Breaking Free From Spiritual Legalism
A lot of spiritual seekers and people who have been members of religious organizations their whole lives know the crushing weight of spiritual legalism—the exhausting belief that we have to constantly strive, purify, and prove ourselves to be good enough for God, the universe, or our own goals for ourselves. This mindset traps people in a relentless cycle of self-scrutiny, where every mistake feels like a failure, and every moment of weakness brings guilt. We live on edge, afraid that if we don’t ‘perform’ well enough spiritually, we’ll be rejected, punished, or left behind (or all three).
But what if liberation or salvation isn’t about becoming perfect? What if it’s about realizing you were never meant to carry such a heavy burden in the first place?
Across different traditions— like Shin Buddhism, Dzogchen, Daoism, and Christian mysticism—there is a recurring message: True freedom doesn’t come from striving, but from surrendering. Not from self-improvement, but from self-acceptance. These paths don’t demand that we ‘earn’ our worth—they invite us to recognize it as already given.
Spiritual Legalism is Tyranny
Spiritual legalism turns faith into a never-ending self-help project. It tells people:
-If you just pray enough, meditate enough, do enough good deeds, then maybe—maybe—you’ll be worthy.
-Your flaws are failures; your humanity is a problem that needs to be fixed.
This mindset doesn’t lead to peace. It leads to chronic anxiety, exhaustion, and a deep-seated feeling of inadequacy. We become so fixated on ‘measuring up’ that we forget how to simply live. We can completely miss the beauty of the present moment because we’re too busy judging ourselves for not being better.
The Alternative: Liberation and/or Salvation Through Grace
The traditions I briefly talk about below offer a way out—not by lowering standards, but by revealing that what we seek is already here.
1. Shin Buddhism: Amida’s Unconditional Embrace
Shin Buddhism teaches tariki (Other-Power)—the idea that liberation comes not from our efforts, but from Amida Buddha’s boundless compassion.
Just as you are, you are embraced.
No need to purify yourself first, no need to prove your worth.
Freedom! You can stop straining. You are already held.
2. Dzogchen: Recognizing the Natural Perfection of Mind
Dzogchen points to rigpa—our innate awareness, already pure and complete as it is.
“Like the sky, your true nature remains untouched by passing storms of thought and emotion.”
No need to “fix” yourself—just rest in what is.
Freedom! You don’t have to achieve enlightenment; you only have to “remember” it.
3. Daoism: Flowing with Wu Wei and Ziran
Daoism teaches wu wei (effortless action, not forcing things) and ziran (spontaneous naturalness).
“The river doesn’t force its way, it simply flows.”
No need to wrestle life into submission, just move with it.
Freedom! You don’t have to “become” wise—just stop resisting what’s already wise within you.
4. Christian Mysticism: The Divine Indwelling
Mystics like Meister Eckhart and Julian of Norwich talked about “God’s presence within.”
You are not a sinner in the hands of an angry God, you are a “beloved child in the arms of grace.” (Though to be honest, with the teachings about God I grew up with, I personally cannot get past the “angry version” of God)
No need to beg for love, it’s already given.
Freedom! As St. Augustine said, “Love God, then do what you will.” When rooted in love, action flows from joy, not fear.
The Gift of Self-Acceptance
When we finally abandon oppressive spiritual legalism, something amazing happens!
We stop punishing ourselves for being human!
We start enjoying life instead of constantly monitoring our “progress.”
We have compassion for ourselves and others because we’re no longer trapped in judgment.
This isn’t laziness—it’s trust! Trust that;
You don’t have to “earn” your place in the universe.
You’re already whole, already good enough, already home.
It’s like a simple invitation… If you’re tired of struggling, consider this:
What if the deepest truth isn’t “You have to become better” but “You are already loved”?
What if the goal isn’t being perfect, but being present to what already is?
These traditions tell us that the door was never locked. You were always free to walk through!
Have you ever felt trapped by spiritual legalism? If so, I’d really like to hear from you. Please always feel free to comment. Thanks for reading!