Spiritual materialism refers to the tendency to use spiritual practices and beliefs to enhance one's ego or material success rather than achieving genuine spiritual growth. This concept suggests that individuals may adopt spiritual identities or rituals to gain social status, personal power, or material wealth, rather than seeking true enlightenment or inner peace. The term was popularized by the Buddhist teacher Chögyam Trungpa, who warned that the pursuit of spiritual experiences could become another form of attachment. Instead of fostering authentic connections with oneself and others, spiritual materialism can lead to superficiality and a focus on external validation rather than inner transformation.