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Many narcissistic spiritual teachers are covert. They appear to be humble---ego neatly tucked aside, compassionate, carrying deeply about your pain and spiritual transformation--invested solely in your welfare, not theirs. Narcissistic spiritual teachers come in many forms--from those wearing the best suits from Saville Row or others who play most humble in thin threads of simplest design. These spiritual hypocrites are very smooth. They usually have intense eye contact that takes you in and holds you in its grasp. They are often physically attractive and speak with great confidence and vocal power and persuasion. Today there are so many narcissistic gurus to choose from. Many are ensconced in denominations that are familiar; others emerge from eastern disciplines and the new age. One thing you know about the narcissistic spiritual teacher is that he or she knows all the answers and can lead you in quick order to liberation, a front row seat in heaven or samadhi.

Narcissistic spiritual teachers are fawned over by followers who are constantly feeding their ravenous egos. These teachers have favorites and in some cases are intimately involved with special followers they have chosen for this purpose. One of the clearest signs that your spiritual guru is narcissistic is the profit motive. Are they charging thousands of dollars for a weekend that will bring you to higher and higher levels of consciousness? Are they insisting (very tactfully, of course) that you go to the next stage of enlightenment by signing up for more courses. Are they pressuring you to spread the word to possible applicants for which you will receive monetary remuneration?

If you find that all of these factors or most of them are in play with a particular person or group, you are most likely dealing with a narcissistic spiritual teacher. Use your intuition to make this discrimination. Don't let anyone pressure you. If you have doubts, listen to them. To learn about every facet of the narcissistic personality disorder, visit my website: www.thenarcissistinyourlife.com

Linda Martinez-Lewi, Ph.D.

Telephone Consultation: United States and International

Book: Freeing Yourself from the Narcissist in Your Life  

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Email: lmlphd@thenarcissistinyourlife.com