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The
False Guru Test
EnergyGrid.com
Take the
EnergyGrid False Guru Test. If seven or more of the following describes
your guru or spiritual teacher, then unfortunately he or she may not be
be as enlightened or good for your soul as you would like to believe:
1. States his or her own enlightenment: The wisest masters tend
not to state their own enlightenment or perfection for they know that
it is both unhelpful to themselves and to their students. The false teachers
often make this claim because they have little else on offer to attract
followers.
2. Is unable to take criticism: False teachers strongly dislike
either personal criticism or criticism of their teaching; they do not
take kindly to ordinary unenlightened individuals questioning them. They
or their organisations will even undertake multi-million dollar law suits
to stop ex-members from spilling the beans.
3. Acts omnipotently with no accountability: Some spiritual communities
are run like concentration camps, with guru and his chosen ones acting
like Gestapo officers. Unjust or outrageous behaviour by the guru is passed
off as what is needed to help the followers grow (how kind). These are
the dangerous gurus who have often severely damaged their students. A
real master respects your will even if he or she understands that your
particular decisions may not be in your interest, and he or she will act
accountably to an ethical code of conduct.
4. Focuses on enlightenment itself rather than teaching the path leading
to it: It is amazing how much false gurus have to say about enlightenment.
They argue their points in the same way that the scholars in the middle
ages argued how many angels could sit on the head of a pin. Any fool can
talk about the end goal because what is said is irrefutable to most of
your listeners. What is skillful is guiding those listeners to having
awakening within themselves. The real teacher focuses on the path and
strictly avoids any talk on enlightenment.
5. Does not practice what is preached: Contrary to spiritual myth,
you don't reach a point of realization whereby you can then start acting
mindlessly. If a teacher preaches love and forgiveness, then he should
act that way, at least most of the time, showing suitable regret for any
lapses). If he teaches meditation, he should meditate. If he insists that
his followers live in austere conditions, so should he.
6. Takes the credit for a particular meditative or healing technique:
The fact is that meditation and guided visualisation work. Anyone doing
them will experience major changes, benefits and realizations. The false
guru will try to own or trademark particular methods and techniques so
that she has something unique to attract followers. And she will hijack
the effects of meditation as the guru's blessing rather than each individuals
natural potential. Often the students or followers are forbidden from
divulging the techniques to maintain a sort of intellectual property right,
usually under the guise of needing the technique to be taught correctly.
7. Specifically gives satsang or darshan when it is not part of his
culture: Darshan is when the disciples or students of a master line
up and to pass their master, who is usually seated, with either a bow
or traditionally kissing their feet (yes it does happen). In the East,
this is part of their culture and a normal thing to do to show respect
and reverence (even children will kiss the feet of their fathers). However,
here in the West, such copycat behaviour is a strong indication that the
guru is acting a role. Satsang, on the other hand, means literally "the
company of the Truth". In a deeper sense it is an affirmation of
the Guru-Disciple relationship in Eastern traditions. But some Western
gurus will use this terminology because they are playing a role.
8. Lives in total opulence: There is nothing wrong with living
in luxury or being wealthy. But when that luxury turns to unnecessary
opulence using funds that were not explicity donated for that purpose
then you are probably dealing with a false guru. Money is collected from
followers usually in the form of donations, and those donations are given
as an act of love, appreciation and to help spread the influence of the
master. However, a genuine master is more likely to use such wealth to
lessen the suffering in this world, not to buy another yacht, private
jet or Rolls Royce.
9. Encourages or permits adoration from his followers: Avoid any
group that focuses on the "master" themselves rather than the
teachings or spiritual practices. This will be a hindrance to your self-realisation
for your focus will be drawn outside of yourself, and usually indicates
that there is not a lot more on offer than guru worship.
10. Presents himself or herself overly fashionably and glamorously:
Beware of masters who present glamour photographs of themselves and dress
overly fashionably (whilst proclaiming that they have no ego and leading
ego-death retreats). Yes it does happen!
11. Demands love and devotion from their students: Keep clear of
any master who demands love and devotion. One very well known Western
guru stated, "Anyone who loves me is guaranteed enlightenment"!
Real love and devotion is earned over time when we begin to really know
the whole person and not their public image.
12. Speaks with an Indian accent or vernacular when he is in fact a
Westerner: Not sure how much this happens now but there are some high
profile Western gurus who have (or had) Indian accents, mannerisms and
vernacular. This indicates that they are playing in their ego.
13. Runs expensive miracle workshops and courses: You are unlikely
to reach enlightenment after a few weekend workshops with cheesy titles.
