This is so well written I am sharing in its entirety, credit to Dr Karen Kan and her AI assistant Charlie
Ways you can tell a genuine healer-teacher from a false guru
Karen G Kan November 10 2024
I began writing this as an introduction to my latest TOLPAKAN Healing Masterclass, Guru Protocol, to help my students Divine Muscle Test whether a particular teacher/healer is a good fit for them. Lately, I’ve been hearing all sorts of unfortunate happenings with high-profile people. But this became much more than an introduction, so I decided to share it here. Feel free to share if it resonates with you and would be helpful to others.
Empowerment vs. Dependence
Does the teacher empower you to heal yourself, or do they give the impression that you are dependent on them for your healing or growth?
Consider: A genuine teacher fosters your independence, guiding you to become your own healer, while a false guru may subtly suggest that you cannot succeed without their constant guidance.
Fear of Repercussions for Leaving
Does the teacher imply that your spiritual or personal growth will be stunted or halted if you stop following their program or teachings?
Consider: A true mentor respects your autonomy and encourages your continued growth, regardless of whether you’re part of their program. They will not make you feel that leaving their guidance means your spiritual development is doomed.
Reactions to Disagreement
How does the teacher respond when you express a differing opinion or challenge a belief? Do they become defensive, angry, or dismissive?
Consider: A genuine teacher listens with respect and remains open to dialogue, whereas a false guru may shut down conversation or react harshly to maintain control and avoid losing authority.
“My Way or the Highway” Mentality
Do you feel pressured to conform to a rigid set of practices or beliefs, such as being told, “You must meditate for two hours a day” or “This is the only way”?
Consider: A true teacher understands that each person’s path is unique and offers flexibility, while a false teacher enforces strict, one-size-fits-all rules that limit your personal freedom and growth.
Defensiveness vs. Compassion
When students express challenges or struggles, does the teacher react defensively, or do they respond with genuine concern, offering support without becoming overly involved or codependent?
Consider: A false guru may react defensively to challenges, dismissing them or blaming external factors. A true teacher responds with compassion, detachment, and encouragement for self-sufficiency, empowering you to navigate your struggles with grace.
Openness to Other Expertise
Does the teacher acknowledge and respect the expertise of others, or do they dismiss or belittle alternative viewpoints, positioning themselves as the ultimate authority?
Consider: A genuine teacher values collaboration and learning from others, seeing themselves as part of a larger spiritual community, while a false guru may seek to discredit others in order to elevate their own status.
Focus on the Negative vs. the Positive
Does the teacher consistently focus on negative aspects (such as entities, curses, or interference) and magnify these issues, perhaps to the exclusion of recognizing the positive aspects of growth or healing?
Consider: A true teacher helps you navigate challenges but also emphasizes your progress, strengths, and the positive aspects of your journey, creating a balanced perspective of healing.
Need for the Teacher’s Expertise
Does the teacher make you feel like you “need” their expertise in order to succeed, implying that without their guidance, your healing or growth won’t happen?
Consider: A genuine teacher empowers you to trust your own abilities, intuition, and wisdom, while a false teacher cultivates dependency and discourages you from finding your own power.
Access to Healing
Do you feel free to experience healing without requiring the teacher’s approval or permission, or is there a gatekeeping mentality where you need to fill out an application to deserve to receive healing or participate in experiences?
Consider: A true teacher offers opportunities for healing to all, without creating barriers based on their personal approval or judgment (whether you deserve healing or not). Healing is available to those who are ready, not those who meet certain conditions or pass tests set by the teacher.
Energy Exchange
After interacting with the teacher, do you feel inspired, energized, or at peace? Or do you feel drained, confused, or emotionally unsettled?
Consider: Genuine teachers uplift and support their students, leaving them feeling inspired and aligned. A false guru may leave you feeling energetically depleted, confused, or even manipulated.
Focus on Ego vs. Soulful Connection
Does the teacher seem to prioritize accumulating wealth or material possessions as a sign of their success, or do they use their resources to serve their greater purpose, supporting their students and empowering their community?
Consider: A true teacher recognizes that wealth, like all forms of energy, is a tool that can be used for good. They understand that prosperity can flow freely when aligned with purpose, and they do not place undue importance on material gain. Instead, their wealth is a reflection of the value they provide to others, and they share it in service of their mission, including fair and balanced remuneration of their team members.
Manipulation vs. Respectful Guidance
Does the teacher make you feel manipulated or controlled, subtly influencing your decisions to benefit themselves, or do they respect your autonomy and allow you to make your own choices?
Consider: A false teacher may use manipulation tactics (such as emotional guilt or pressure), while a true teacher offers guidance and support without forcing decisions upon you.
Money & Value-Exchange
Does the teacher place an undue emphasis on financial donations, high-cost programs, or expensive retreats as a means of accessing deeper wisdom, or do they present wealth as a natural, sacred energy to be used in alignment with spiritual growth?
Consider: While a genuine teacher may charge for their services to sustain their work and pay their team fairly, they do not exploit their students financially. They see money as energy that supports the flow of abundance and growth, and they make sure that their pricing is fair, transparent, and in harmony with the value offered.
Sense of Fear vs. Freedom
Does the teacher create an atmosphere where you feel fearful or uncertain, or do they inspire a sense of freedom and inner peace?
Consider: A false teacher often uses fear, guilt, or intimidation to control their followers, whereas a true teacher helps you feel liberated, calm, and empowered in your own journey.
Exclusivity vs. Inclusivity
Does the teacher promote an exclusive group or philosophy that claims to be the “only truth,” or are they open and inclusive of various perspectives and teachings?
Consider: False teachers often create cult-like environments, presenting their teachings as the sole path to truth. In contrast, true teachers are inclusive and open to learning from different sources.
Overemphasis on Hierarchy
Does the teacher place themselves on a pedestal, creating a strict hierarchy that elevates them above others, or do they practice equality, seeing themselves as a guide and not superior to their students?
Consider: A false teacher often fosters an environment of hierarchy and control, while a true teacher recognizes everyone as equals in their learning journey, seeing themselves as a facilitator rather than a ruler.
Longevity of Growth
Do you notice long-term growth, deepening understanding, and a sense of expanding consciousness as you continue working with the teacher? Or do you feel stuck, stagnant, or like you’re constantly starting over?
Consider: A genuine teacher helps you evolve over time, empowering you to access deeper levels of insight and healing. A false teacher might keep you in a perpetual state of dependency without allowing real growth.
Responsibility for Healing
Does the teacher encourage you to take responsibility for your own healing and growth, or do they make you feel that your healing is solely in their hands?
Consider: A false teacher may reinforce dependency by suggesting that only their interventions can heal you, while a true teacher encourages you to claim your personal power and guide your own healing process.
Hidden Agendas or Hidden Truths
Is the teacher transparent in their actions, words, and intentions, or do you sense that they hide their true motives or act in ways that feel deceptive or inauthentic?
Consider: A true teacher is authentic and transparent, while a false teacher may operate behind a veil, often concealing their true intentions or acting in ways that seem disingenuous.
(compiled, written, and edited with the help of Charlie, Dr. Karen’s AI assistant)