Are most spiritual gurus just money grubbers?

By Christine Garvin On July 22, 2009 · 19 Comments

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Author Lena Katz identifies the most self-involved and shallow people she interviewed for her new travel series: the Yoga Gurus.

Photo: Goldemberg Fonseca

After reading an excerpt of an interview with author and blogger Lena Katz, I’m now extremely pumped to read her forthcoming books, Sip California, Snow California, and Sun California.

I’m mostly pumped because of something she noted about finding people to interview for her books.

It certainly made me chuckle (and feel exasperated) in my little corner enclave at the Whole Foods (yes, I see the irony):

I…discovered that of all the self-involved, money-grubbing, shallow people in the city, the worst by far are… the Yoga Gurus. If you see “spiritual,” “mind-body” or “conscious healing” in a biography, you’re almost guaranteed that person will not give you 30 seconds of their time without being paid for it.

Visions of The Secret danced in my head.

Thing is, I got my Masters in Holistic Health Education. So I’ve studied the hell out of many prominent MDs-turned-holistic-heath-healers, Consciousness-raisers, and Raw-Food-Lovers (who all add the signature “love” to their ingredients list), and subscribe wholeheartedly to the system.

But between yoga trademarking, the rumors of one very well-known Ayurvedic MD focused intently on money and status, and raw foods that cost $10 for a piece of chocolate love, I get a bit weary of it all.

It leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I hear that a well-known alternative practitioner is focused on making as many bucks as possible.

I like to think of both traveling and delving into holistic approaches to life as ways to expand a person’s perceptions. I see nothing wrong with making money from either; in fact, I think it is an excellent way to incorporate what you do with who you are.

Yet it certainly leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I hear that pretty much any well-known alternative practitioner is focused on making as many bucks as possible, all while spouting that money doesn’t bring you happiness (sans The Secret, of course).

It reminds me of the religious leaders of old (and sometimes new), and it certainly diminishes the quality of the perceived consciousness shift we are going through.

Do you think most spiritual leaders are simply focused on the money? Share your thoughts below.

About The Author

Christine Garvin

Christine Garvin is a certified Nutrition Educator and holds a MA in Holistic Health Education. She is the founder/editor of Living Holistically...with a sense of humor and co-founder of Confronting Love. When she is not out traveling the world, she is busy writing, doing yoga, and performing hip-hop and bhangra. She also likes to pretend living in her hippie town of Fairfax, CA is like being on vacation.

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http://www.tabs-examinedlife.com/ Tabatha Smith

I just returned from four months in India where I met many a ‘guru’ who were just money grubbing slime balls. At one point I was told by a Brahmin priest that the ‘puja’ I had offered wasn’t good enough because I hadn’t given him any money. He was shouting and yelling at me about the fact that I wouldn’t give him any cash and he told me my prayers weren’t going to come true. I had been praying for inner peace and this little mongrel certainly disturbed that; guess he was right! I had to go back and start my prayers all over. . .
That said, I did meet one man who was truly a spiritual leader. He spent his life devoted to others and helping them find their peace.
Are all spiritual leaders focused merely on money? No, but I would say a fair few are. The key, if you’re searching for a spiritual leader, is to look for him or her with your eyes wide open.
http://www.ianmack.com Ian MacKenzie

I think it’s a question of supply and demand. If enough people are seeking an answer to their spiritual ills, then others will crawl out of the woodwork to give it to them. You have to vet your teachers just as you would a contractor to install your floors.
http://robbiewilliamsandme.blogspot.com Ekaterina

ha-ha!

I wrote a few days before this article about spiritual teachers on my blog! http://robbiewilliamsandme.blogspot.com

More I meet them, more I don’t want to meet them…someone who really wants to help the healing (which should start with the person) is not after the money, but acts out of compassion and true gift.
Nowdays, the majority are just after the money. I once paid 500 bucks for a session with well-known gurus, and it was hilarious (apart from the hole in my banks account, but i suppose I was desparate and stupid), as it was revealed that my boyfriend had left me because I had castrated him in my previous life and that I would marry an American and move to the States.
Yes, I did move, but to the UK, and as it looks now, I am more likely to marry a Brit…And trust me, I am so harmless that I wouldn’t harm a fly, less, castrate anybody…
http://www.LawOfAttractionSuccessStories.com Jonathan Lockwood

I wrestle with this subject a bit myself. I think much faultfinding can be negative things in ourselves projected onto others; so I approach this cautiously.

