Narcissism: A Spiritual Cancer (ENGLISH responses, with Nárcisz Coach) | Vaknin Talks

Back to top Bottom

Everyone is worshipper. It's a hyper, super, post-modern religion. And we are in the middle of the birth of this religion. And it is a religion that is as prevalent in China as it is in the United States and the United Kingdom, and in Israel and in Germany and in Hungary, everywhere you can find narcissists, everywhere you can find molecules of this new god, the narcissists, and everywhere you can find this relationship of private religion between the false self and the worshiper. Everywhere, it's spreading.

Why do we call a process which involves such spreading? Metastasis. Narcissism is metastasizing. It's a cancer. It's a spiritual cancer and it's metastasizing. And we are creating a religion that in the Middle Ages would have been called demonic, satanic religion in effect. That's their vocabulary.

I'm not using this vocabulary, but had we talked to someone from the Middle Ages and described this, he would have said, well, that's a satanic. But in modern terms, it's cancerous. It's a cancer, spiritual cancerthat is spreading. That's why narcissism is not good.

Back to top Bottom

If you enjoyed this article, you might like the following:

Narcissism: Global and Universal (ENGLISH responses, with Nárcisz Coach)

Narcissism is described as a universal phenomenon with identical characteristics across different cultures, making it a powerful and globalized "religion." It exhibits no local variations, allowing for consistent diagnosis and treatment regardless of geographical location. The concept of narcissism is likened to a cancerous entity that spreads like the internet, characterized by its monovalent and homogenous nature. It is considered a religion because it involves the worship of a false self that embodies attributes similar to those of a deity.

Posted on 1/20/2020, 2 minute read

Narcissistic Youth Sexlessness: Porn and Relationships in a Dying World

Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the decline in sexual activity and satisfaction, particularly among younger generations, attributing it to rising narcissism, inhibitions, distractions, and environmental factors. He notes that casual sex is less satisfying than relationship sex, and that women are avoiding bad sex. The consequences of this decline include a collapse in birth rates and a rise in single adults living without partners. Additionally, pornography is reducing the desire for real-life sex, and dating apps are inefficient.

Posted on 6/12/2020, 39 minute read

Narcissist: Private God, Missionary Religion, Global Faith

Professor Sam Vaknin argues that narcissism is a new religion that will overtake traditional religions in the future. He believes that narcissism is a spectrum, with healthy narcissism being necessary for personal growth and development. However, when narcissism remains infantile and does not mature, it becomes pathological. Vaknin also claims that the rise of social media and the internet has created a networked, post-modern religion of narcissism, where individuals create their own gods and worship themselves.

Posted on 9/20/2020, 23 minute read

How I Experience My Narcissism: Aware, Not Healed

Sam Vaknin discusses his experience with narcissism, how it has affected his life, and how it has become a part of his identity. He explains that narcissism is a personality disorder that defines the narcissist's waking moments and nocturnal dreams. Despite his self-awareness, Vaknin admits that he is powerless to change his narcissism. The narcissist experiences their life as a long, unpredictable, terrifying, and saddening nightmare.

Posted on 2/26/2021, 50 minute read

Can Narcissists Be Constructive, Positive, Productive?

Elon Musk's biography reveals a complex individual who self-identifies with autism spectrum disorder and exhibits traits of narcissistic personality disorder, characterized by grandiosity and a lack of empathy. Despite his accomplishments, Musk's vision and decision-making are often unrealistic and wasteful, leading to negative outcomes for himself and others. The notion that narcissism can be beneficial for society is challenged, as narcissists tend to misread social cues and prioritize self-enhancement over genuine concern for others. Ultimately, while narcissists may achieve temporary success, their lack of wisdom and empathy results in destructive patterns that harm both themselves and those around them.

Posted on 1/12/2025, 22 minute read

Mental Illness is Contagious (MEGA STUDY) (Virus links in DESCRIPTION)

Pathological narcissism can be considered contagious, similar to a virus, as recent research indicates that mental disorders may be socially transmitted within adolescent peer networks. A study involving over 700,000 individuals in Finland found that having classmates with mental disorders significantly increased the risk of developing similar issues later in life, particularly in the first year after exposure. The findings suggest that behaviors associated with mental illness can lead to imitation and emulation among peers, with the risk of diagnosis rising with the number of affected classmates. This research opens new avenues for understanding mental health contagion and potential treatment strategies, emphasizing the importance of peer influence in adolescent mental health.

Posted on 6/3/2024, 12 minute read

Male or Female Narcissist in Dating (17:41), Workplace (with Connor Ryan) (EXCERPT)

Narcissists are prevalent in various professions, particularly in corporate settings, where studies indicate they are overrepresented compared to the general population. The entertainment industry, while often associated with narcissism, lacks comprehensive studies, unlike the medical field, where certain specialties like surgery show higher rates of psychopathy. In relationships, narcissists impose a shared fantasy, idealizing their partners initially before devaluing them, which can lead to a cycle of trauma bonding. The rise of social media and changes in societal values have contributed to an increase in narcissistic behaviors, with victimhood movements often being co-opted by narcissists to exert control and demonstrate power.

Posted on 11/21/2023, 46 minute read

Think You Know Narcissists, Borderlines? Think Again! (With Ruan de Witt)

Narcissism can be understood as a complex of traits and behaviors, with a distinction between narcissistic style and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). The former is increasingly common as a coping mechanism in a self-centered society, while the latter involves severe disruptions in personality and functioning, often stemming from childhood trauma. The prevalence of NPD is now seen as roughly equal between men and women, with a concerning rise in narcissistic traits among women, often as a reaction to trauma. Relationships with narcissists can be toxic, characterized by phases such as love bombing, grooming, and shared fantasy, ultimately leading to complex trauma for the partner if they remain in the relationship without adjusting their expectations or reframing the situation.

Posted on 6/8/2021, 1 hour 3 minute read

Where Have All the Wo/Men Gone?

Professor Sam Vaknin argues that women have become increasingly narcissistic and psychopathic due to their newfound powers and liberation, leading to a collective pathology. This has resulted in a mass psychopathology that is causing terrifying numbers of suicide rates, depression, and anxiety. Vaknin suggests that we need to acknowledge the truth about casual sex and stop being politically correct to confront the issues bravely and courageously. He believes that we need to rewrite the sexual scripts and restore distinct, clear, and boundaried gender roles to save ourselves from the collapsing gender roles that brought the narcissism pandemic and now the borderline secondary psychopathy pandemic.

Posted on 5/15/2021, 34 minute read

Consumption as a Narcissistic Religion

Professor Sam Vaknin argues that narcissism is a reaction to an abusive or traumatizing environment, and that consumerism is a form of secular religion that has replaced classic, God-centered religion. He believes that consumerism is addictive and leads to a rat race that is nightmarish and unrealistic, ultimately leading to an overdose. The pursuit of money as the foundation of happiness in consumerism leads to a morally neutral world that prioritizes selfishness and egotism over empathy and altruism.

Posted on 12/18/2018, 35 minute read