargon and practices without a deep understanding or embodiment of the principles. Their spirituality is purely performative, a role they play to receive validation, attention and social rewards, rather than a path of genuine self-discovery, growth and transformation.
The incongruence between their public persona and private actions is a hallmark of superficial spirituality where they publicly embrace values of love, compassion and mindfulness while privately engaging in behaviors that are neglectful, manipulative, controlling, egocentric and emotionally withdrawn where declarations of intentionality, gratitude and spiritual awareness are frequently contradicted by their actions revealing a lack of self-awareness and a disconnection from their true selves.
Their social media profiles often reveal a trend of pursuing external validation vividly illustrated through the continual posting of flattering photos which routinely garner showers of praise and admiration from their followers. This torrent of superficial acclaim serves only to momentarily affirm and bolster their self-regard, a cycle that unfortunately fosters dependence on external sources for self-esteem leaving them vulnerable to oscillations in self-perception and devoid of genuine self-worth.
Confronted with any discrepancies in this facade their reactions may range from defensiveness and withdrawal to passive-aggressiveness demonstrating a clear difficulty in engaging in self-reflection or assuming responsibility for their actions. Rather than embracing constructive criticism as a gateway to personal growth and deeper self-understanding they view it as an assault on their constructed identity.
This defensive posture potentially leads to manipulative behaviors such as gaslighting or shifting blame onto others further solidifying their entrenchment in a cycle of pride and self-preservation. They become unable to break away from this cycle, missing the opportunity for genuine self-improvement and a richer understanding of their true selves as they remain shackled to a reactive pattern grounded in protection of their self-image rather than authentic personal growth. It is a challenging cycle to break requiring a willingness to delve deeply into one’s own behavior and motivations and to develop a stronger, more grounded sense of self that is not reliant on external validation.
Ultimately, the spirituality of these individuals is rooted in their ego rather than a genuine connection to a higher level, it’s superficial, performative and lacks depth and authenticity. Their inability to self-reflect, take accountability and heal their past traumas prevents them from accessing a deeper level of awareness and understanding. Unless and until they are willing to confront and heal their wounds their spirituality and love they claim to express and embody will remain superficial and their actions will continue to be incongruent with the principles they claim to uphold.
The phenomenon of parroting and mimicry in the context of ego and superficial spirituality highlight the importance of genuine self-awareness and commitment to personal growth, mimicking spiritual language and behaviors without a deep understanding or genuine commitment to spiritual principles leads to a disconnect between one’s words and actions revealing underlying character flaws and a lack of true spiritual growth. Ultimately, true spirituality involves a deep connection to a higher level of consciousness, self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth and development.