Spectrum of Spirit: A Digital Sanctuary for Spiritual Discourse and Community

The "Spectrum of Spirit" blog features insightful articles, essays, and reflections penned by the founder, Paul, and diverse guest contributors. Focusing on contemporary spirituality, the blog offers regular updates with weekly themes and seasonal reflections, fostering ongoing engagement and a deeper understanding of spiritual practices and trends.

Imagine If Reality Glitched and We All Kept Talking Anyway?

Category:

By

Solstice

/

9–13 minutes

read

This theme is ideal for this week. I have another project I am working on, writing a basketball narrative around the works I produce through Spectrum of Spirit. One of the avenues I am using to write the narrative glitched Monday afternoon, and I am unable to access the information I have been gathering over the past two months. I was devastated. I reached out to customer service to see how I could recover the information to no avail. However, I pride myself on my ability to adapt, my ability to be flexible and adjust to change. I still have plans to write this narrative, but now it’s got me thinking what if this happened in my personal experience. I imagine that one day I feel off the whole day, colors are negative, conversations are constant reminders of Deja Vu, and my schedule refuses to go according to plan. Similar to the data I was gathering, I imagine this new found experience of our world will give me the opportunity to pause, and reframe the breakdown of what I knew to be an invitation of what is to come.

I believe creation is born out of chaos. When things fail to make sense, artists find a way to connect the dots, when creativity feels like it is straying or stagnant, artists work to twist them together, mending the fracture in their imagination. I believe when we are concerned with what is normal, we miss the snags in our own life, we miss the setbacks holding us back from our goals, and we miss the surreal life giving glitches in our own life. If we’re not living in a simulation created by a higher power, I believe it’s best to live outside of the concept of normal or regular, to stop pretending we are like everyone else, and freely dance in the distortion life brings each and every day.

Glitched Faith

I enjoy the anonymous nature of Reddit. I believe it’s a dangerous arena. I believe being anonymous empowers people to express themselves in a way they wouldn’t if they had to speak to a person face to face. This allows some individuals to be quite vulnerable, opening to learning new things and sharing deep insights into their life. On the other hand, this allows some individuals to be very aggressive, no fear of consequence, and sometimes even disrespectful towards another’s identity. I have found a small community of people who enjoy engaging with my content, sharing their genuine thoughts about my work, whether it’s congratulatory or constructive, and I have had plenty of conversations with these people that build up my spirit. I am very grateful for the small community, their unexpected replies, bringing me unsimulated relief.

On the Highest Self Podcast, Sahara Rose and Rosie Acosta get together to discuss how to have long lasting friendships1. About 15 minutes into the podcast, Sahara recounts a time she was messaging a friend, sending long voice memos to update her on her life2. This friend would not engage with the voice memos, she wouldn’t send a voice memo back, she wouldn’t even reply to the voice memo through text, however she would continue to send memes and short videos3. At some point, the friend lets her know that when she receives a voice note that is more than two minutes long, she doesn’t listen and she doesn’t reply because she can’t handle that type of stimulation4. Sahara had to accept who she is and she made her peace with her5. Sahara continues, she will always be her besties, but their relationship flourishes when she is with her6. Sahara believes this is how most friendships are, however, Sahara continues saying the difference between Rosie and Sahara’s friendship is that it makes no difference where they are physically7. Later on, Rosie chimes in with some advice she would give people who are looking for close friends by first addressing how we went through a loneliness epidemic post COVID, changing a lot of relationships8. Rosie continues, stating that mental health was really taxed during COVID, however Rosie and Sahara still managed to hold each other up9. Rosie shares about the strength of her and Sahara’s friendship compared to her other friendships, falling apart due to political views or the absence of political views10.

Sahara and Rosie reflect over their eight year friendship, and how important each of them have been in each other’s lives. Though Sahara and Rosie each have had lots of friendships, none of them have lasted as long or been as influential in who they have become. Sahara and Rosie’s friendship exists despite their differences, even when one tells the other what they need to hear instead of what they want to hear. I believe friends have an ability to see and hear someone in a way that understands where the individual is coming from, but with a different perspective. I imagine this may be one of the oldest human rituals, the ability to see outside of one’s experience with a new perspective, bringing oneself to a new understanding. I believe this could be the first time we experience faith, believing what we experience is not all there is. That even in the glitches, even in the interruptions to our daily routine, and outside perspective, possibly through a close friend, can bring one to a new understanding, one they could believe with full faith.

Glitched Theatre

I always try to avoid discussing politics head on, usually for two reasons. First, because I do not feel well equipped to discuss subjects relating to policy, government, and regulation. Secondly, due to my lack of confidence in this field, I don’t want to create controversy based on a misunderstanding. Regardless, I am fascinated by the mythology surrounding political groups and movements. In this instance, I will be discussing MAGA, Make America Great Again, and MAHA, Make America Healthy Again. I have no opinions on either group, but I have been monitoring how MAGA’s ideology has been made itemized, monetized and customized to create their own brand with a prominent logo.

On the Culture Apothecary Podcast, Alex Clark and Calley Means, the leader of MAHA, discuss MAHA’s plans heading into year two of Donald Trump’s term, along with plenty of other subjects relating to Calley’s expertise11. Alex opens up the podcast stating if one cares about the future of health, the truth of chronic disease, or simply wanting to understand what MAHA is up to, she recommends not to skip this podcast12. Alex continues, Calley is one of the most popular guests she has had on the show, and she’s happy to have him back13. 20 minutes into the podcast, Alex asks Calley to explain why the MAHA movement is necessary14. Calley believes there are organizations that have interests in profiting off of American sickness, and Americans have co-opted every institution that Americans have been told to trust15. Calley continues, claiming the Pharmaceutical industry is the largest contributor to pharmaceutical ads, and points out how harmful it is that the news/media do not discuss how COVID could be related to metabolic health16. Calley reflects on some statistics about COVID: 16% of COVID deaths were American citizens when Americans are only 4% of the world’s population17.

