--- In [email protected], "markmeredith2002" < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Good post Turquoise. The book "The Guru Papers" mentions how gurus > often come up with gradiose plans near the end of their mission -- a > few relevant paragraphs are quoted below. I don't agree with all of > Kramer's hypothesis in that book, but feel it is worth discussing: > > "Most cults follow a predictable progression of two distinct stages, > which indicates that what is involved is more a function of how > authoritarian structures work than of the particular teachings of a > given guru. > > This first stage is messianic with the message being that all labors > of the organization, including the guru's, are aimed at a higher > purpose beyond the group, such as saving mankind. During this phase > the guru is confident that he will eventually be acknowledged as the > one who will lead the world out of darkness. The major emphasis is > on proselytizing to bring in new converts. The continual increase in > numbers satisfies the guru's need for power and adulation. While > there is still hope of becoming the acknowledged herald of a new > order, he remains happy and relatively behing in his treatment of > those who have surrendered to him. > > As long as the guru still sees the possibility of realizing his > ambitions, the way he exercises power is through rewarding the > enthusisams of his followers with praise and positions in his > hierarchy. He also whets and manipulates desire by offering carrots > and promising that through him the disciples' desires will be > realized, possibly even in this lifetime. The group itself becomes an > echo of the guru, with the members filling each other's needs. > Everthing seems perfect: everyone is moving along the appropriate > spiritual path. The guru is relatively accessible, charming, even > fun. All dreams are realizable, even wonderful possibilities beyond > one's ken. > > A time inevitably comes when the popularity and power of the group > plateaus and then begins to wane. Eventually it becomes obvious that > the guru is not going to take over the world, at least not in the > immediate future. When the realization comes that humanity is > too stupid or blind to acknowledge that higher authority and wisdom of > the guru, the apocalyptic phase enters and the party is over. Then > one of two things generally happens: the first is that the guru's > message turns pessimistic or doomsday ... The other possibility is > that in order to attract more people, the guru makes increasingly > extreme promises and bizarre claims that offer occult powers, quick > enlightenment, or even wish fulfillment in the mundane sphere around > wealth, love, and power... > > When the guru realizes that most people are not going to acknowledge > him, he often compensates, if he can afford it, by building monumental > edifices that proclaim his greatness. This includes monuments or > temples, buildings, model communities and learning centers... Often he > consciously or unconsciously blames those around him for the failure > of his messianic aspirations. This stage commonly results in scandal > and tragedy."
Pretty fascinating quote, Mark. Because one of my "hobbies" or fascinations is comparative religion / comparitive spirituality, I've seen this scenario work itself out dozens of times. On the other hand, I have seen traditions *avoid* this scenario. They started clean and they ended clean. By "ended" I mean the primary teacher died, and no serious disintegration of the organization occured until long after the teacher died. The latter give me hope. But I do not expect the TM movement to be one of them. To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
