How To Spot a CULT !

CULT LEADER: Charismatic and Narcissistic

AUTHENTIC MASTER: Gentle and Open and Altruistic

CULT LEADER : Ability to read and hypnotize people

AUTHENTIC MASTER: Sensitive and Intuitive

CULT LEADER: Good at spotting easily controllable followers - like Co dependent personalities

AUTHENTIC MASTER: Only wants sincere Truth seekers.

CULT LEADER : Smarter and Holier than anyone else

AUTHENTIC MASTER: You are just as holy as your Guru, whose job it is to make this conscious for you.

CULT LEADER : Unquestioning obedience expected. Punishment for disagreeing with the leader.

AUTHENTIC MASTER: Respect and kindness expected and given. The Master likes to be challenged.

CULT LEADER : Often lives lavishly.

AUTHENTIC MASTER: Usually lives simply.

CULT FOLLOWERS: Psychologically dependent on leader.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA FOLLOWERS: Independence is encouraged and the goal.

CULT FOLLOWERS: Can never reach same status as the leader.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA FOLLOWERS: An authentic Guru will show the follower that he or she is of the same Divine Nature as the Master. The ultimate goal is to bring you to a place where you know, trust and are guided by your own inner Satguru.

CULT FOLLOWERS: Trust Sangha blindly.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA FOLLOWERS: Trust the Divine within yourself.

CULT FOLLOWERS: Leaving is difficult and coupled with threats: “Bad things will happen”

AUTHENTIC SANGHA FOLLOWERS: Leave whenever you want. You will be blessed and wished well. If your behavior is impolite you may be asked to leave.

CULT FOLLOWERS: Do not question why those who left left. Us v.s. them mentality.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA FOLLOWERS: Ask any questions you like. God loves everyone equally.

CULT FOLLOWERS: Putting outsiders down – Elitist mentality.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA FOLLOWERS: If others are talked about - it is emphasized that we are all Divine Nature - just more or less hidden by ego. Bless your enemy and forgive them..

CULT SANGHA: Invitation starts innocently. Builds to pressure to join and stay.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA: The Master invites sincere Truth seekers. You choose length of stay.

CULT SANGHA: Instant friendship and love. Flatter you – taking advantage of the human need to be loved, feel safe and belong.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA: You are treated with impersonal sincere love, respect and kindness. Absolutely no flatter. As much as possible an authentic Master relates not to your person or ego or it’s needs or stories – instead he or she speaks directly with your Divine Nature.

CULT SANGHA: Isolation - Separation from society. Interaction with outsiders discouraged.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA: Your social life your choice. The only loyalty inspired is the one to the Divine, which exists within you AND everyone else. The Divine is within Sangha members, within all sentient beings outside the Sangha, and within people who commit dark acts as well.

CULT SANGHA: Dividing families.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA: You chose your relationships. Your choice is always an opportunity for healing and growth. An authentic sangha is a place where healing and growth is supported via kindness, respect and love for all human beings.

CULT SANGHA: Controls your entire life and schedule. Expect you to devote time and work.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA: You chose how you want to spend your time. You chose how you want to contribute.

CULT SANGHA: Exploitation - Give your money. Pre occupation with raising money.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA: No charge above what is necessary to cover food and housing. The Sangha may raise money, but in an ethical manner, the Sangha is usually a non profit. Living arrangements for both Master and followers is usually simple.

CULT SANGHA: Humiliation in front of other members

AUTHENTIC SANGHA: Absolutely Not.

CULT SANGHA: Confession sessions of past sins required.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA: Absolutely not. But if it feels important to a sangha member to expose something it will be received with respect, empathy and compassion.

CULT SANGHA: Brainwashing. Sleep deprivation. Inflow of knowledge controlled.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA: Learn what you want. Believe what you want. Get good sleep.

CULT SANGHA: Sexual favors, rituals or pre-occupation.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA: Absolutely not. Intimate relations between sangha members is their own choice. Sexual relations with the Master is 100% out of place and inappropriate.

CULT SANGHA: Secrecy and Fear based.

AUTHENTIC SANGHA: Openness and Love based.