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Beware Of Fake Babas And Cults

simpy

SPNer
Mar 28, 2006
1,133
126
Dear Randip Ji,

the effort here is to alert and warn people, so that they can think of their sangat....................

there are millions of fake babas and cults, some with name, fame and following; some without.

anybody who is familiar with any such thing must share their views, like somebody has done before on SachaSoda........................

ALERT YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS FROM THESE TYPES OF PRACTICES..........

humbly asking for everybody's forgiveness
 

simpy

SPNer
Mar 28, 2006
1,133
126
And Randip Veer, please add more features of cults whatever is missing, this is an open thread...................

thanks
 

spnadmin

1947-2014 (Archived)
SPNer
Jun 17, 2004
14,500
19,219
Balbir jee

This thread is in Hard Talk. Hard Talk is a part of the forum that is closed to the public on purpose. Some topics are designated for members only. The only way to change this would be for the person who started the thread to ask Admin to change the location - move the thread. So Surinder ji would be the one to make that decision. One cannot make the decision for her.

aad0002
 

simpy

SPNer
Mar 28, 2006
1,133
126
Dhan Dhan Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaaj De Paavan Bachan on panna # 1012/1013(gives a lot of clarification on fake preachers etc.)


mwrU mhlw 1 ] (1012-14)
maaroo mehlaa 1.
Maaroo, Fifth Mehl:
mnmuKu lhir Gru qij ivgUcY Avrw ky Gr hyrY ] (1012-15, mwrU, mÚ 1)
manmukh lahar ghar taj vigoochai avraa kay ghar hayrai.
The self-willed manmukh, in a fit of passion, abandons his home, and is ruined; then, he spies on the homes of others.
igRh Drmu gvwey siqguru n BytY durmiq GUmn GyrY ] (1012-15, mwrU, mÚ 1)
garih Dharam gavaa-ay satgur na bhaytai durmat ghooman ghayrai.
He neglects his household duties, and does not meet with the True Guru; he is caught in the whirlpool of evil-mindedness.
idsMqru BvY pwT piV Qwkw iqRsnw hoie vDyrY ] (1012-16, mwrU, mÚ 1)
disantar bhavai paath parh thaakaa tarisnaa ho-ay vaDhayrai.
Wandering in foreign lands and reading scriptures, he grows weary, and his thirsty desires only increase.
kwcI ipMfI sbdu n cInY audru BrY jYsy ForY ]1] (1012-16, mwrU, mÚ 1)
kaachee pindee sabad na cheenai udar bharai jaisay dhorai. ||1||
His perishable body does not remember the Word of the Shabad; like a beast, he fills his belly. ||1||
bwbw AYsI rvq rvY sMinAwsI ] (1012-17, mwrU, mÚ 1)
baabaa aisee ravat ravai sani-aasee.
O Baba, this is the way of life of the Sannyaasi, the renunciate.
gur kY sbid eyk ilv lwgI qyrY nwim rqy iqRpqwsI ]1] rhwau ] (1012-17, mwrU, mÚ 1)
gur kai sabad ayk liv laagee tayrai naam ratay tariptaasee. ||1|| rahaa-o.
Through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, he is to enshrine love for the One Lord. Imbued with Your Name, Lord, he remains satisfied and fulfilled. ||1||Pause||
GolI gyrU rMgu cVwieAw vsqR ByK ByKwrI ] (1012-18, mwrU, mÚ 1)
gholee gayroo rang charhaa-i-aa vastar bhaykh bhaykhaaree.
He dyes his robes with saffron dye, and wearing these robes, he goes out begging.
kwpV Pwir bnweI iKMQw JolI mwieAwDwrI ] (1012-18, mwrU, mÚ 1)
kaaparh faar banaa-ee khinthaa jholee maa-i-aaDhaaree.
Tearing his robes, he makes a patched coat, and puts the money in his wallet.
Gir Gir mwgY jgu prboDY min AMDY piq hwrI ] (1012-19, mwrU, mÚ 1)
ghar ghar maagai jag parboDhai man anDhai pat haaree.
From house to house he goes begging, and tries to teach the world; but his mind is blind, and so he loses his honor.
Brim Bulwxw sbdu n cInY jUAY bwjI hwrI ]2] (1012-19, mwrU, mÚ 1)
bharam bhulaanaa sabad na cheenai joo-ai baajee haaree. ||2||
He is deluded by doubt, and does not remember the Word of the Shabad. He loses his life in the gamble. ||2||