In our society of "must have now", we want to be able to purchase
spiritual development with minimal fuss. Also, avoid meaningless accreditation—it
is often used merely to encourage followers to do more courses.
14. Takes sexual advantage of his or her followers: This happens
much more than many believe. It is not being prudish to include this one
because when a follower falls under the spell of a guru he or she is likely
to do anything for the Chosen One. It is only afterwards that it may dawn
on the follower that his or her openness has been used and abused. This
can be very psychologically scaring.
15. Flatters you and treats you as very special: Sure we are all
special in some ways, but this is one of the things that a false guru
may do to hook a potential follower or to get a current follower to do
a particular task. Nothing can be more intoxicating to the ego than to
be selected by the master or leader (or any high profile person). A real
master will stand back and allow you to make your decision whether to
accept his or her teachings without trying to influence the process.
16. Talks bollocks: It is surprising what a person will listen
to when he or she is devoted to the speaker. It is always a good idea
to get hold of a written transcript of what has been said and really read
the message. Then tell an open-minded friend who is not a follower what
their opinion is purely on the strength of the words. You will soon find
out whether there is any real substance to the teacher's message, or whether
you are merely being drawn in by the charisma of the messenger.
17. Overly relies on slick presentation: Slick presentation can
often mask poor content, and so it is important for you to look past the
lovely music and video shows at the actual message. The slicker the presentation,
the harder it is to see what eactly the teaching is.
18. Gives him or herself outrageous titles: Not satisfied by being
"merely" an enlightened being, many false gurus give themselves
titles (or allow their followers to do so) to indicate that they are literally
God-Incarnate, the reincarnation of the Buddha or Christ, or THE chosen
one. Some continually change their names, to keep pace with their burgeoning
egos.
19. Runs abundance workshops: A guru or master is there to help
us find an authentic life. This is nothing to do with becoming more successful
at work or making more money, although this may or may not follow from
being more authentic. There is nothing wrong with abundance weekends,
but if we mistake spirituality for increased business success, then we
are guilty of spiritual materialism and we find ourselves deeper in the
illusion. (The Japanese say that the Gods laugh at those who pray for
money.)
20. Is not interested in you personally: If a teacher or guru does
not have time to interact with you personally, then you may as well read
his teaching from a book, because merely being in his presence doesn't
help you find realization inside you. You may model some of his spiritual
characteristics, but that often only places you deeper in illusion.
21. Allows his followers to set up a hierarchy of access: A guru must
be accessible. If he is not, or if he allows his followers to block your
access, then he is playing the role of a king and not a spiritual guide.
A guru is only useful to the process of awakening if you can directly
interact with him.
22. Makes false claims of lineage: Many mistakenly believe that
realisation can only happen under the guidance of a realized master. In
this belief system, gurus are only authentic when they come from a line
or lineage of realized gurus. Desperate not to be left out, some gurus
claim a false lineage of enlightened masters to bolster their authority
to teach. Another pseudo form of "lineage" is to recount a miracle
that once happened to them (maybe they cured themselves of some disease
or God spoke to them personally) which infers that they are "chosen"
and therefore have the authority to set themselves up as teachers and
gurus.
23. Presents themselves as non-profit whilst raking in the millions:
Often, the false prophet will present her teachings for free, whilst strongly
encouraging her devotees to make large donations. In this way she can
appear above money considerations, whilst maintaining her greed and opulence.
24. Collects a large band of angry ex-followers: This is an indication
that something is seriously wrong. If she has used kindness and love in
her interactions with her students, and has discouraged them from projecting
denied spiritual characteristics onto the guru (rather than encouraging
their integration into the self), then it is extremely unlikely that there
would be more than a few disheartened ex's. Many might drift away and
feel they have wasted their time, but they are only likely to have the
great anger if they have put their teacher on a pedestal, given him their
power, and later realized that he was never worthy of such adoration.
Contrary to what some believe, it is actually the teacher's responsibility
to strongly discourage students from putting them on pedestals, for this
is counterproductive to finding realisation inside.
25. Uses pseudo-technology: Many false profits and organisations
base themselves around pseudo-technology in the effort to appear scientific—special
meters, communication devices (do you really expect the aliens to use
a mobile?) and energy clearing instruments and pendants that involve crystals
and copper wire. Once again, this is to distract the unwary from the poor
quality of the actual teaching.
26. Acts like a complete paranoid mad person: If your Precious One
acts like a complete paranoid schizophrenic or psychotic then he or she
probably is. Run! Remember that there is no such thing as "crazy
wisdom"—wisdom is the art of being balanced. However charismatic
they may be, and sane between moments of madness, you WILL be damaged
by them.
Source:
EnergyGrid.com
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