Disillusionment is a type of betrayal in its own right since we may have been duped into believing something is genuine.
The overpowering experience that the universe has been broken and that everything around us has taken on an ugly and disturbing tint; an all-encompassing impression that something priceless has been lost and that life will never be the same again.
When the rug is yanked out from under our feet by a traumatic event, spiritual disillusionment is common.
A typical situation is when a loved one is suddenly diagnosed with a terminal or incapacitating illness. Because of their prior unwavering confidence that prayer would be heard, the shock and disbelief experienced when death happens might dominate the mourning process, especially in a fiercely religious home.
Death is viewed as a personal rejection by God, rather than a tragic but inevitable rite of passage, and prayer is replaced with a liturgy of:
- How could God do this to me?
- Why shouldn't I despise God for doing this to me?
- Why shouldn't I despise the priest for deceiving me?
- Is there anything left to believe in?
- What will become of me?
- Where do I turn now?
If these inquiries go unanswered, the wounded soul loses touch with reality and falls into a pit of spiritual self-destruction. The disillusionment ‘proves' that there is no God out there, and the priest is barred from offering any kind of solace or counselling since he or she is considered as a tool of the deceit.
The betrayed soul is left to deal with its troubles on its own.
- Bodily/mental: The physical symptoms are awful enough, but the mental suffering is frequently far worse.
- Emotional: A source of comfort and support has been taken away/deleted.
- Psychological: As a result of the perceived rejection, self-confidence and self-esteem decrease. Spiritually, all that is left is a deep pit of sorrow.
As a result of both divinity and life's full rejection and betrayal of faith, dread, anger, and ultimate loss might arise. This is to be expected and overcome with faith developed by seeing the reality that remains in the future, far past the disillusion that denies and torments us for a brief period in eternity.
You may also want to read more about Spirituality and Healing here.
Be sure to check out my writings on Religion here.