AMqir Agin n gur ibnu bUJY bwhir pUAr qwpY ] (1013-1, mwrU, mÚ 1)
antar agan na gur bin boojhai baahar poo-ar taapai.
Without the Guru, the fire within is not quenched; and outside, the fire still burns.
gur syvw ibnu Bgiq n hovI ikau kir cInis AwpY ] (1013-1, mwrU, mÚ 1)
gur sayvaa bin bhagat na hovee ki-o kar cheenas aapai.
Without serving the Guru, there is no devotional worship. How can anyone, by himself, know the Lord?
inMdw kir kir nrk invwsI AMqir Awqm jwpY ] (1013-2, mwrU, mÚ 1)
nindaa kar kar narak nivaasee antar aatam jaapai.
Slandering others, one lives in hell; within him is hazy darkness.
ATsiT qIrQ Brim ivgUcih ikau mlu DopY pwpY ]3] (1013-2, mwrU, mÚ 1)
athsath tirath bharam vigoocheh ki-o mal Dhopai paapai. ||3||
Wandering to the eixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage, he is ruined. How can the filth of sin be washed away? ||3||
CwxI Kwku ibBUq cVweI mwieAw kw mgu johY ] (1013-3, mwrU, mÚ 1)
chhaanee khaak bibhoot charhaa-ee maa-i-aa kaa mag johai.
He sifts through the dust, and applies ashes to his body, but he is searching for the path of Maya's wealth.
AMqir bwhir eyku n jwxY swcu khy qy CohY ] (1013-3, mwrU, mÚ 1)
antar baahar ayk na jaanai saach kahay tay chhohai.
Inwardly and outwardly, he does not know the One Lord; if someone tells him the Truth, he grows angry.
pwTu pVY muiK JUTo bolY ingury kI miq EhY ] (1013-4, mwrU, mÚ 1)
paath parhai mukh jhootho bolai niguray kee mat ohai.
He reads the scriptures, but tells lies; such is the intellect of one who has no guru.
nwmu n jpeI ikau suKu pwvY ibnu nwvY ikau sohY ]4] (1013-4, mwrU, mÚ 1)
naam na jap-ee ki-o sukh paavai bin naavai ki-o sohai. ||4||
Without chanting the Naam, how can he find peace? Without the Name, how can he look good? ||4||
mUMfu mufwie jtw isK bwDI moin rhY AiBmwnw ] (1013-5, mwrU, mÚ 1)
moond mudaa-ay jataa sikh baaDhee mon rahai abhimaanaa.
Some shave their heads, some keep their hair in matted tangles; some keep it in braids, while some keep silent, filled with egotistical pride.
mnUAw folY dh ids DwvY ibnu rq Awqm igAwnw ] (1013-5, mwrU, mÚ 1)
manoo-aa dolai dah dis Dhaavai bin rat aatam gi-aanaa.
Their minds waver and wander in ten directions, without loving devotion and enlightenment of the soul.
AMimRqu Coif mhw ibKu pIvY mwieAw kw dyvwnw ] (1013-6, mwrU, mÚ 1)
amrit chhod mahaa bikh peevai maa-i-aa kaa dayvaanaa.
They abandon the Ambrosial Nectar, and drink the deadly poison, driven mad by Maya.
ikrqu n imteI hukmu n bUJY psUAw mwih smwnw ]5] (1013-7, mwrU, mÚ 1)
kirat na mit-ee hukam na boojhai pasoo-aa maahi samaanaa. ||5||
Past actions cannot be erased; without understanding the Hukam of the Lord's Command, they become beasts. ||5||
hwQ kmMflu kwpVIAw min iqRsnw aupjI BwrI ] (1013-7, mwrU, mÚ 1)
haath kamandal kaaprhee-aa man tarisnaa upjee bhaaree.
With bowl in hand, wearing his patched coat, great desires well up in his mind.
iesqRI qij kir kwim ivAwipAw icqu lwieAw pr nwrI ] (1013-8, mwrU, mÚ 1)
istaree taj kar kaam vi-aapi-aa chit laa-i-aa par naaree.
Abandoning his own wife, he is engrossed in sexual desire; his thoughts are on the wives of others.
isK kry kir sbdu n cInY lµptu hY bwjwrI ] (1013-8, mwrU, mÚ 1)
