How does one spot a cult leader or narcissistic/sociopathic/psychopathic guru?

[lmfao]

I find this question interesting because I wonder at what point can you say that a guru is doing something unconducive for your growth. I've heard people talk about cult followings and manipulation on the part of spiritual leaders and find this interesting. A second thing I wonder is, does enlightenment and connection with the absolute necessitate that you be an ethical person? I believe the answer to that question is no based upon my own experiences with meditation for 7-8 months now. Behaving as a solipsist seems like a valid way of being. I could do all sorts of harm to people and it wouldn't matter, but it is instead the case that I feel the urge to be nicer to people and care about them. But the existence of enlightened criminals is something I see as being completely plausible, although these criminals wouldn't be impulsive and would just do what they can without being caught.  What I'm talking about now is only tangentially related to this thread topic, but I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.

Back to talking about my original question. Can you think of non-duality spiritual leaders who have abused their followers? Do you have footage of such people speaking? Are all spiritual leaders secretly assholes who don't give a shit about the well being of people, since they have seen through the illusion of good and bad? I have no idea at all how well I can spot a manipulator. 

 

Edited August 28, 2018 by lmfao

[cetus]

@lmfao I just have to look in the mirror to spot one.  Once you've seen one, you can spot 'em all.

[lmfao]

@cetus56 good answer  

[RichardY]

How does one JOIN!!! a cult... Where do I get the dagger, robes, nymphomaniacs etc. Technically in a cult already, society in general.

[lmfao]

@RichardY You want to join a cult? Great. Just watch this video with an open mind and feel the quantum extraterrestrial vibrations as you take leaps in consciousness.To roam the circuit is to become one with it. We exist as superpositions of possibilities. Put this tune in the background as you suspend critical faculties and listen to our tapes. Thank you very much.

 

 

Edited August 28, 2018 by lmfao

[cetus]

14 minutes ago, RichardY said:

How does one JOIN!!! a cult... Where do I get the dagger, robes, nymphomaniacs etc. Technically in a cult already, society in general.

Cults 'R' Us has a rather large selection.

[RichardY]

4 minutes ago, cetus56 said:

Cults 'R' Us has a rather large selection.

LOL. I guess if you got the green, join any cult you want. 

 

@lmfao Can feel the vibrations EMANATING!!!!! The background tape makes all the difference!!!!!

[cetus]

22 minutes ago, RichardY said:

Technically in a cult already, society in general.

@RichardY The cult of personality? 

 

[Joseph Maynor]

 

[archi]

This book is on my list:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/651942.Saints_and_Psychopaths

and it may answer your question.

[Strikr]

On 28/08/2018 at 11:34 PM, cetus56 said:

@lmfao I just have to look in the mirror to spot one.  Once you've seen one, you can spot 'em all.

hahahahaha

I m seriously laughing man, thanks

 what if you love cult leader ?

 

[Forestluv]

Cults aren’t always extreme. There are a lot of nuances to cults. Some mainstream groups / organizations have subtle forms of cultish ideology. 

[Strikr]

 

every form of talk is a sub form of cult ? don't you think so ? doesn't have you friends who try to convince you about something ? 

you try to get people on your perspective, or eating an idea. It's always about being a cult and facing others.

 

Edited August 31, 2018 by Strikr

[Leo Gura]

I'll release a video about cults in the future.

[Joseph Maynor]

Teaching is unconducive to growth ironically.  That’s the price the bodhisattva pays.  It’s hard to surrender Thought when you’re pounding it in so hard all the time trying to teach people and be consistent in your ‘teachings’.  Your ‘ritual of terms’ as a teacher is like an anchor keeping you pinned in Maya.  To God, all Thoughts sound like insignificant bird chirps in the forest.  Drowning in Thought is one form of drowning in illusion a.k.a. Maya.  Drowning in Experience is the other horn of Maya.  To God, all Experience looks like a bad movie.

Edited August 31, 2018 by Joseph Maynor

[archi]

@Joseph Maynor  Yes, I watch movies but don't tell me all are bad :). 

[Privet]

https://youtu.be/-_mppU0j58c

https://youtu.be/XBItqGFYVSI

I think in those videos you can hear couple of very interesting points.

Edited August 31, 2018 by Privet

[Shanmugam]

20 hours ago, archi said:

This book is on my list:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/651942.Saints_and_Psychopaths

and it may answer your question.

Get it for free: http://www.buddhistische-gesellschaft-berlin.de/downloads/saints-and-psychopaths.pdf