A Unique Blend of Beliefs

A concerning trend is emerging: the blending of self-help practices and political conspiracy theories. This phenomenon, termed “conspirituality,” isn’t a formally organized movement, but rather a convergence of individuals drawn to both personal well-being and the search for hidden truths.

Those involved share a common desire to identify patterns and believe they can wake up to uncover concealed realities through alternative methods.

From Yoga Studios to Extremist Ideologies

The roots of this trend can be traced back to the world of yoga and wellness, where a contamination by conspiracy theories and extreme right-wing ideologies has been observed. This isn’t to say that yoga itself is inherently linked to these beliefs, but rather that the culture surrounding it has become susceptible.

This confluence is characterized by explanations focused on individual merit and achievement, positioning the body as the center of agency rather than social relations.

Vulnerability and Appeal

Certain individuals appear more susceptible to conspiritual narratives. These include those with pre-existing apocalyptic spiritual beliefs, as well as those experiencing personal hardships such as chronic illness, divorce, or loss.

attracts right-wing evangelical Christians because they already have an apocalyptic spirituality and believe in healing by faith. But I would place the main responsibility for the emergence of conspirituality in the mainstream in liberals and progressives.

Conspirituality offers a compelling explanation for complex problems without necessarily requiring action, making it particularly appealing to those feeling overwhelmed or powerless.

Recognizing Patterns, But Offering Questionable Solutions

A key characteristic of conspiritual thinking is the ability to correctly identify certain issues, but then attribute them to far-fetched explanations. The Epstein case serves as a prime example.

The narrative structure according to which there is a network of pedophile oligarchs who control all aspects of society is not false in itself. For me the question is whether this is a material and foreseeable consequence of the excesses of capitalism or a sign of a divine war on Earth.

The belief that everything happens according to a pre-determined plan is also central to this worldview.

There is no planned economy. It is anarchic in terms of production. Nobody decides what we want or don’t want, what we need or don’t need.

The Allure of Individualism and Scapegoating

The appeal of far-right ideas within the wellness world stems from a focus on individual achievement and bodily autonomy. This often leads to a rejection of community-based solutions and a tendency to identify scapegoats for societal problems.

If there is also the temptation to look for scapegoats—Jews, trans activists, Antifa, Black Lives Matter— and point out a group responsible for social chaos, the fascist response is seductive: eliminate them, expel them.

Historical Roots: Yoga and Fascism

The connection between yoga and fascist ideologies has surprising historical roots, dating back to the 1920s in India. Proto-nationalists adopted physical culture practices, incorporating elements of yoga to create a model for the emerging state. This attracted interest from German figures like Heinrich Himmler, who believed yoga could cultivate supersoldiers.

Today, this manifests in the support of Hindu nationalism in India and sublimated fascist echoes in Western wellness communities, including gender essentialism and notions of bodily purity.

The Dangers to Public Health

Conspirituality poses a significant threat to public health, extending beyond vaccine hesitancy. The spread of pseudoscientific cures and distrust in established medical institutions can have serious consequences.

There is a cultural inertia of three decades that dates back to fraudulent work of Andrew Wakefield who in the 1990s linked the MMR vaccine to autism with false data.

The resurgence of diseases like measles and declining contributions to organizations like the WHO are direct consequences of this trend.

Combating Conspirituality

Addressing conspirituality requires more than just debunking misinformation. It necessitates addressing the underlying material conditions that offer rise to it – late-stage capitalism, inadequate healthcare, and social isolation.

No amount of good vaccine science can neutralize anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. And now we don’t know what the world will look like because of it. I don’t like to close with a somber tone, but the conclusion is clear: there is no answer to conspirituality that does not involve changing the material conditions in which it arises.