sikh karay kar sabad na cheenai lampat hai baajaaree.
He teaches and preaches, but does not contemplate the Shabad; he is bought and sold on the street.
AMqir ibKu bwhir inBrwqI qw jmu kry KuAwrI ]6] (1013-9, mwrU, mÚ 1)
antar bikh baahar nibhraatee taa jam karay khu-aaree. ||6||
With poison within, he pretends to be free of doubt; he is ruined and humiliated by the Messenger of Death. ||6||
so sMinAwsI jo siqgur syvY ivchu Awpu gvwey ] (1013-9, mwrU, mÚ 1)
so sani-aasee jo satgur sayvai vichahu aap gavaa-ay.
He alone is a Sannyaasi, who serves the True Guru, and removes his self-conceit from within.
Cwdn Bojn kI Aws n kreI AicMqu imlY so pwey ] (1013-10, mwrU, mÚ 1)
chhaadan bhojan kee aas na kar-ee achint milai so paa-ay.
He does not ask for clothes or food; without asking, he accepts whatever he receives.
bkY n bolY iKmw Dnu sMgRhY qwmsu nwim jlwey ] (1013-10, mwrU, mÚ 1)
bakai na bolai khimaa Dhan sangrahai taamas naam jalaa-ay.
He does not speak empty words; he gathers in the wealth of tolerance, and burns away his anger with the Naam.
Dnu igrhI sMinAwsI jogI ij hir crxI icqu lwey ]7] (1013-11, mwrU, mÚ 1)
Dhan girhee sani-aasee jogee je har charnee chit laa-ay. ||7||
Blessed is such a householder, Sannyaasi and Yogi, who focuses his consciousness on the Lord's feet. ||7||
Aws inrws rhY sMinAwsI eyksu isau ilv lwey ] (1013-11, mwrU, mÚ 1)
aas niraas rahai sani-aasee aykas si-o liv laa-ay.
Amidst hope, the Sannyaasi remains unmoved by hope; he remains lovingly focused on the One Lord.
hir rsu pIvY qw swiq AwvY inj Gir qwVI lwey ] (1013-12, mwrU, mÚ 1)
har ras peevai taa saat aavai nij ghar taarhee laa-ay.
He drinks in the sublime essence of the Lord, and so finds peace and tranquility; in the home of his own being, he remains absorbed in the deep trance of meditation.
mnUAw n folY gurmuiK bUJY Dwvqu vrij rhwey ] (1013-13, mwrU, mÚ 1)
manoo-aa na dolai gurmukh boojhai Dhaavat varaj rahaa-ay.
His mind does not waver; as Gurmukh, he understands. He restrains it from wandering out.
igRhu srIru gurmqI Kojy nwmu pdwrQu pwey ]8] (1013-13, mwrU, mÚ 1)
garihu sareer gurmatee khojay naam padaarath paa-ay. ||8||
Following the Guru's Teachings, he searches the home of his body, and obtains the wealth of the Naam. ||8||
bRhmw ibsnu mhysu sryst nwim rqy vIcwrI ] (1013-14, mwrU, mÚ 1)
barahmaa bisan mahays saraysat naam ratay veechaaree.
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are exalted, imbued with contemplative meditation on the Naam.
KwxI bwxI ggn pqwlI jMqw joiq qumwrI ] (1013-14, mwrU, mÚ 1)
khaanee banee gagan pataalee jantaa jot tumaaree.
The sources of creation, speech, the heavens and the underworld, all beings and creatures, are infused with Your Light.
siB suK mukiq nwm Duin bwxI scu nwmu aur DwrI ] (1013-14, mwrU, mÚ 1)
sabh sukh mukat naam Dhun banee sach naam ur Dhaaree.
All comforts and liberation are found in the Naam, and the vibrations of the Guru's Bani; I have enshrined the True Name within my heart.
nwm ibnw nhI CUtis nwnk swcI qru qU qwrI ]9]7] (1013-15, mwrU, mÚ 1)
naam binaa nahee chhootas naanak saachee tar too taaree. ||9||7||
Without the Naam, no one is saved; O Nanak, with the Truth, cross over to the other side. ||9||7||
 