Alex and Calley have a long and informative conversation about all the behind the scenes of the health department in America. The two discuss a lot more than I expect about COVID, and the controversy between how the pandemic was handled, the policies enforced, and who was at fault for the disaster. People switched from one side of the conversation to another, depending on the updates and posts shared from those who experienced COVID around the world. An individual may hold strongly to a stance on one side on one day, and may flip to the other side of the spectrum the next after coming to a different understanding. You may have known someone for a long time, but after the quarantine and isolation of COVID, the feeding of information and statistics of different ways to protect yourself from the deadly virus, the individual you once knew appears to be a whole new person, not their normal self, a glitch from what you once new. However, I believe Alex and Calley are trying to shed light on what you may see as the aftermath of the glitch, the primary catalyst of this shift is our glitched news and media, the flawed theatre performing to receive the profits of our pharmaceutical America.

Glitched Return

I’ve been working on this Spectrum of Spirit Platform for the past year. Though it does consume a lot of my time, and can sometimes be wearisome, I believe this is the most fulfilling work I have ever done. I took a month break away from posting blogs to give me some space to reassess my efforts, to evaluate what I wanted to do to expand this project, how to increase my audience, and how I wanted to get these goals done. Though I haven’t accomplished all I want to accomplish in this window, I have had ideas and upcoming projects that I would have never thought of without this break and the people who have come into my life. What I have in the works wasn’t my prediction, wasn’t what I visualized or manifested for myself, but my return has led to some glitches or bugs in the system or rhythm I have been trying to create for myself.

On the Artistically Married Podcast, the hosts Jake Akkerman and Brianne Steinburg, celebrate their one year anniversary of the show18. Brianne and Jake outline the episode, stating their going to reflect on their previous podcasts, and share what they have planned going forward19. They comment on how wonderful it has been planning and organizing people getting together and socializing20. However, the two share how much work it is to work around people’s schedules and to find times that work for their guests21. They continue, commenting this year has been a lot of work, adapting to guest’s availability and their weekly timeline22. Later on in the podcast, Brianne talks about how they’re not a person who does a lot of reflection, and feels that in business, one grows through trying things, testing them, and seeing if they work23. She continues, if what someone tries to do doesn’t work, they have to tweak it and then make it better, a big part of business gains24. Brianne shares they are more of a forward person, reflecting on the amazing journey so far and seeing their teams grow25. Jumping forward again, The two reflect on the opportunities they’ve had to sit down with people that are in the business or wellness fields, inspiring the couple and lighting them up to keep pushing forward26. The two hope to get more wellness episodes in the future, seeing a big opportunity to speak on topics like mindfulness, meditation, eating habits, exercising, and trying to get people away from their screens27.

It’s very fulfilling for me to hear about people reflecting on their success stories, and hearing Jake and Brianne did not change that sense of fulfillment. Hearing Brianne’s vision, of taking a chaotic dream and creating a real life dance studio with intentional and intricate choreography, gives me hope that the expression of Spectrum of Spirit can become something more one day. Jake and Brianne have taken their artistic projects, Brianne’s dance and Jake’s woodworking ,and shared them with their audience together through the power of podcasting, the power of sound. The colors used in their art, whether in a dance routine or in detailed design, the two add color and commentary to each other’s stories in a way that brings their audience into the event. Brianne and Jake confess that there have been some setbacks in their episode planning, glitches in their scheduling that interfere with the aesthetics of the themes they address. Regardless, the Artistically Married duo has returned, having a plan to have more wellness talks, expecting snafu’s to redirect them, inspiring them once again.

Glitched Action

Imagine your reality. Prepare for the next glitch. Talk through time. Keep your fire through flickers. Assess your fixed faiths. Inhabit your theatre. Return to what you hold sacred. Embrace the glitch. Embrace you. Embrace glitched action in a glitched you.

Bibliography

  1. Highest Self Podcast, “627: This Is How To Have Bestie Friendships That Pass The Test Of Time with Rosie Acosta,” podcast audio, November 4, 2025, accessed November 5, 2025, https://open.spotify.com/episode/1d0WHS5gCFqE38l11xl7Ny. ↩︎
  2. Highest Self Podcast, ↩︎
  3. Highest Self Podcast, ↩︎
  4. Highest Self Podcast, ↩︎
  5. Highest Self Podcast, ↩︎
  6. Highest Self Podcast, ↩︎
  7. Highest Self Podcast, ↩︎
  8. Highest Self Podcast, ↩︎
  9. Highest Self Podcast, ↩︎
  10. Highest Self Podcast, ↩︎
  11. Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, “Debunking MAHA Lies and Explaining Year 1 Trump Controversies I Calley Means,” podcast audio, November 4, 2025, accessed November 5, 2025, https://open.spotify.com/episode/77pnSEpOPOVBAekMs9MWp7. ↩︎
  12. Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, ↩︎
  13. Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, ↩︎
  14. Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, ↩︎
  15. Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, ↩︎
  16. Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, ↩︎
  17. Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, ↩︎
  18. Artistically Married, “52. OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW,” podcast audio, November 2, 2025, accessed November 6, 2025, https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ygrNUMhDYY1MXpN2MeRV0. ↩︎
  19. Artistically Married, ↩︎
  20. Artistically Married, ↩︎
  21. Artistically Married, ↩︎
  22. Artistically Married, ↩︎
  23. Artistically Married, ↩︎
  24. Artistically Married, ↩︎
  25. Artistically Married, ↩︎
  26. Artistically Married, ↩︎
  27. Artistically Married, ↩︎

Leave a comment