Spiritual Corruption

The Spiritual Community

The vast majority of seekers have good intentions with their spiritual practice, aspiring to transform into better people and to do away with anxiety and depression. Living in a spiritual community or monastery involve conforming to the set up rules and practices. In Asia, more so than in the West, you're expected not to question any of the teachings or practices. This is something many westerners find difficult to accept.

The teacher is often respected a lot more than any other community member and quite naturally we expect her to be a really pure and advanced person, even though the truth may be quite the opposite. However, the longer you stay in a community, you gradually start seeing things the way they really are. And that may be a rather disappointing realization that you may deny to yourself at first. Your spiritual teacher and the community offer you hope but when your faith in him and the community crumble, most of your hope will vanish - to do away with these undesirable consequences you may turn a blind eye to some of the things you see and hear.

Forms Of Manipulation

Listen carefully, having sex with your spiritual teacher won't benefit your practice at all. No matter how enlightened your teacher is or what people may say. Progress or your spiritual path is the result of determination and hard work. There are no quick fixes. Besides, an advanced spiritual teacher doesn't follow his sexual desires blindly and wouldn't take advantage of his followers either.

Most seekers want a close and special relation with their guru. I've seen students spend lots of money on gifts, and that's often what it takes just to get close to the teacher - which may result in occasional breakfast meetings in private.

And what about the guru who tries to control her students? First she may say that you're spiritually gifted or that you're like her son or daughter, which is exactly what you want to hear. Then, you're asked to do something you really don't want to do. Your teacher puts pressure on you and expects you to go along with it. Stand up for yourself!

Advanced Manipulation

Being an advanced meditator is not the same as being a pure and enlightened person. Many gurus or spiritual teachers are seasoned meditators. And if he doesn't like your presence in the community he may very well try to get rid of you, by sending you nasty energy in hope that it will be too much for you to bear and that it will make you leave. This energy makes you feel emotionally low and it may linger in your system for some time. Instead of wholeheartedly accepting conditions as they are, some spiritual teachers do whatever it takes to get rid of you. This advanced form of manipulation is especially effective on individuals that are going through emotional difficulties.

The Spiritual Image

To gain your loyalty and respect, your guru may try to inflate her spiritual powers. Perhaps by creating a mystical ambiance, when the students meet her in private, by dimming the lights down low. This way it feels almost sacred to meet the teacher. Other means of creating spiritual images include holy beards, spiritual jewelery and costumes.

Or the teacher may distance himself from the rest of the community almost like an emperor. So, if you want to meet your teacher you got to make an appointment with his assistant. I've seen this kind of set up in a buddhist monastery with less than 10 residents! These are all attempts to create magical presence round the teacher.

Common sense applies to worldly and spiritual matters alike. Never let anyone control or manipulate you, no matter what. The true nature of spirituality is inner freedom.

Best of luck!

Related: Living In A Spiritual Community Meditating In Japan Monk In Thailand