Exploitative Spiritual Teachers - Red Flags To Be Mindful Of

There are many spiritual teachers and guides out there in today’s world. And unfortunately, there are some who are deceptive, exploitative, and their intentions and unfortunate deeds are hidden in plain sight.

They can be married with children. They can be life coaches, yoga teachers, group facilitators, gurus, yogis..etc. They come from all kinds of religions and spiritual traditions, and aren’t a one-size-fits-all experience. Some are married with children, some are trusted by many, charming, provide helpful teachings, and are popular.

I personally, have crossed paths with an exploitative teacher on my journey, and thankfully, got away as quickly as possible as soon as I realized that my trust was being abused.

Given my experience, as well as the accounts of abuse I have heard over the years about numerous teachers, I would like to share some of the spiritual teacher red flags to be mindful of as you navigate your kundalini process.

My intention isn’t to promote fear, but to provide insight, clarity and useful information. I share this because from what I’ve witnessed, I understand that many people can experience quite a bit of vulnerability on the spiritual path, and would like to invite people in a loving way, to be mindful and realistic about what their vulnerabilities might be when choosing a spiritual teacher.

Potential Signs of Exploitative Behavior in Teachers

-There is something that just feels off. This feeling keeps coming up for you.

-You may have visions or intuitive insights about their intentions. Be mindful of these.

-They might love bomb you or other students. (They give you compliments, make doting remarks, or tell you that you are special and unlike anyone else.)

-They victimize you. (They may tell you that you are wounded, sad, or traumatized even when you feel happy and peaceful.)

-They might begin to push your boundaries to serve their own needs or desires.

-They ask you to keep things secret (between you and them only.)

-They invite you to be alone with them where no one else can see you, at suspicious hours or in suspicious places.

-They may begin to call you names that feel uncomfortable.

-They may subtly and/or boldly put you or other students/members down.

-They gaslight or manipulate you. You begin to doubt your perspective around them and might begin to feel confused or cornered.

-Once they’ve gained your trust, they may begin to ask you to do things that you feel uncomfortable doing. These can be small things at first.

-If they are heterosexual, they may have more members of the opposite sex around them than they do the same sex. They might give more of their time and energy to young, attractive people, regardless of gender. (This doesn’t always have to be the case, of course.)

-They may openly talk about sex in a way that feels suspicious, frequently, or as if it is subtly presented as an invitation.

-They may speak of divine love, humility and renunciation, but something about them seems power hungry. (sex, success, excessive commercialism, adoration, and/or vanity.)

-You hear complaints or suspicions from friends, students, or members regarding the integrity of the teacher.

-Critics are not allowed, and can be isolated or targeted.

-You begin to feel socially isolated. (i.e. “I know that if I told my friends or family about this behavior, then it could harm the teachers reputation.” or “If I tell other students or members about the teachers behavior, they wouldn’t believe or take me seriously.”)

-You might feel, or eventually begin to feel that in order to be happy, enlightened, or included, you must be willing to give up something to the teacher or the group that would be a detriment to your safety or emotional well-being. (Sex, drugs, money, inhumane/unfair acts.)

-The teacher gives you an ultimatum. They tell you that If you do or don’t do ________, then something very horrible will happen to you. (“If you leave the teacher, then you will go to a hell realm for 6 million lifetimes.”)

-The teacher allows members or students to put them on a pedestal.

-Anything goes in their teachings. Or the teacher creates flimsy rules that contradict or bend their teachings in order to better serve themselves.

What To Do When You Encounter Difficulty With a Teacher

-Do not be afraid to let teachers know early on if something makes you feel uncomfortable, or that your boundaries are being crossed in a given moment. If they are a good teacher, they would give utmost care to honoring your boundaries. (Also, be mindful if you notice that they are beginning to be crossed. Sometimes, the student/client/member/devotee can sense that a line has been crossed, but by the time it has, they have already given their trust to the teacher, and so they overlook the internal warning.)

-Remember that it is perfectly healthy and common to question the integrity of any spiritual teacher. Speak to someone you trust, or know who would give you an unbiased opinion on the teacher if you suspect anything.

-If you feel that the safety of yourself or anyone else is in jeopardy, then find safety as quickly as possible and contact the appropriate trusted people or professionals to assist you.