The Biggest Conspiracy Theory is That There is No Conspiracy Theory
Pre-pandemic, I was living my dream. I had worked tirelessly to open and operate my own yoga studio, a vision that had been with me since I was a teenager attending yoga classes at NH Power Yoga and my local gym. I can still vividly recall a summer evening, driving to work with my windows down, the warm breeze filling my car, and Bob Marley playing as I soaked in the moment. I remember thinking, I could die today, and that would be okay. Not because I wished for death, but because I was experiencing a blissful contentment, a surface-level high that I didn’t realize was about to crack wide open.
Then came 2020. The pandemic forced me to close my studio, a decision that left me heartbroken. I felt like a failure, a loser. I was stuck in a victim mindset, wondering why life was happening to me rather than for me. The grief was overwhelming. But, as painful as it was, I now recognize it as one of the greatest gifts of my life. That experience set me on a path of deep self-discovery—one that I want to share here, because I know I am not alone.
When I closed my studio, I suddenly found myself at home, witnessing the world crumble around me. This kind of collapse—internal and external—is often what triggers spiritual awakenings. Near-death experiences, accidents, the loss of a loved one—these moments shake us to our core, forcing us to confront what we have ignored. In my solitude, I turned inward. I deepened my yoga practice. I taught myself to read tarot. I explored energy work, something I had been fascinated by since I was a teenager. I followed influencers like Lori Ladd whose messages seemed to align with what I was seeking. I was peeling back the layers of myself, uncovering truths that were both beautiful and deeply uncomfortable.
In retrospect, I probably should have been doing this work with the support of a therapist or a trained shaman. But at the time, it was the pandemic, and I was doing the best I could. Everything happens for a reason, right?
Without realizing it, my exploration of spirituality began blending with conspiracy theories. At first, it seemed harmless—just expanding my awareness, questioning mainstream narratives, opening my mind. But soon, I found myself immersed in a web of fear-driven ideas. I started believing that aliens were coming because of the pandemic, that underground networks of trafficked children were linked to global events in ways that made no logical sense. And yet, these theories felt compelling because they were built around partial truths.
One of the most eye-opening moments for me was discovering the podcast Conspirituality. It shook me to my core. It challenged me to re-examine the narratives I had been consuming, the influencers I had been following, and the fears that had been planted in my mind. I began to see how conspiracy theories take real issues—like human trafficking, which is undeniably a horrific reality—and weave them into a tapestry of misinformation. I remember donating to Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) after seeing a dramatic Facebook ad of their “rescue missions.” Later, I learned that much of their work was performative, and that the video I had seen was staged. I felt sick. I had been manipulated by my own desire to help.
This is why I am so passionate about speaking out against misinformation and conspiracy theories. It doesn’t just happen to the “gullible” or “uneducated.” It happens to good, well-intentioned people—people who care deeply, who want to make a difference, who are seeking truth and meaning in a chaotic world.
During the pandemic, I was caught between internal and external chaos, gripped by fear and drawn into an apocalyptic mindset. I see now how unhelpful and even harmful that was. I am deeply grateful that I found resources like Conspirituality that helped me develop critical thinking skills and recognize the ways in which my spiritual journey had been co-opted by fear-based narratives.
I share this because I want to encourage others to question—not just mainstream narratives, but also alternative ones. True spirituality is not about fear. It is not about division. It is about love, wisdom, and discernment.
If you find yourself deep in conspiracy theories, I invite you to ask yourself: Is this expanding my love and awareness, or is it feeding my fear? Is this leading me toward healing and connection, or is it isolating me from others?
We live in a time where misinformation spreads faster than truth, where fear is more profitable than love. But we also live in a time where we have access to incredible resources, communities, and practices that can ground us in clarity, compassion, and wisdom.
Let’s move forward together—not in fear, but in light. Let’s reclaim spirituality from fear-driven narratives and root it in love, justice, and truth.
What is a Conspiracy Theory?
A conspiracy theory is a belief that certain events or situations are secretly manipulated by powerful groups or individuals, often with nefarious intent. These theories frequently arise when people attempt to make sense of complex or unsettling circumstances, especially in politics, medicine, and global affairs. While some conspiracy theories have turned out to be true—such as government surveillance programs—many others are based on speculation, misinformation, or recycled narratives that resurface in different forms throughout history.
Cults and Conspiracy Theories: A Dangerous Combination
Conspiracy theories have often given rise to cults that thrive on secrecy, fear, and a sense of us-versus-them thinking. Some of the most well-known examples include:
Heaven’s Gate – This cult believed that Earth was about to be “recycled” and that salvation lay in escaping to an alien spacecraft trailing behind the Hale-Bopp comet. Members took their own lives in 1997, convinced that this was their path to transcendence.
The People's Temple (Jonestown) – Jim Jones convinced his followers that the government was after them, leading to the tragic mass suicide/murder of over 900 people in Guyana in 1978.
QAnon – A modern example of a conspiracy-driven movement, QAnon followers believe in an elaborate and baseless theory that a secret cabal of elites controls global events and that a reckoning is imminent.
These groups highlight the dangers of blindly accepting conspiracy theories without critical analysis. Fear-based narratives can lead to real-world harm, often isolating people from friends, family, and reality itself.
The Recycled Nature of Conspiracy Theories
One of the most fascinating aspects of conspiracy theories is how they repeat over time. The same core fears and ideas are repackaged for new generations:
Vaccine Conspiracies: Fear of vaccines isn’t new. In the 1800s, people resisted the smallpox vaccine, claiming it was a government control mechanism. Fast-forward to the COVID-19 pandemic, and similar fears arose, with claims about microchips, mass sterilization, or secret government agendas.
New World Order (NWO) Theories: The idea that a shadowy elite controls the world has been around for centuries. Whether it's the Freemasons, the Illuminati, or the World Economic Forum, the story remains the same—only the names change.
Doomsday Predictions: From the Y2K panic to the Mayan 2012 apocalypse prophecy, doomsday conspiracies continue to resurface, feeding on humanity’s fear of the unknown.
The repetition of these narratives should make us question why we fall for them over and over. If history has shown these theories to be unfounded time and time again, why do they keep coming back?
The Age of Information: Forming Your Own Opinions
We live in an era where information is more accessible than ever. Unlike in the past, when governments or powerful entities could more easily control the flow of information, we now have tools at our fingertips to investigate claims for ourselves. However, this also means there is more misinformation than ever.
A great strategy for cutting through the noise is to consume information from multiple perspectives:
Watch Content from Both Sides – If a political issue is controversial, watch coverage from a right-leaning source and a left-leaning one. This allows you to see how different narratives are spun.
Check Neutral Sources – Outlets like the BBC, Reuters, and the Associated Press often present a more balanced perspective, allowing you to discern the facts without heavy political bias.
Follow the Money – Ask yourself who benefits from pushing a particular theory. If a group is promoting fear or division, is there a financial or political motive behind it?
The Inevitable Nature of Conspiracy
At the end of the day, there will always be something to have a conspiracy over. Human nature makes us curious, skeptical, and at times, susceptible to misinformation. Instead of dismissing every theory outright or blindly accepting them, we should cultivate curiosity and critical thinking.
With the political landscape today, it's more important than ever to question narratives—but to do so responsibly. Ask yourself: Are you being manipulated by fear? Are you looking at multiple perspectives? Are you forming an opinion based on evidence rather than emotion?
The real conspiracy may not be that there are secret plots controlling the world, but rather that we are discouraged from thinking critically about the world around us. In an age of endless information, true wisdom comes from discernment, not blind belief.
