Transcendance Show
2Jun2003 Filed under: ObservationsWhere does the line between spiritual advisor and narcissist rest? Can you be a spiritual healer while also being a performer? If you preach love and loss of ego, can you do it while standing in the center of a circle, asking people to listen? Cult of personality obviously plays a vital role in many pious religious leaders’ appeal, but where does the ego stop, and the spirit begin? And is it so wrong of me to believe that those who know the most speak the least?
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6 Responses to “Transcendance Show”
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Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
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leblanc
June 3rd, 2003 at 9:44 am
that question has often been asked about all religious gurus- from Buddha to Jesus to Mother Theresa - are there really any “selfless” acts? i think it’s totally possible to be selfless while standing at the center of a circle of followers - however, it’s a gift that few have, and therefore a trademark of a true spiritual leader if they do have it.
donut
June 3rd, 2003 at 11:09 am
My personal feeling is that, when the true revolution comes, there will be no leader. I’m not sure how it will work yet, though.
Simone
June 3rd, 2003 at 4:46 pm
Hmmm…I’m just wondering what brought on this thought. Just curious. It’s reminding me of some yoga teachers and other people in the new age scene (or as my friend says, “newage” –rhymes with sewage). I’m guess I’m leery of people who call themselves “spiritual advisors.” I prefer those quiet folks who seem to know something, and you feel like asking them all the time, “What’s your secret?”
Emily
June 4th, 2003 at 12:33 am
I don’t think leadership is necessarily about being the center of attention. I’ve known quiet, subtle, spiritual people I would say are true leaders for the people around them.
leblanc
June 4th, 2003 at 1:10 pm
the question is, though, if you have the secrets, but never open your mouth to share them, what good are you? this is similar to the buddhist idea of bodhisattvas - those who find “the secret” but instead of going to the “next level” and entering nirvana themselves, they stay to teach others. that’s the main difference between mahayana and theravada sects of buddhism - whether you share you secrets or keep them for yourself.
then comes the question, what would the world be like if jesus and buddha had been “the quiet types”? better, or worse?
Broch
June 5th, 2003 at 1:01 pm
Ariel, spoken pefectly. I couldn’t have said it better myself. This is SOOO apparent at my yoga class, it is sickening.