Chavah Aima

As I reflect upon the recent news of another false guru being brought into the light, I realize again the desperation felt deeply within so many people. They were seeking material wealth and hoping to find their own power by following a self-proclaimed “spiritual leader”. Indeed, many of his followers are saying that they have found just those things, in spite of the tragic consequences this same search has had upon others.

Those who are feeling so good about their “guru”, and defending him by claiming that it was simply time for those others to die, show the depth of the damage caused by the techniques used by false gurus worldwide. This is not the only false guru, only the latest to come to light. It is predictable that his entrenched followers will defend him, perhaps even to their own deaths. A deep separation occurs between body-mind and soul once one has received repeated indoctrination into such a group.

A charismatic figure, promising unlimited wealth, appeals to the material nature of the human. However, to keep the illusion intact, s/he must somehow weave a spiritual message into the mix or risk losing those followers who see the superficiality of questing only for financial wealth. Though in the beginning, such a “leader” might have been motivated by some inner light, the great accumulation of money, power and fame will ultimately cloud that light while inflaming the ego nature.

In the western world such figures are common. They play upon the inequities that naturally exist within materialistic society. In western culture, financial wealth is given the highest respect and the wealthy wield the greatest power over others. Those who have little money are dismissed by such leaders as “losers”, or those who have not owned their power or taken control of their lives. In society, those who need money the most are given the least financial help; while those who have the most money are given the greatest opportunities to gain even more. Such is the nature of the materialistic world. (more…)