Posted a few years ago but worth reading again. Excerpt from The Guru Papers:
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 benign 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. Everything 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, voicing something like this: Soon civilization is going to break down and face amazing disasters -- except for us, who are wisely withdrawing to protectdt ourselves and retain our purity. This group will survive as a pocket of light amidst the darkness; then afterwards we will lead forth a new age. 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... Either of these tacks -- predicting disaster or making grand promises --- is counter productive in the long run, since most people would prefer to align with an optimistic viewpoint and are taken aback by the outrageous claims. The attitude of benign superiority toward outsiders characteristic of the expansionistic phase dramatically shifts when the group turns apocalyptic. It is the outsiders who will receive the brunt of whatever cataclysm the guru claims will come. Now there are dire warnings about the dangers of associating with anyone not on this path. The fervor shifts from world-saving to a holocaust mentality focused on the survival and protection of the group. Any member who leaves threatens the cohesiveness of the whole group. This mounting mistrust is not totally paranoid because as the group becomes more closed and bizarre, outsiders react more negatively... The transition from optimistic expansionism to the paranoid doomsday mode involves a heavy turnover of people. Those not really serious leave, and others begin surreptitiously to question the leader's omniscience. In an attempt to counteract this, the group becomes more militaristic, demanding even greater obedience... 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... Whenever a guru's power needs are not being satisfied by expansion, he generally seeks more adulation from and control over those who have surrendered to him. He does so by dictating more directly how they spend their daily lives... Though the guru needs his disciples even more attached to him, he becomes more remote, sending his dictates down the line. Although the guru usually preaches the unity of all humanity he becomes increasingly more separate. His message is of love, but he shows little concern for those under him, as they have become mere tools for his ambitions. Often he consciously or unconsciously blames those around him for the failure of his messianic aspirations. This stage commonly results in scandal and tragedy. 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/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> 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/
