The psychology of a guru

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard people complain about those folks constantly hunting for a mentor or a savior—but you know what? Nobody ever talks about the actual people stepping up to play the role of the leader, the guru, the "master," or whatever else they call themselves. Whether they seek out the spotlight or just stumble into it, it doesn't matter. Let's flip the script: tell me, in your opinion, what does it actually take to be a guru? What kind of qualities are we talking about here? What level of personal growth—if that's even a thing—defines someone worthy of that title?

William Foster9 said:Alright, I want you all to tell me what kind of person actually qualifies as a guru—what specific traits they need to carry, where they should be on their personal growth journey, or whatever else you think defines a true guru.

Small as a thumbprint, happy as a lark, and brave as King Arthur...
😬

I’ve certainly encountered plenty of teachers along the way...

If you look at things through a spiritual lens, EVERYTHING and EVERYONE can be our teacher (our guru).

The real catch is that there are very few people actually willing to be STUDENTS.😉

hiddenpuma75, cut out all the everyday philosophy 🙄 just write books—become the next Hemingway or Stephen King and make some serious cash... 😁

As for me? Write about the people who actually command an audience—the ones crowds worship and follow blindly. I’m talking about the Don Juans of the world, the cult leaders, the Popes, those charismatic preachers... or even that one "influencer" type who spends all day brainwashing young girls...

Roger Hall15 said:Tiny as a button, cheerful as a bird, and brave as King Arthur...
😬

I think you might have mixed things up: Rocky was the master, while Hlapić was just the apprentice.😁

Since when did you become such a fan of Hlapić? 🤔

swiftcobra15 said:You’ve got things a bit backward here: Rocky was the true MASTER, while Hlapić was merely an apprentice.😁

And let's not forget, even Geppetto was considered an old MASTER himself.😉

adriatic said:I think you’ve got things a bit mixed up here; John Doe was the mentor, while Jane Doe was just the apprentice.😁

Well, alright then. 😉

Anything goes as long as it's this kind of
It absolutely cannot be 🙂
...

ambereagle642 said:It can be anything you want, as long as it's this kind
but it absolutely cannot be 🙂

OFF TOPIC 👎
😁😁

He can't afford to have an ego...

You can’t take anything at face value when it comes to what that guy claims to be or implies about himself.
😁😁
He certainly isn't. 😉

Austin Hayes66 said:He can't have an ego.

😲

Elon Musk
🙄 🙂 👋

Am I really not allowed to swing by and say hello to the one and only Dr. Elon Musk?😎

🤣 👍
Chuck Norris is always laughing—honestly, what wouldn't make him laugh?! 😉

bistra voda said:I’ve heard this a million times. People love to whine about the followers, but nobody ever talks about the types who step up to be the leader, the guru, the teacher, or the "master"... or even if they're just pushed into it, it doesn't matter. So, come on—tell me what kind of person actually makes a guru? What qualities do they need? What stage of life or growth are they at? What defines a real guru in your eyes?

NOBODY APPOINTS ANYBODY TO ANYTHING. PERIOD.
🙂
👍

hiddenpuma75 said:It could be anything, but it definitely has to be
this way. It just can't be 🙂 .

Have you all noticed one incredibly telling inconsistency within American Christianity?

Virtually every Christian church and denomination is in total agreement when it comes to criticizing "gurus"—and let’s be honest, the word "guru" literally translates to "teacher," which often carries a negative connotation of spreading darkness.

The real issue is that mainstream American Christianity doesn't practice or even value the teacher-student relationship, which is actually vital for an individual's spiritual growth.

Instead, everything seems to revolve around mass appeal. Most Christian rites—like baptism, communion, or confirmation—feel more like cookie-cutter, mechanical rituals rather than reflections of actual spiritual progress.

****
So, here is my point:

Notice how modern Christianity has essentially alienated itself from the student-teacher dynamic, or what we might call intimate spiritual mentorship.

And yet, if you look at the very origins of the faith, that was exactly the model: Jesus and his twelve disciples. That was the quintessential example.

A teacher and his students.😉

It’s fascinating how different spiritual traditions all seem to rely on a similar concept: a central figure who serves as a spiritual guide.

- Gnostics often look to the hierophant

- In Sufism, you have the sheikh or the pir

- Within Hasidic traditions, the role is filled by the tzadik

- Zen practitioners follow a Roshi

- Tibetan Buddhism relies on a Lama

- And in Hinduism, it's the guru

Look, even the desert ascetics had their elders. Most monks have some kind of spiritual guidance, and honestly, even the more "hardline" Christians have them. Someone like a Father Pio or a local judge has their own dedicated following.

It just isn't formalized. Since most official gurus out there are either total frauds or just traditional family figures who exist solely to pass down necessary initiations, it’s not actually a bad thing.

You’re talking about people from other traditions who decided to dive deeper into spirituality, but there isn't much difference there, even when they happen to be Christian. Your average Buddhist, Muslim, or Jew doesn't obsess over finding a teacher any more than an American Christian does. As for those who claim they don't need anyone—well, that's just that classic American attitude where everyone thinks they're a self-made expert who knows better than everyone else. 😁