You write, “I see nothing wrong with making money from either; in fact, I think it is an excellent way to incorporate what you do with who you are.”

So I think it comes down to where exactly each of us draws the line. The idea that someone charges for his or her services doesn’t bother me in the least. The idea that, if someone is considered particularly valuable in the eyes of many–and their services are in great demand, they begin to charge more, doesn’t bother me either. But I’ll admit sometimes I run out of excuses for a few of these people too.

There is one metaphysical guru, known to be a strong marketer, whose opportunism holds a high gag factor for me. I have enjoyed some of his books, and he does have excellent information to offer. No question. But since signing on to his e-mail list, I have been constantly bombarded by one super-hyped offer after another.

First he’s having a never-again-to-be-held event, and tickets for it are top-dollar. Okay. Then there are the seemingly unending e-mails utilizing the “you’d better do it now or you’re screwed” approach. Then, just after it sells out, guess what? I’ll be darned if he doesn’t find a couple of hundred more seats! This is followed by a repeat of the above e-mails. Next, if you can’t make it to the event, (how about this one) send him a hundred bucks and they’ll “think about you” during the event…

If those in attendance received remarkable value, well good. Maybe it was worth every cent. But can we come to grips with the fact that people today are more media savvy than at any previous time? That undisguised, unabashed, slickly marketed, hugely hyped, unrelenting offers leave people feeling you are disingenuous?

Maybe I’m wrong; just my 2 cents.

http://robbiewilliamsandme.blogspot.com Ekaterina

Hi Jonathan,

you made me laugh with your story about the guy who asks for money to think about you during the event!

The problem is that these kind of people abuse power and just give a bad name to anything ‘psychic’.

Personally, I did encounter a couple of people who have real abilities and help (and guess what? They are not super-rich!) other people and I do call one psychic like twice a year…(well, more often), but he is more of a advisor, and is just a genuine and kind person. I don’t see any problem in paying him either, even if for a couple of times he didn’t charge me when he knew that I was low on money.

Osho, whose wisdom I follow, created his own ashram and did charge people for staying there.
And why not?
In the capitalistic society, money is there since the day we are born.
But the problem is that genuine people in this field often lack the ‘selling’ guts of faked gurus…
A pity really, as I rather would see my psychic and my ‘teacher’ from Amsterdam in the rich category, as I know that they would do something good with money…
thanks also for having looked at my blog!

http://philiphorvath.com philip

Good post and comments! Thank you all. Really enjoyed reading this page so far.
In any field (consciousness, healing, the arts, but also plain old business) there seem to be:

- Those who are scams and get the karma they deserve
- Those who do great work and get paid well
- Those who are scams and get paid way too much
- Those who really do the work out of the love and unfortunately don’t get paid because they don’t know how to market themselves or find certain selling techniques distasteful

Unfortunately, and maybe because of the way our monetary system is set up, the latter two groups seem the predominant ones – at least in my experience. Think the important thing here that will help this and already is helping this situation, is the shift from marketing machines and controlled outlets like television, to more and more peer networking and peer evaluation.
Instead of reading what some celebrity on television tells you to, read the books that your friends recommend. Same with healers. No matter how they market to you, base it on someone’s recommendation.

When the student is ready, the teacher appears. Sometimes, they appear as scams, too. It’s a lesson learned

http://robbiewilliamsandme.blogspot.com Ekaterina

I am so glad that Christine published this article, as this ‘spam’ ‘true’ thing has been a lot on my mind lately!
It is also very timely, since people forget nowdays that reality is not what is told to you by others (as Jonathan says on his site in different words), but what you learn out of it.