Archived_member2

Archived
Jul 18, 2004
766
3
Germany
Dear all and Admin. Jee,
Many would love to share or read their true experiences with fake Baabaas, also in Gurdwaaraas.
Let the whole world come to know it. Open this thread for all.

Balbir Singh
 

simpy

SPNer
Mar 28, 2006
1,133
126
Some defintions of the terms associated with cults and fake babaas(from around the web):

Abusive Guru - an abusive guru or abusive spiritual master is always (always!) a false guru or master, never a genuinely enlightened teacher. This is because one of the signs of a true guru is that they never justify their abusive behaviour in terms of "breaking down the ego". Abusive gurus are almost always highly charismatic narcissistic, emotionally immature and parasitic sociopaths with a tendency to sadomasochistic co-dependency with their disciples and devotees. Many are inspired by (and stuck in) the intermediate zone, and hence are deluded enough to genuinely believe their own claims. Some may be puppeted by adverse entities. Abusive gurus are highly dangerous individuals who destroy the lives of many of their devotees. However it is also the case that some devotees are not harmed by, and even benefit from, their relation with their abusive guru. This is due to the highly ambiguous nature of the intermediate zone. The organisation of an abusive guru is called a cult.

Cult - used in this (limited popular) context only, "cult" refers to the organisation that develops around an abusive guru, and which enforces the abuser's authority, usually by means of an inner circle of lieutenants or close disciples who have taken on the abusive guru's dysfunctional sadomasochistic attitudes, thus keeping the devotees submissive and manipulatable. Every cult (used in thsi context) and cult leader denies that they are really "cults", and instead shadow projects their own dysfunctionalism onto their critics.

Fake Guru - as defined here, an individual who claims to be a spiritual teacher or master or true Guru, but has no geneuine spirituality at all. They are ultimately con artists or at best showmen, but provide nothing real, not even anything of the intermediate zone. Many disillusioned ex-devotees see their former guru as a fake; but more often sucha so-called guru is actually an abusive guru tapping in to the energy of the intermediate zone.



False Guru - by far the majority of Eastern gurus to the west, as well as home-grown gurus, are false. They either are deluding themselves, deluding others (con artists), or both. While some fake gurus are harmless, many are abusive, even dangerous, and should be steered well clear of. Such is the nature of lack of spiritual discrimination that many seekers believe that fake gurus are genuinely enlightened. This shows how easily people are fooled by superficial appearances.

8.1 The fake or unauthorised Guru

80% of the Gurus in society today are fake or without spiritual authority. That means they are at a spiritual level much below 70% and do not have access to the Universal Mind and Intellect. In some cases, these people may have a high ability to attract thousands of people by some specific spiritual power they have obtained.
For example, a person at 50% spiritual level may be able to cure disease from an early age through spiritual power obtained from spiritual practice undertaken in a previous birth. Most of mankind in today’s era being between the 20-25% spiritual level are unequipped to discern whether the person is a Saint or not. However they generally end up following the person who can heal them or perform miracles.
For the benefit of an average person, we have listed some points that a true Guru is not. These are a few points that will help you in finding out fake spiritual guides that can be understood by the intellect and tested. These are some cases where these fake Gurus have exposed themselves by their actions.

1. The Gurus who generate a feeling of inferiority in others and try to show off their greatness:
One Saint asks everyone who comes to pay obeisance to him their name and age. Once that is told he says, “Both the answers are wrong. The name and age belong to the body. You are the Soul. It has neither a name nor age”. Then he speaks on Spirituality and asks, “Are you doing spiritual practice?” If someone happens to reply in the affirmative, he asks “What spiritual practice?” If one replies, “The one recommended by my Guru”, he says “You were not able to answer simple questions about your name and age. Then what has your Guru taught you? Only a real Guru can reply to these questions. Come to me. I will tell you.”
One should tell such fake Gurus, “Actually your questions were meaningless! You asked me my name and age only because of your awareness of the body (dehabuddhi), so I too replied with awareness of the body”.
What kind of Guru is he who is unable to make out at the first glance whether one has a Guru or if one’s spiritual practice is going on appropriately or not?
2. Those who have an attachment to wealth and women
3. Putting on false airs
One Guru does not use a watch because he does not want to be bound by the restrictions of time and a watch strap. Yet after every fifteen to twenty minutes he asks others, “What is the time?”
4. Desirous of fame
Some people who have an earnest desire to be known as Gurus and are spiritually evolved to some extent, recommend different kinds of spiritual practice to others. In most cases, they do not walk their talk themselves. As a result, it has been observed that the seekers undertaking the advised spiritual practice progress but the so called Guru remains stagnant.
5. Encourage dependency in their students
Some Gurus fear that if they impart all spiritual knowledge to their disciples, they will have no importance thereafter. Hence they do not impart all knowledge to them.


fake guru: A fake guru wants his followers to believe that he is God Himself—that's why he tries to impress them with his mystic powers.
 

