With social media glamorizing faith, healing, and inner guidance, these sacred practices have moved away from intention to commercial exploitation. This has made people debate whether the motive is monetization or whether it still remains guided by values and faith. Psychic and healer Sharmila Cirvante believes that the lines have blurred.
She said, “We are a country that eats, breathes, and lives spirituality. Whether cloaked as religious rituals or as healthy wellness practices, the guidance is always available freely and, in most cases, dished out wholeheartedly with pure intention. What has changed now is how openly spirituality is being sold, and this is what trivializes it.”
“Miracles are manufactured out of nowhere, big promises are confidently claimed, and for all of these, big money is charged. I’m not against anyone charging money; we should charge and charge well as we use our energy. The real question isn’t whether charging money is wrong. It’s whether ethics and honesty are compromised when money becomes the motive,” she added.
So, where should we draw the line? She said, “We should differentiate between guidance and guarantee. Between compassion and claims. The moment someone starts guaranteeing outcomes, I’d be a bit wary till I see results.”
She stressed that most people come to healers not for enlightenment but for relief, especially during difficult situations. She said, “All they’re looking for is respite from the problems that plague their daily life concerning their jobs, relationships, health, and money. Their life feels unstable. When someone comes in distressed, confused, or scared, they’re not thinking clearly. In that moment, a healer’s words carry a lot of weight.”
“Using that state to sell more remedies, more sessions, or urgent ‘fixes’ crosses a line. A healer should leave a person feeling calmer and clearer, not more dependent or frightened. Their fear is not something to monetize,” she added.
She also explained a few red flags clients should watch for. “First, being rushed into decisions, especially with a discounted offer. Second, if the healer poses as the only solution to your problem. Third, constant pressure to upgrade to more expensive solutions. And lastly, creating more fear about consequences,” she said.
Sharmila also advised people seeking healing to read up on the modality used and also check reviews of the practitioner. She said, “Being spiritual doesn’t mean switching your brain off. It’s okay to ask questions such as, ‘Does this have any negative effects?’ ‘What happens if this doesn’t work?’ ‘Will I feel better after this?’ Ask questions without fear, guilt, or the worry of being judged; you’re paying for a service, so it’s your right to get clear answers.”
She mentioned that the best way to know if a treatment has worked is to gauge how one feels after the session.
She went on to say that many practitioners avoid saying what their work can’t do and said, “Very few encourage medical or mental health support when needed. And few are honest about the outcomes. I know it’s very difficult to be transparent, especially when someone is turning to you for help,” she said.
“Transparency may not attract instant clients, but it builds long-term trust. Then there’s social media—while it offers visibility, it’s also creating competition and trivializing healing with its dramatic stories, instant healing, destiny-changing predictions, and overnight transformations. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s right. Consumers need to remember that reels are marketing, not proof,” she added.
She shared that the healers who will stand out in the future won’t be the loudest. “They’ll be the most honest. They’ll be upfront about expectations, give the client control, and not create dependency. In a space crowded with promises, integrity will become the real currency. Spiritual guidance is meant to help people think clearly, not cling desperately. The moment fear is used to sell hope, something sacred is lost,” Sharmila ended.