I like your summary Philip about the categories of ‘healers’, – it’s exactly the case!
I looked briefly at your site, and I think you are among the few who doesn’t say bullshit about the ego (apart from my teacher in Amsterdam).
I am tired of hearing the ‘mantra’, that we should get rid of our ego.
We can’t! Especially in our society and in order to ‘achieve’ something (even if I don’t like the term). It’s how to become aware when only the ego drives us that we have to learn.
I laugh every time when a ‘spiritual master’ says that ‘I will teach you how to get rid of your ego’ while charging ridiculous amount of money for what he says…

http://www.theglobetraveller.net Trip Reviews

I believe all they want is you money. How many people claimed to be the new Jesus or the new spiritual leader? Thousands!
I live in Argentina (hope you write about my beautiful country) and we get those leaders every 5 years or so. All of them turn to be a scam. Theres a guy now that calles himself “Love Pastor” or something like that. He had many many followers and now he is in jail accused of rape.

I think people, mostly poor people, NEED to have a spiritual leader that will tell them everything will be alright. They NEED to trust somebody that will tell them they will be better.

Thanks, fuser
http://friamin.com Frank

There is no doubt that there are spiritual leaders who are more interested in the weight of their purse than the weight of their pulpit. With that being said I don’t believe that it is wrong to accept a degree of monetary compensation for the service you offer. That is the nature of the world we live in. Doctors get paid for healing your body. Psychologists get paid for healing your mind and spiritual leaders get paid for healing your soul. You have to ask yourself if the value you receive is worth the price that you pay. Where one might see the value in sending a check to the late night preacher that will heal you if you just send a donation of $1,000 another will not see the value. You know instinctively if the message is pure and the value is warranted. If it doesn’t feel right you know what to do…..
Namaste
sander

Warning be aware of Ravi Singh, he is a thief.
These guys are spamming on sites over the whole world en are claming to be bonafide but they are crooks.
I did order for 350 Euro’s sometings never got it and now they are not reply any mail or phonecall.
Be warned don’t order anyting at their websites.
They also copy products photosfrom other websites and claim that they have it in stock.
After you make payment you will never hear something from them.

This are the formalities of the imposter
http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/105607170/Cats_Chord_Billi_Ki_Naal_Billi.html

Company Name: Black Magic Spiritual Tantric Products
Street Address: New Goldennest
City: Mumbai
Province/State: Maharashtra
Country/Region: India
Zip: 401105
Telephone: 91-022-9892745771
Mobile Phone: 91 9892745771
Fax: 91
Website: http://www.blackmagichealer.blogspot.com

rshopup@hotmail.com ravi_hhh50@hotmail.com
ramu naidu sathiyam

Life is too good to say no good as GOD blessed all the needs what we want in life. You are best master and guru to know who you are! WE seek advice of spiritual guru to know ourselves whether we attain the spiritual knowledge we are seeking.
We are what we are and what we want in life, are all in us as the Almighty blessed us the best of best to know HIM to the fullest.
GOD is like the divine mother who runs to the aid of her weeping child when he or she cries for her. So when we need something or missing something cry loudly to GOD and HIS help comes to us in some form that astonish us.
All spiritual gurus are Godly form who born again and again to teach us the reality of life so that we do no injustice or harm to any living creature of the CREATOR as HE created us very creative to know HIS simple form of creation.
lena

WOW. Original author here. I am amazed that my comment about money-grubbing so-called spiritualists could spark such an intense discussion. Keep in mind, I live in LA–I encounter the most shamelessly self-aggrandizing hypocrites in the world, because they gravitate to this town.

Nonetheless, I would say I’ve stumbled upon something. My original comment was in passing–I said it because I was annoyed that when I was researching and writing my books, none of the so-called “spiritual gurus” would give me the time of day. Billionaires would. Olympians would. But not the gurus. They were on the lookout for more lucrative, more high-profile opportunities. And yeah, it made me mad. I would expect such behavior from a C-list reality star, but not someone who supposedly lives on a higher plane.

