True Teachers or Charlatans and Mystery-Mongers

 So also is it with Raja-Yoga, which when pursued as a means to attain liberation, and not (unfortunately it frequently becomes in the hands of charlatans and mystery-mongers) as an instrument to hood-wink the unwary, leads us all to the same goal.

Vivekanada Complete Book of Yoga

Hmm! I jotted down this quote because I was once again wondering about the legitimacy of certain yoga gurus or spiritual teachers from other paths, who claim to have found enlightenment and Self-realization to the point they want to help others do the same, while making a lot of money or gaining a lot of power doing so. How many out there are legitimate Self-realized yogis and how many are charlatans and mystery-mongers?  How does one tell the difference?

Of course, the belief about money and power comes in to the picture. Is it wrong that a guru or spiritual teacher profits from sharing these ancient teachings that truly belong to every one? What is money...just symbolic currency...really doesn't have much meaning, right? So, what if they make enough to live more than comfortably by doing what they do? If they are doing what they ought to do , wouldn't the universe support them? It is all just the play of Maya, isn't it?  Riches come and go, poverty comes and goes. 

 If I have a belief, however, that only the selfish and greedy are rich...then I will have a problem with gurus who drive around in Rolls Royces (I really do have a problem with that when the volunteers are struggling to stay fed after giving all their earthly belongings to this guru...that puts a knot in my gut and I would never trust such a leader.) Even when I like a "teacher" but see that they are charging astronomical amounts for their courses, allowing only a certain demographic to participate...that doesn't seem "right" either. 

Many of us are unwary and unsure of who to trust, desperate for enlightenment or at least a deeper meaning to our lives and we seek leaders and teachers as we travel certain paths....  We may trust the teaching, as I do  Raja-yoga, maybe, but some teachers  take on these tecahings, call them their own, and set out to serve their own ego through them. 

Money is neither good or bad and if  the teachers of raja-yoga or other disciplines gain a great income through their efforts: books, public speaking, etc...that should not be a problem...but if that is the motivation for them doing what they do with the teaching...that I believe is "hood-winking the unwary." That is not yoga.

I am on a rampage today, aren't I?  

All is well.