No Other Teacher

 There is no other teacher but your own soul.

Swami Vivekananda

I binge-watched three docuseries on Disney about cults this week. 

I am addicted to cult shows.  And I wonder why I am?  I am so curious as to why people "follow" others...giving up everything, not to serve the message or teaching (which I can understand to some degree), but to serve the human form of the teacher.  I am so curious to know what it is about that leader that pulls people in and gives them that power over the follower's minds, convincing them that the teacher's life is so much more worthy than their own. How do they convince the follower to follow mindlessly? How do they hide this destructive egoic tendency to want power, and complete unquestioned devotion for as long as they do? Why do they think it is okay to hurt, manipulate, and destroy others just so they can get their selfish needs met...and how does it take so bloody long for followers to realize this is happening? Does some part of the leader actually believe they are right and deserving in their position or chosen role, making their presentation authentic to the follower and if so, how or why? Are they psychotic with delusions of grandeur? Or just sociopaths that know what they are doing isn't morally sanctioned by the majority and do not care?

How do they get people to follow them so blindly and so completely selflessly? Do they use some form of hypnotization? We often hear the term "brain-washed" but what does that mean?  These leaders seem to understand the human mind so well and are able to apply the right techniques to break through the will, resistance, and self-preservation that make their followers into blind servants rather than doubtful questioners. Where do they learn this stuff and more importantly why did they learn this stuff?  Did they decide one day, "Hey when I grow up, I am going to become a cult leader, so I better start studying all about mind control now"? 

Many of these techniques take so much time, energy, effort, patience, pretending, keeping it all together on the outside. and commitment. How does such an egoic and selfish mind maintain that "guise" and momentum for as long as it is required? Even the greatest and well-trained actor will become tired, falling out of character from time to time. 

Through the numerous documentaries I have watched about so many different modern day cults, I have seen how leaders sucked their followers in by offering them what they believe is needed at the time...spiritual salvation or personal healing. I seen how so many created the appearance, in the beginning, of not having an ego or personal agenda.  They seem so selfless and loving, making the follower feel they really cared about them. Once committed to the teaching and the group, they add rules for living... first shared to assist the follower to heal, then the community they are building together to thrive, then the message they are sharing to best reach the world, and finally confusing rules to serve the personal needs of the leader as if that is only just and right. I have seen the use of thought replacement...the substituting of the follower's thoughts for the leaders. I have seen the use of constant and persistent interrogation in these shows in most cults, in one form or another. The creation of a deep sense of vulnerability by the sharing of deep secrets makes the leader more powerful when they become the secret holder.  I have seen the purposeful and gradual diminishment of self esteem and confidence. ..so slow and methodological. Then there was the creation of physical and mental exhaustion through hard physical labour and long hours, and a lack of sleep and nutrition. The followers become " unpaid workers", "volunteers", "slaves", or "servants".  The physical and mental body of the follower becomes drained so they are more likely to submit. So, so much "gas lighting" making the follower constantly feel they were not doing enough, or doing it wrong, hurting the leader, others, or themselves resulting in a need to repent or make amends. Then there is the repetition of mantras, sayings, or written messages that one cannot escape. How do the cult leaders know to use these techniques and did the leaders set out to learn them so they could gain control of the minds of others?

Most of these leaders...have hidden and secret backgrounds that indicate they might not be the most trust-worthy of souls.  Of course, these backgrounds are hidden by a change of name or a redeeming /victim story. 

Some leaders share and teach a beautiful message that truly could serve humanity in the long run. Do they even believe in the teachings and messages they teach? Did they at least at one point believe them?  Or do they just learn them because they know certain others will, and thusly know they can use them for their own selfish motivation? 

And what about the follower? I think anyone could become a follower and get lost in such a cult very easily.  I do not think the people that are targeted are "weaker" or "stupider" than anyone else.  In fact, it has been shown that very intelligent people join cults! We see that many have been "indoctrinated" into the teachings since childhood and it is easy to see why they follow their "appointed" leaders blindly. Others come into such followings later in life, usually at a vulnerable time when they are in need of some healing. Their indoctrination may be quicker but likely just as methodological as it is for those born into cults. It is funny that it is a desire for "peace. love, and harmony" that lead many into those organizations that cause pain and discord.

Hmm! People aske me, "Why are you so interested in cults and cult leaders? Are you thinking of becoming a cult leader and need to learn how?"  I can assure you that is the farthest thing from my mind.  I don't even want to be a leader let alone a cult leader. But how would you know that, right? Most cult leaders say they don't want to be leaders, don't they?  Anyway, not what I want. lol

I think I am interested because I am so interested in the messages many cult leaders teach...I mean the original message they use to gain followers. The guru is so important to the teachings I follow but I do not necessarily agree.  I personally couldn't trust a guru. Many of the modern day yogi gurus have been said by ex-followers to be cult leaders.  I thusly question every teacher out there, not just the yogis...especially those who have a following...and even more...those who have "volunteers" helping them at the retreats and teaching sessions they offer.  I watch to see what the teacher is personally gaining...and if they are making a lot of money off of their sessions while the "volunteers" who work 12-16 hour days make nothing. That throws a wrench in...let me tell ya! Many of these leaders are going to profess to doing "humanitarian things" with the money they make and they likely are but what is happening with the rest of the money? I watch for egos when these teachers are speaking. How often do they use "I", "me" "my" or "mine"? Are they claiming that the ideas and teachings they are offering are their own when they are not? I watch to see if they are taking ancient public domain practices and taking ownership of them...calling them their own after a few tweaks and re-namings.  I see that a lot. I watch to see if they are claiming "enlightenment" when so few on the planet have attained that.  I watch to see if they profess to the general masses that the only way one can become saved or healed is if they follow them and their teachings. 

I want to know the back story of the teacher.  I want to know if they are genuine. And even if they seem so articulate and genuine in their presentations, I don't automatically believe they are such. I watch for victim stories, "I was falsely accused"..."I was unjustly disowned by my family." etc. I want to know more about that. I do not give much heed to how they present themselves and what others seem to think of them.  I am fully aware of the sincere, charismatic and attractive persona, even the most dangerous amongst us possess. Were these teachers accused of immoral acts in the past?  Then, I watch for what ex followers have to say and the accusations made against these teachers. I would demand all the facts before I personally judged if they were innocent or guilty. 

I guess, it is so much easier for me not to have a guru lol and even, easier never to be one!!! I think learning should be more Self focused...more inward than external. I continue to separate teaching from teacher.  I still enjoy exploring the teachings of those who have been later accused and convicted of cult like activity.  The teaching they happened to share/use in their own unique way...the teaching that comes from ancient sources...is often still so beautiful and truthful. Whatever they may have done with it...cannot damage the truth.

Hmm!

All is well in my world.