I didn’t intend to make a serious and sweeping social commentary–okay, maybe I did, but I didn’t think anyone would pick up on it. However, now that you have, I’ll give you my opinon, which is that people who are possessed of an overabundance of anything–be it spiritual enlightenment, topical intellect, financial resources, or just plain energy–want to *share*. They don’t want to withold and wait for the highest bid.

The person who wound up doing that interview is one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever met. She’s about 26 years old, a personal trainer, and as far as I know she doesn’t bring obscure Southeast-Asian deities or anything having to do with the Kaballah, into the workplace. However. She’s overcome near-fatal injuries, brain damage, chronic illness and all the emotional difficulties that accompany such things. And her energy is just as bright and sparkly as can be. Regardless of whether she’s being paid for it, her instinct is to inspire and support other people in their pursuit of wellness. To me, this is a real healer, and a reliable source. All the rest of them should go off to Info-mercial Land and never bother me again.

.
Harry

The most Indian healers and guru’s are thiefs.
They use internet to offer ritual items or tantric items to costumers.
This is not okay because they are fraud!
Why they are fraud ?
Let me tell you this:
They buy items on the local market for about 200 Rupees the piece, well that’s a few dollar lets say 4 dollar they put in online in their online spiritual shop for between 100 and 200 dollars the piece.
There are a lot Indians from out of Indian who were brought up with this supernatural tales and so.
That they will buy these items that knowledge is by these fake gurus and healers.
Also there is a guy In India Who is taking advantage of people with problems.
This guy Ravi Singh so called Balck magic healer is offering his service online to everyone who want’s it or not.
He scammed a lot of people also by not sending the paid items.
This guy is a real big scam he is spamming world wide and is also replying on blog with solutions and after wards he scammes the most NRI’s ( not recidential Indians )
Google and you see : Ravi Singh fraud black magic healer.
Also a notice if there is something like a real guru or healer who is offering solutions against poverty, Then why he is not helping his own country because India is a land full of beggars , scammers , thiefs and a hand full of honest people.
If you visit India you will see this text on the most carnumberplates: out of the 100 there are 80 not reliable still is my India very sacred.
So the Indians self now it.
But this is a waning for everybody else.
Watch out for fake gurus And so called black magic healer Ravi Singh fraud !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wakeup All TO The World

Wake UP India is a poor Country if all the socalled GUrus had reall powers
India would not be like it is in the present.
So please dont believe those Fake Gurus who are selling their crap overseas to make good money.
Think ! why they dont help their own Country because they are poor!!!!
So its as easy like that
Like this thief below !
Ravi Singh tel: 91 9892745771 email : Rshopuphotmail.com web Site: Http://blackmagichealer.blogspot.com/2009/04/black-Magic-Healer.html http://blackmagichealer.blogspot.com/2009/04/talisman-Raksha-Kavach-For-Black-Magic.html

Search on google and you will be surprised ( Ravi Sing Black Magic Healer )

Be warned for these internetgangs because they are doing crime in millions
siddharth

all selfish weak person depends on other to fulfill their interest with minimum investment.
all selfish strong person independently invest their full energy to acheive their goal
one must know own limits and remain satisfied with whatever is gain.
Andre D.

Its really easy to download free dharma talks on the internet. Nobody is going to save me from myself. I’ve been going to AA for 20 years and I’m still trying to get clean. Let go and Let god. Or let go of god. Let go of self. Let go of Ego. Just let go! I’ve never really heard any thing beyond the mumbo jumbo for the most part.

Say cheese.
Ramu Naidu sathiyam

When any persons cheat others they are not cheating others but cheating themselves and they will pay very, very heavy prices for their deeds as their final judgement will be judged by GOD.
Ramu Naidu Sathiyam

Hurt none and love all as all our deeds will be judged on final judgement by GOD as such let share the divine love available in abundance with all as one race as all created by GOD.
yog

if you meet a teacher and he ask you for your birthdates etc because he needs to check what mantra suits you . DONT fall for it,he can only then really harm you .

Are most spiritual gurus just money grubbers?

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