Yes. I do believe that can happen and experienced it in varying degrees. With therapists, the need for books. I guess because there was just so much de-programming I had to do through, haha. But, the key was self-awareness because I would notice how "helpless" I felt without the guidance. And, that helplessness "bothered" me so I sought to gain more independence. I consider myself rather independent, but it is hard when one is starting off on their quest, to not feel the need for that "helping hand" at first. Now that I look back, whatever guidance I became dependent on eventually waned or turned in such a way that detaching from it was the best thing to do, and in the end, that was what was for my highest good. I realized I could also rely on looking within. :-)

Those that seem almost, hypnotic, magical, divine or energizing have an energy flow pattern advantageous to this.

The infinity symbol holds the key. There are just as well those that drain a whole room. Everyone feels like why did they even go to hear that speaker? They feel drained and worse than they did before.

A student should be encouraged to do for it self. To find not how good the teacher is, but the student, is of most importance. The student can not be praised too much or is at a risk of getting addicted to praise. A student can not grow adoration towered the teacher too much or runs the risk of worshipping the teacher. There must be balance, likewise if the teacher grows to love the adoration and crave it then the teacher has become the parasite.

I have attended many retreats with astonishing leaders that have taught me so much. Yes, I left the retreats higher than a kite...but! The leaders were there only for the space of the retreat, and I never experienced the same one twice. I think it is important as a spiritual leader to recognize the sheer power you hold if you are teaching spirituality. Shame on those leaders who lead their flocks astray! Shame on them who make their followers addicted to their teachings! Proper teachers teach, and then send you on to the next teacher.

I thus have put the blame where I think it should go- on that guru or minister or leader. The sheep naturally follow their shepherd. If the shepherd leads off a cliff, so too will the flock go. A good shepherd has a rod (discipline) and a staff (guidance) for his sheep, and uses them. And a good teacher knows when his time is done. He dismisses the student.

Blessings,

Jai

Yes, you definitely can. It is similar in the way as to how people turn to cigarettes and alcohol for instant relief which is only temporary.

Personally, I have had the good fortune to come in contact with a person who was psychic and spiritual in nature, and what I learnt from him was that the teacher can only teach you so much, but everything else is actually up to you yourself.

For instance, the teacher might say that you are going to win lottery today, but if you do not even take the effort to purchase a lottery ticket, then there is almost no way for you to win that lottery.