Beware the Guru!
Certainty is a tempting trap, but you’re better than that.
Gurus hoard knowledge, manipulate their “disciples”, and starve critical thinking skills. They offer certainty in exchange for devotion. But here’s the truth: expertise is not infallible, and anyone who says otherwise is much more invested in their own ego than they will ever be in you.
Gurus are appealing because certainty is appealing. We all know that life is hard, so when we encounter people who offer ANSWERS, we tend to feel relieved. “Here is someone who can tell me what to do! Here is someone who has it all figured out! If I follow their directions, I too will know peace/success/whatever it is they are selling and that makes me feel relieved and safe!” Their certainty becomes my certainty which dissolves the stress of trying to find my own answers. Gurus say “Here is a map! Follow my map!” And maps are (especially when you’re lost in the woods) reassuring.
But when you surrender yourself to the teachings of another, you surrender control! You begin to mimic their experience. You imprint their teachings on your own life, making changes to suit their teachings — but, sooner or later, your struggles continue, because nobody else’s life can be a panacea for someone else’s individual experience.
And even still, followers of the Guru will bend themselves to make the mold fit. We…
