Lead with Integrity

Spirituality and religion are powerful forces of transformation—which means that when they are led irresponsibly, they can do profound harm. Leading with integrity is vital for all spiritual innovators. Whether working inside or outside a tradition, or somewhere at the edge, finding mentors, peer support, and structures of loving accountability are crucial for success in the long-term. Indeed, many spiritual innovators learn that their own continued spiritual and ethical formation is vital in order to lead others safely and meaningfully. 

Spiritual innovators often run into questions about integrity when it comes to translating tradition, especially when adapting practices for new contexts or engaging lineages that have been historically repressed. For example, in Brazil, indigenous traditions and Afro-Brazilian religions such as Candomblé and Umbanda have long been suppressed by the state and dominant Christian institutions. But as this context has changed, there has been a surge of interest in plant medicine and pre-colonial ritual practices. Rather than outlawing them, municipal governments now support festivals like Iemanjá as a way to increase tourism, and Umbanda priests like Rodrigo Queiroz popularize their ritual leadership on digital media. This resurgence signals a blossoming of interest in spiritual practice but also challenges traditional structures of lineage, authority, and accountability.