"THE Only Way Is Essex is just another sign of the self-loathing, image-obsessed society in west Essex."
These are the thoughts of mum of two Jacqui Cullen, who wants to open a spiritual centre in Brentwood so that people can "focus more on the internal rather than the external".
She told the Gazette: "We are not a cult, we're not a religion – we are just a group of people who live spiritual and good lives.
"People are very image conscious and the TV and media don't help.
"People get up every day and don't really notice anything around them.
"They are stuck in dead-end jobs that they don't enjoy and they don't have any time for themselves.
"We are a society, especially in this part of the county, that focuses on the external and not the internal."
Mrs Cullen wants to find a premises where she can hold sessions on everything from dealing with stress to spiritual healing.
"It will be like a lighthouse – once it is there more and more people will be guided in and will be able to find their spiritual self," said Mrs Cullen, a healer trained in Reiki.
"We are just looking for any premises where we can hold sessions, have a café and just open up to the public."
She added: "We are not weird and there is nothing kooky about what we do.
"We just believe that people need to look inwards and do things for themselves to be happy."
Mrs Cullen believes many of the world's current problems can be linked to a "new energy".
She said: "A new energy is coming in and it is causing people many problems as they don't understand it.
"It is a good thing and people need to embrace it.
"The recession and unemployment can be linked to this but when we embrace it things will change for the better."
The Loughton resident continued: "Our centre will be the perfect place for people to come.
"People who may not be entirely convinced will be welcome to have a cup of tea and just socialise."
She is quick to distance her views of spiritualism from those of the church and religious institutions.
"This is not a religion," she said. "Religion is all about doing things for a god, true spiritualism is about doing things for yourself.
"Spiritualism does not need a god, you only have to look inwards and worship yourself – there is no need for a god to explain everything."
Her views on spiritualism are not shared by Brentwood Spiritualist Church, based in Primrose Hill.
President Carol Stevenson said: "I disagree with the idea that God has no part to play in spiritualism. God is with everyone.
"Non-believers, however, are still welcome. It is very strange that a spiritualist should think God has no part."
