"SPIRITUAL WARRIOR" charged in sweat lodge deaths.

[Flower]

Here's another case of a self-professed "guru" gone too far:
(Notice the perfect white teeth, fake smile and his eyes)

The Oct. 8 sweat lodge ceremony was intended to be the highlight of Ray's five-day "Spiritual Warrior" event at a retreat he rented just outside Sedona. He told participants, who paid more than $9,000 each to attend, that it would be one of the most intense experiences of their lives

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SWEAT_LODGE_DEATHS?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=HOME

[CZBZ]

Thanks, Flower! That book, The Secret, sparked my interest in new-age gurus (or as my favorite cyber-snark calls them: New Wage Gurus.) I'm glad to see this joker went to jail. It's time we stopped giving a free pass to any thing labeled 'spirituality'.

Hugs,
CZ

[Jacintae]

Hi

Another smoothie.

http://www.integralworld.net/lane9.html

Jac xx

[CZBZ]

"Andrew Cohen doesn't at all act like an enlightened guru passing on valuable gems of wisdom. Rather, he acts like a spoiled brat who suffers from a chronic case of high school insecurity and has finally discovered a way to get even. And who does he get even with? Those spiritual seekers who are naïve enough to transfer over to Andrew Cohen their deep-seated yearnings, their love, and, finally, their wallets and purses."


Thanks for posting a link to this article, Jacintae! 

While I have read some of Ken Wilbur's work on self-actualization, he never made me want to vomit quite like Cohen.    I can't figure out their partnership---Wilbur's credibility may have allowed Cohen to appear credible. He certainly talks a fine story!

I am very cautious about silver-tongued gurus these days. I have to protect my mental health, you know. And yes, I am susceptible to 'floating into the ethers', transcending my earthly body and taking a spiritual (non-judgmental) view of life. Well, one day I told myself that WHEN I lived in heaven, I could be non-judgmental but it certainly wasn't serving my spirit to be that way NOW.

Nobody pontificates about nondualism better than a narc. That's because they are NOT grounded in reality, you see. AND, insisting on people being non-judgemental works well for them. They aren't held accountable for the malicious things they do to other people, all in service of the self!

I subscribed to the Enlightenment website and magazine for a couple of years because I like pondering the mystery of life. Then I watched a video clip of Andrew Cohen's workshop. A woman, in tears, stood in front of the group and told him that she was tired of always thinking about herself. That she wanted to be 'egoless' and stop the obsession with her development. Cohen told her that the best way to do that would be to "KILL HERSELF."

It was the most heartless and non-empathic response a supposed guru could ever say to a 'seeker' and it shocked me enough to cancel my subscription to his 'work'. I think Andrew Cohen fits the description of a narcissist pretty darn well. No wonder I was drawn to his work!

My job and maybe other people's job is to GROUND ourselves in what's real. You cannot transcend a self you haven't yet embodied. ha!


Hugs,
CZ

[eyes_up]

My take on the whole thing...

You do not need a Guru to get the teachings. All ya need to do is read and learn.

I have this huge feeling ... the huge need to say something here that has been on my mind since I have been a yoga instructor.

I work with people and it is on the topic of spirituality. That is what it gets down to despite the superficial focus yet very real focus on health and body which is mostly the first draw to yoga.

What i have observed is that culture today people need just like I need to write this out for once. I never really talk about it. People are looking for answers because things are so out of balance. What nasty narcissistic gurus do is make a mint off of the sickness the cultures system creates.

So, I offer people all kinds of information. I offer teachings on self connection etc. The issue is ... who is teacjhing people how to do it for themselves. This is the line right here.

False leaders keep people helpless.

Now , I can see that it would be pretty darn easy to step in and begin making money off of a human need/vulnerability. I myself become very angry when people begin looking to me as the answer and the connection to their own essence.

It gets wishy washy and mixed up. People are vulnerable when they are learning and trusting. It is a delicate place to be. I have been there myself through therapy. I have to trust that the other person has my best interest. That they are in fact doing their job and not using knowledge and disciplines to secure power over. But, and here is the biggie ... people have to be able and willing to think for themselves and never get stuck into believing some one else has the answer that is to be sought.

No guru is that huge. A guru should only be a teacher who is able to reach people so that the teaching happens. that is all. End of job. No one should need the guru once the task has been full filled. If the job was done correctly the guru and teacher is no longer necessary.

the transition for ego identified to non ego identification is a major passage in adult development. I do believe that any one who is profiting big time off of this human experience is inevitably a hoax. Any one who is on the other side ... meaning: with aware ego and a realized / connection to the whole SELF (rather than operating ego self)is not going to be interested in dominating controlling and abusing his/her empowerment. that is it they really have the teaching in tact and have transcended. other wise it is a lie/illusion.

I have read Ken Wilber and I liked how he put together the pieces of the puzzle. what i didn't like is when I took a look at his web site. That is when it all stopped. It was simply a video game to me. video games are fun but Things like transcendence or enlightenment are really not about flashing lights and hype. That is backwards or again expance rather than depth... as Ken Wilber puts it in his own books.

A descent guru doesn't remain a guru. ordinary life is acceptable ... fame and fortune are illusions.

eyes

[Flower]

Your welcome, CZ.  I have taken an interest in reading topics like this, since my previous N-experiences. Knowledge is power and the more empathic people know about these "gurus" and "golden boys", the less they will be taken in, along
with less victims for these pretenders.  New Wage gurus! LMAO! 

Jac...Thanks for the link...very good read. Smoothie! LMAO...reminds me of a drink, but those kind of smoothies are poisonous.


Eyes,

Your words: "People are looking for answers because things are so out of balance."