Astroboy

ਨਾਮ ਤੇਰੇ ਕੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਲਗਾਈ (Previously namjap)
Writer
SPNer
Jul 14, 2007
4,576
1,609
Please be warned on SPN rule No. 10

Personal Attacks or Sect Bashing: Do not engage in personal attacks or sect bashing. HATE MESSAGES WILL BE REMOVED WITHOUT NOTICE.
 

spnadmin

1947-2014 (Archived)
SPNer
Jun 17, 2004
14,500
19,219
International Akaali ji

Please re-post your comment, leaving out any sentences that might be construed by someone as an attack on Balbir ji. You did have some worthwhile things to say.
 

simpy

SPNer
Mar 28, 2006
1,133
126
another Definition on Fake Babaas(from around the web)


Beware of the False Guru
While Masters have many problems with devotees, the true initiate must beware of the "false Guru." These pretenders sometimes enjoy self-importance and power. In an arrogant state, they lose whatever attunement they had with God. They are incapable of being the Lord’s instrument of awakening. The bridge along the path to higher consciousness stinks with the lives of treacherous initiates and false Masters.​
Keep in mind that a true Master is one who is consolidated in the higher consciousness and who, by definition, does not fall. Sometimes, however, a very advanced person who is not yet qualified to be a Master may be commissioned by God to act temporarily as a teacher in some ways, preparing his junior brother or sister for the true Master yet to come. This guidance from an advanced and true devotee is not uncommon because there are so few true Masters in the world today.
Looking generally at spiritual and religious communities, one is often saddened by the intensity of the hatred and cruelty practiced in the name of love and obedience to God. The Master/Initiate relationship, therefore, absolutely requires the good will, respect and obedience of the initiate.The relationship also requires that the Master be a truly enlightened and constant instrument of the Lord.


I MUST ADMIT THAT THIS IS A MAJOR EXAMPLE OF A FAKE BABA.
 
Last edited:

spnadmin

1947-2014 (Archived)
SPNer
Jun 17, 2004
14,500
19,219
Surinder ji

Confessing to some confusion. Both sides of this seem pretty bad. And hard to pick out who is the Fake Baba and who isn't. See my questions. Maybe you can clarify for me.

another Definition on Fake Babaas(from around the web)


Beware of the False Guru
While Masters have many problems with devotees, This sounds like brainwashing is fortunately not succeeding.

the true initiate must beware of the "false Guru." These pretenders sometimes enjoy self-importance and power. In an arrogant state, they lose whatever attunement they had with God. They are incapable of being the Lord’s instrument of awakening. The bridge along the path to higher consciousness stinks with the lives of treacherous initiates and false Masters. This sounds like fake Babas definitely.


Keep in mind that a true Master is one who is consolidated in the higher consciousness and who, by definition, does not fall. This however could be a fake Baba who is criticizing other fake Babas.

Sometimes, however, a very advanced person who is not yet qualified to be a Master may be commissioned by God to act temporarily as a teacher in some ways, preparing his junior brother or sister for the true Master yet to come. How do we know if this temporary teacher is not a fake Baba?

This guidance from an advanced and true devotee is not uncommon because there are so few true Masters in the world today.
Looking generally at spiritual and religious communities, Again, sounds like a press release for one fake Baba voicing worries about other fake Babas.

one is often saddened by the intensity of the hatred and cruelty practiced in the name of love and obedience to God. The Master/Initiate relationship, therefore, absolutely requires the good will, respect and obedience of the initiate. This also sounds like brainwashing is about to happen. The relationship also requires that the Master be a truly enlightened and constant instrument of the Lord.
According to whom? Also fake Baba sounding talk.

They all sound like fake, bad guys to me. Help!!!OMG
 

simpy

SPNer
Mar 28, 2006
1,133
126
good analysis. he he........ see we cannot believe anything other than Gurbani. Better Stick with Gurbani

Waheguru Rakha
 

spnadmin

1947-2014 (Archived)
SPNer
Jun 17, 2004
14,500
19,219
Surinderji

That is the only conclusion that I can come to. Good thing Sri Gobind Singh Rai ji figured it out ahead of time.
 

simpy

SPNer
Mar 28, 2006
1,133
126
Yes Aad Ji, everytime i tried 'THE WEB'............................:)

AND MY BELIEFE IN GURBANI GETS STRONGER THAN BEFORE......
 

simpy

SPNer
Mar 28, 2006
1,133
126
Guess what i found on the WEB:

let-t.gif
AKE THE 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. Unless they have genuinely spent considerable time in other cultures, they are probably playing out a role. 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 scarring. 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 {censored}: 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 exactly 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 prophets 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.
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Aad Ji please analyse it and give your comments, when you get a chance.

Waheguru Rakha
 
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