By Ben

People say I look like I’m spiritual these days. It’s the long hair they say. So why do spiritual people tend to have long hair? I’ve always wondered myself. I’ve listed in this blog the top 5 reasons spiritual people have long hair.
Before my journey began I had short hair and was clean shaven, these days I do my best ‘Jesus’ impression on the daily. At least that’s what people say to me. Below is a photo taken of me at the end of 2019 with long hair. The other was taken in in 2013 on holiday is Australia. Crew cut, clean shaven and no spiritual idea at all. So is there a link?


Different Strokes
I grew up in a small town in the north west of England. It’s true to say that most (men at least) had short hair, this isn’t the case the world over though I know. If I would have grown up in the East I may well have had long hair from a younger age. The same goes if I would have been brought up in to a particular religion, some religions ask that you don’t cut your hair for example. For the purposes of this blog I’m using myself as the example and how spirituality effected my locks.
It felt right somehow, to grow my hair. It felt like I was doing something outside the norm (for me) and that my spiritual long hair had a specific meaning. Going outside of what I usually did and understood I should do seemed right.
I’ve listed the 5 top reasons I think people are drawn to grow their hair when spirituality hits:
“I now own several hair brushes”
Top 5 Reasons Spiritual People Have Long Hair
1. Rebellion
The rebellious DNA in us tells us to be able to separate ourselves from the corporate world we must grow our hair. Hairstyles change all the time, but in essence it is believed there is an energy to your hair, and a powerful one at that. Personally speaking this probably played some part in my growing my hair. Everyone I worked with in the corporate world at the time had short hair or a haircut that was in fashion at the time. I saw my self growing out of this way of life and as such growing my hair away from that ‘norm’ followed suit.
2. Religious Connections
Depending on whether or not your spirituality is linked to a religion there are many requirements as to why you might want, or need, to grow your hair. Many religions hold similar views on hair and the powers it holds. Sikhism holds Gods gift of hair very importantly for example. Islam often encourages beard hair growth. Whilst my spirituality was not born from religion there are certainly many influences that can be found across the world.
3. Ego (Spiritual Ego)
I will admit that there was a sense of ego about my hair growth. I wanted to stand out from what I was previously, I wanted to show myself I could be different. Lots of ‘I’s’ there you will notice. The ‘I’, the ‘me’, all ego based premises. Spirituality and long hair satisfied something in me that I thought I should be. It took time and meditation to look past this and I’m still not convinced it doesn’t play some part in it. I know that the way I look will never have any bearing on how I travel through my journey and yet I still want to keep my long hair. Recognising that my ego has influenced me here is the main lesson to learn. Read about Spiritual Ego here.
4. Culture
I mentioned earlier that if I had grown up somewhere else other than the North of England I may have had long hair at an earlier age. Cultural influences do have an impact on the way you look, including your hair. It can take time to even realise this and break away from it, when you’re ready to. Your peers, family, work colleagues and loved ones all make up the culture that you grow up in (and a million other things). On some small level we are all influenced by our culture regarding the way we look, including how long or short our hair is.
5. Spiritual Experiences Equal Spiritual Long Hair
If you have ever had a spiritual experience, maybe when meditating or using plant medicines (read), you might have received messages. I know I have. These messages sometimes come in the form of an actual voice, other times in the form of feelings I can’t quiet figure out. Either way, your path is your own and it will promote feelings within you about including about your hair.

Our hair fashions might be just a trend, but if we investigate, we may find that we have been depriving ourselves of one of the most valuable sources of energy for human vitality -Yogi
Bhajan

Spiritual Long Hair Summary
So that was the top 5 reasons spiritual people have long hair based on my experience. There will be other reasons and you will have your own ideas and thoughts on it, which is good! Part of spirituality is about questioning everything, including the things I write in this blog. I can see myself having long hair for a while now, reason number 3 (Ego) playing the biggest part I think. If you have long hair, are growing your hair or spiritually have your own reasons I’s love to hear. Put a comment in the comment box below!
“Oh, and remember, short or long hair, we are still… all one”
Realiser
Realiser was born from a dream to be in a realised state, a state of awaken. To be able to see the most obvious things having missed them for so many years. Subsequently I wanted to create something to serve as an example of how it could be. If only we might spend the time loving that we spend hating. Above all spending the time to be kind to others for no reason. You get the idea. I will travel around doing what I can and would love for you to join me. Follow my path here…