Isn't that the truth? I worked for a non-profit for years and let me tell ya, I was getting burned out trying to get people to find their own answers to become their own person. Look at the way things are today--- no wonder people are out of balance.  Too many people are being sucked in by these "healers" and "gurus," along with becoming involved in meN or womeN, who are only users. It takes considerable reading and resolve to attain a strong sense of self...not in a narcissistic way, but to be able to say "NO" to the BS, which sucks our spirit dry.

Flower

[CZBZ]

Thanks, Eyes. A commentor asked me to reply to her questions about 'The Secret'. You have offered me some valuable insight to consider before writing on my blog. This is such a hot-topic and I don't want to offend people but the flimflam artists in our society right now, are making people sicker. Not better. How to discern the difference? I've been working on a few ideas this afternoon...I really like your comment: "False leaders keep people helpless"

May I use it??



Hugs,
CZ

[eyes_up]

CZ, you might be interested in brushing through Sheldon Kopps book about "Guru". He has really good info on what we are talking about here. I was already on to the guru theme back when I had a friend who had a guru who was wealthy. I never bought the deal. Fast forward to being a yoga teacher... I have furthered my education on peoples attentions. When I read Kopps book it sort of aligned what I already figured in a really intelligent manner.

None of what I have written is from the book .... just the way I see it.

Regular education systems do not teach people to think for themselves. So that is the seed of the problem. a good teacher teaches people that it is with in their power. All teachers are temporary and hopefully there are many in a life time.

I have have been fortunate to graced with many good teachers in my life. None of them asked for pay and I felt every single one gave more than I could ever give them back. A true teacher doesn't need anything back.

eyes

[SydneyFireworks]

A true teacher doesn't need anything back.

~Eyes

... and a true teacher doesn't just fill your brain with information - a true teacher infuses you with enthusiasm for the subject and teaches you how to learn.

We don't have many home grown 'gurus' here in Australia - it seems to be more of an American thing.  Aussies are known for their cynicism and ability to tear down tall poppies (which isn't always a good thing) - but any narcissistic 'guru' brave enough to turn up here to espouse their twaddle is likely to be given very short shrift by 98% of the population and told to get back on their bike and go home!

Hugs
Syd

[eyes_up]

As we all know, Narcissist tune into areas available to  exploit and right now the split of christianity and new age thinking is providing  plenty of new posiitons or calings.

I heard some info on a radio show and I sure wish I could recall the exactness but it was talking about the criminal guru. it remarked on which christian segment is currently in the lead with spiritual exploitation. I want to say Presbyterian  but I could be completely wrong.

eyes

[Jacintae]

Hi

Well I guess everyone 'takes a stance' and there may be other reasons ( eg maybe another book to sell ) but I like this critique of the Secret.

http://www.thesecretantidote.com/default.asp?page=message

Jac xxx

[CZBZ]

You sure about that, Syd? I believe Rhonda Byrnes is Australian so maybe her new-wage ideas were gobbled up by Americans (and people all over this crazy world of ours), but she was born and bred in Australia. America is where cult leaders go to make money. Lots of it.

Also, I have found some of the best information about cults from Aussies. There are several religious cults flourishing in Australia, not to burst your bubble or anything... 

Try googling and see if you have heard of any of the groups springing up in your homeland. One of the people I conversed with online had recently left an Australian cult so she and her spouse created a website to help other people 'recover'.


Hugs,
CZ

[CZBZ]

Thanks, Jacintae! I shall read his 'take' on The Secret this morning!


Hugs,
CZ

All done reading his EXCELLENT article and now I'm prepared to publish my essay on my blog. I hesitated doing that but this guy validates my own 'thinking' on The Secret. He has given me the courage to speak up (even though I hate deleting nasty comments on my blog and I'm sure to get a few!)

thanks, Jacintae! He is speaking to my heart!


This is a direct link to blog, commenting on The Secret

[eyes_up]

I thank you as well Jacintae.

I really love this one..

"Express genuine humility. I believe that humility and wisdom are closely linked. My definition for wisdom is this: Wisdom is the accumulated knowledge of our ignorance. The older I get, the more aware I become of all that I don't know and all that I don't control. Since I don't happen to believe that the meaning of my life revolves around knowing and controlling everything (I did when I was 20), this is perfectly okay with me.

I am so glad J that you posted this. I thought a lot of the things this guy is providing at the end and it validates some of my own thinking that is not what secret believers want to hear about. Thanks again 

eyes

[SydneyFireworks]

You sure about that, Syd? I believe Rhonda Byrnes is Australian so maybe her new-wage ideas were gobbled up by Americans (and people all over this crazy world of ours), but she was born and bred in Australia. America is where cult leaders go to make money. Lots of it.

~CZ

Hi CZ,

I guess that was what I meant!  I believe (and it's only my belief based purely on living here and keeping tabs on the news) that most Aussie-made 'new-wagers' head straight to the US to spruik their wares, bypassing their homeland until they have found fame and fortune in the States.  I may be wrong.  The first I ever heard of Rhonda Byrne was on Oprah!  And she now lives outside of LA, so she obviously knows which side her bread is buttered! 

I wasn't really thinking about religious cults as such.

Hugs
Syd

[CZBZ]

So what are other country's impression of Americans?? Do we appear to be rich and gullible? 

I'm curious because the French told me Americans were naive. After how my life turned out, they were Spot On (If I represent the average american woman!). they also told me they saw us as prudes who had a lot of growing up to do.

My X was fond of saying the French had 'misplaced arrogance'.

We had some great conversations while living there. LOL Mostly, the French people made their generalizations based on Hollywood sitcoms. They were in for a huge suprise when they found out their new american neighbor didn't look like Daisy Duke.


Hugs,
CZ