Spirituality is becoming more popular than ever; being spiritual is in fashion – just look at some of the better known names in the entertainment industry. Then, there are thousands of their “followers”, no, not in the spiritual sense, but those who will mimic everything their idols do, and you have an opportunity ripe for the “suppliers of spirituality”. Coming under the guise of a guru, they are ready to lead all those lost souls to… yes; you guessed it, to “enlightenment”.
Nothing new about the “guru institution”; through the history of mankind there always were spiritual leaders, false or true, and so were their teachings. People were always seeking the divine intervention to help them solve their earthly mess, and nobody seemed to be better qualified than a local guru, be it a religious functionary, reclusive hermit, dancing shaman or a visiting holy man. Many centuries later…

The world we live in today presents so many uncertainties, little wonder that more than ever we try to find answer in the out of this world – spiritual realms. And whilst the established religions are fast losing their adherents, the broad current of the modern spirituality pulls in more people than ever. Vast masses of confused souls (at least that’s how they feel) desperately looking for some guidance and… deliverance. And while for some it means getting closer to God, for many more it is tantamount to being successful and happy first, and then securing a salvation. Sounds a bit idealistic, doesn’t it?
No, not really, we can deliver all that and more! Who says? The false guru industry (FGI).

Assisted by the omnipresent media, clever marketing wizards create, develop and finally crown one false guru after another. In the process, the demand is fulfilled, the easy profits harvested. It’s no secret that they will skilfully market any malleable individual with a “message” and make him a spiritual guru for the millions. The commodity: enlightenment. The cost: from “pay no money now” to an (in more ways than one) broken person, with any dollar amount in between. And who is responsible if there are no results? You are. You were not trying hard enough. But the really tragic part of all this is the impossible to underestimate number of people who lost their faith in God and/or spirituality for good.

There is much less wrong with promising people to make them millionaires overnight, or to become supremely self-confident, as the self-improvement industry does. But to lead people on a supposedly spiritual mission, around in circles, betraying their trust along the way, is yet another thing. But people are naive, you may say. Indeed, they are. How else would you explain the result of a recent pooling in the USA: “Jesus will return by 2050, say 40% of Americans.” Are they the same people who worshipped Sai Baba? Consider the whole Maitreya scam. Recent Maitreya’s conferences organized and led by British Theosophist and PR man Benjamin Creme, denied Jesus and promised to deliver a true salvation to you and many.
Perhaps being naive and ignorant makes them an easy prey. Still, is doesn’t make the hunting justifiable.
But try to tell it to people like Deepak Chopra with his fundamental book “The seven spiritual laws of success: a practical guide to the fulfilment of your dreams.” Doesn’t he know, being as prominent spiritual teacher as he is, that there’s no connection between true spirituality and dreams?
There’s more. Take one Eckart Tolle, with “Eckhart Tolle TV” and the whole array of “teaching aids” offered by his web shopfront. In case you were suspicious that the whole thing is money driven, you were right. That’s what can read on Tolle’s website: “Behind the external form of what we do, and behind the business structure, lies the company’s and our true purpose: the union with the Divine.” Surely, you can’t buy an access to the Divine, can you?
For those still not convinced, Tolle’s website explains: “The work of Eckhart Teachings is in response to the urgent need of our times: the transformation of consciousness and the arising of a more enlightened humanity.” What are they going to transform? The consciousness? Even the humblest spiritual novice knows that the consciousness is all pervading, unlimited and timeless…

The con job continues, with false gurus trading in enlightenment, being unenlightened themselves. Would you fly with somebody who is not a pilot? It is mind-boggling how otherwise-sensible people give their devotion and absolute obedience, surrendering their willpower, independence, and life’s savings in the hope of realizing for themselves the same kind of “enlightenment” as they believe their spiritual master poses. Nobody tells them, that it is a Realization that one should make one’s goal of. Enlightenment is only a state, and as such it comes and goes; it is temporary, while a Realization is permanent.
Realization is achievable to anyone through any of the two main ways:
The first is the way of devotion. The second is the way of internal enquiry.
Whilst the first is essentially the way of pray and selfless service (Mother Theresa, Gandhi, etc.) the second is the one where the intellect plays an important role. This is the way of Dr David R Hawkins, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, etc.

In the modern society, hardly anybody has time and patience to compassionately serve others, or to spend years on old fashioned prays, chants and rituals. That’s why the “solutions” offered by the FGI are so much in demand. People want quick and profound results; and they believe they will get them with the acquisition of innumerable books, CDs, seminar tickets, etc. And if the “guru” can throw in a miracle or two, that’s even better. Realize this: your most important guru is your Self. The only guru you can absolutely trust, no matter how naive you are. You are never away from It, for your Self is with you always. This is the truth that the false gurus are hiding from you, so that you can serve them better.
The road to Realization is fraught with danger and full of deceptive turns, only when you turn away from your Self.
The peace and happiness you’re so much longing for are not to be found outside. It really is that simple – you already are what you want to become. Just realize It!