I’m such a sucker for wellness products. I especially love the Goop newsletters, where very elegant women run through their daily detox regimes and skincare rituals. Their lives look so clean and serene. I want that. I make a very good income, considering my humble roots, but I’m not at the “500-dollar moisturizer” level. I once spent money on “cleansing drops” for my morning lemon water that turned it bright green. I swore that I was renewed. When I looked closer at the ingredients, I realized I could make my own for pennies.
Did I make my own? No, of course not. But I didn’t keep buying the drops either.
One day I was reading Goop and came upon an interview with a very successful wellness influencer whose skincare routine alone probably cost (I am not exaggerating) more than my rent every month. There were many photos of her in her minimalist, clearly expensive home. I swooned. Near the end of the article, it mentioned her husband, whose name I recognized instantly. He is a famous meditation teacher, author, and J-Lo/Ben Affleck wedding officiant. I was floored. Wait… Jay Chetty lived in THIS house? He was THIS rich? I needed to do some investigating.
All this time, I thought Jay Chetty had been a real-deal monk. Turns out he did live in an ashram with monks, but he wasn’t a monk-monk. He was a business student from a well-off family. He was an attractive management consultant who made meditation YouTube videos that happened to cross the desk of powerful people in media. I do not fault his drive, but it threw me off balance. I enjoyed his guided meditations via the Calm app. They weren’t my favorite, but they were still in pretty regular rotation. Chetty is, by all accounts, a multi-millionaire. He is an entrepreneur without a license to provide therapy who has now turned his attention to helping people find and keep loving relationships. I wonder if one of the tips in his new book is to support your partner’s thousand-dollar skin care regimen.
I’m probably being unkind. I’m sure the Chettys do a ton of good with that money and truly do believe they are adding to the world. Soon after I went down the Chetty family black hole, my Calm app came up for annual renewal. I sat on the decision for a while. I love meditation, I do it regularly. I have taken courses in breathwork and visualization. I believe meditation is a powerful tool to control your body and mind and connect with God. I’m not here saying, “The Calm app is the work of the DEVIL”. I’m not going to burn my iPhone.
BUT… did I need to pay for this app when the answers I need anytime are free and right in front of me?
I could study the bible all day for the next 100 years and never stop learning something new. There are wonderful mini-devotional podcasts for every type of Christian all over Spotify. My breath and my imagination are mine to use whenever I need them. Did I need to pad the pockets of someone who makes piles of money off of the world’s search for meaning, truth, and peace? People out there are lost and lonely, and folks like Chetty are more than happy to help them find their way… for $12.99 a month.
I canceled my subscription. There are things I miss—the really solid work playlists with soundscapes from all over the world or the Idris Elba bedtime stories. But the association with Chetty makes me feel a bit queasy about spending money on it. I’m sure there are other areas in my life I’m turning to false teachers, so I’m praying that God makes that obvious to me. Preferably before it’s time to renew another subscription.
Yes this resonates deeply with me! Reminded me of a song we sing at church:
“And I will build my life upon your love, it is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in you alone
And I will not be shaken
And I will build my life upon your love, it is a firm foundation…”
The rest is smoke and mirror.