The character Narcissus from Greek mythology is the origin of the term narcissism: a fixation with oneself. This quality, in turn, contributes to the definition of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), a psychiatric condition marked by grandiosity, an excessive need for attention and admiration and an inability to empathize.

One only has to read Dr Twenge and Professor Campbell's book, 'The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in The Age of Entitlement', which so clearly brings light to the spread of narcissism in today's culture and its catastrophic effects.

Narcissism tends to play out intergenerationally, with narcissistic parents producing either narcissistic or co-dependent children in turn. While a self-confident parent, or good-enough parent, can allow a child their autonomous development, the narcissistic parent may instead use the child to promote their own image. Also included are genetic-inherited characteristics, such as certain personality traits.

Also important is that narcissism is a spectrum disorder, so think of it as a continuum ranging from low-level traits that we all have to some degree, to a full-blown personality disorder; the higher the level of traits, the more damage gets done to children.

So, in the context of now believing one has arrived, a classic spiritual narcissist trait is to act out the identity of the ‘special enlightened one’. Unfortunately, these individuals believe they are entitled, have feelings of superiority and long for admiration and attention. They enjoy manipulating others to boost their own ego and have no tolerance for questions or critical inquiry. If you question a covert narcissist by definition, they generally will resort to narcissistic rage, explosive or passive aggression or denial.

They consider your questions unfounded in the form of an attack and, in doing so, at times display an implacable rage.

An experienced therapist may admit that working with a narcissist is challenging. Working with a spiritual narcissist raises the stakes to a whole new level, especially if the therapist fails to identify a person's personality issues or symptoms.

A spiritual narcissist uses toxic spirituality as an attempt to manipulate, control and dominate others through fear. They have not an iota of intention to develop any emotional empathic intelligence.