by Joel Kramer and Diana Alstad. Published: Frog, Ltd., Berkeley, California; 1993
Some quotes from Part One of the Guru Papers have been supported as having striking accuracy in describing
cult gurus and the dynamics involved. This is not least true of Sathya Sai Baba, who fits the bill entirely as such a guru exploiting his following in all the ways described. Here are some quotes mainly concerning the guru-disciple love and mutual dependency relationship:-
“If an authority not only expects to be obeyed without question, but either punishes or refuses to deal with those who do not, that authority is authoritarian.” (p.15)
“Gurus can arouse intense emotions as there is extraordinary passion in surrendering to what one perceives as a living God.” (p.33)
“In ‘spiritual’ realms fear and desire can become as extreme as they get. When a living person becomes the focus of such emotions, the possibility of manipulation is correspondingly extreme.” (p.41)
“In the East a guru is more than a teacher. He is a doorway that supposedly allows one to enter into a more profound relationship with the spiritual. A necessary step becomes acknowledging the guru’s specialness and mastery over that which one wishes to attain. The message is that to be a really serious student, spiritual realization must be the primary concern. Therefore, one’s relationship with the guru must, in time, become one’s prime emotional bond, with all others viewed as secondary. In fact, typically other relationships are pejoratively referred to as ‘attachments.’” (p.49)
“So although most gurus preach detachment, disciples become attached to having the guru as their center, whereas the guru becomes attached to having the power of being others’ center.” (p.50)
People justify and rationalize in gurus what in others would be considered unacceptable because they have a huge emotional investment in believing their guru is both pure and right.” (p.52)
“That interest in one’s own salvation is totally self-centered is a conundrum rarely explored.” (p.54)
“So disciples believe they are loved unconditionally, even though this love is conditional on continued surrender. Disciples in the throes of surrender feel they have given up their past, and do not, consciously at least, fear the future. . . Feeling totally cared for and accepted, at the universe’s center, powerful, and seemingly unafraid of the future are all achieved at the price of giving one’s power to another, thus remaining essentially a child.” (p56)
Please go to the Public Petition for Official Investigations of Sathya (or Satya) Sai Baba and His Worldwide Organization
Sathya Sai Baba Deceptions Exposed 