In Defense of the Guru Principle

by Andrew Cohen

Discusses the author's experience as a spiritual mentor and the challenge that this role presents when lived without compromise. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 188392927X
• ISBN13: 9781883929275
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Moksha Press
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.6" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Some reviewers here...

Are taking Mr. Cohen's message quite personally and are responding in a way that can only be described as venomous. It also shows that Mr. Cohen has succeeded in proving the whole point of the book, as well as providing proof that many of these reviewers haven't even READ the book and are trolls of the worst sort.That being said, I cannot possibly add anything to the positve reviews of this book except to say that Western minds may be permanantly impaired in their grasp of the guru concept, and can only equate this type of leadership with mindless cult worship. With that being the bottom line thinking of some individuals (who always claim they can't "fall under the spell") it is doubtful that an objective viewpoint is possible. Following a guru implies the humility to do so, which cannot be possible for some. If you find this humilty in yourself, you might be ready for the message shared in this book and gain a great deal of clarity in the process. A background and understanding in Eastern spiritual principles (such as Hindu and Buddhist philosophy) is highly recommended before sinking your teeth into this one.

Legacies of guruism

I do not know anything about A. Cohen and, although I do not approve of the guru principle, will leave judgement in neutral, since I read the book, and do in fact find a book with this title provocative and interesting. Instead of the usual cavil of the alarmist deprogrammer circuit, I would simply point to the recent of history of gurus, and the remarkable wreckage, from Gurdjieff, to Rajneesh, Muktananda, Da Free John, and more. A unique series of failures. What's going on? Something is wrong. The Upanishads clearly warn of what can go wrong. Don't be on the wrong end of that. I notice in all defenses of the principles of yoga, gurus and the New Age India phenomenon (which I don't reject out of hand)nothing is said about the history. Not surprising, but disingenuous. That history should be there. It is a truly frightening history for anyone about to surrender their will to a stranger. To excise that history is prima facie evidence the guru phenomenon is for the sake of the guru, not the disciple. A 'guru' in this vein tends to be in the line of post-Buddhist neo_Brahmanistical line, after the savagery of internecine 'guru wars', the extermination of Buddhists, the restoration of Vedic and caste, etc... A work such as Prem Nath Bazaz _The Role of the Bhagavad Gita in Indian History_ gives one type of chilling account of the forever suppressed history, which includes the confusions built even into the Gita. So what is what here? Study the history. And keep in mind that the West was the last place on this planet, as of 1500, that had no guru domination principle. Sooner or later they will find you. Be prepared. Be informed, and not by those promoting these subjects. Study the history. Know the dangers, which in some cases are considerable. Whatever the guru principle is, it has no sancrosanct character whatever and threatens to complicate the realization of one's autonomy.To try revive the tradition of the 'godmen' of this reactionary tradition in the modern age is the useless confusion. It is not sufficient to claim ignorance of this history.Perhaps Mr. Cohen would care to comment on the 'spiritual alavery' theme of Mr. Lee Lozowick,or the dangerous tactics of Mr. E.J. Gold before he recommends gurus for us.