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The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power, by Joel Kramer, Diana Alstad
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The Guru Papers demonstrates with uncompromising clarity that authoritarian control, which once held societies together, is now at the core of personal, social, and planetary problems, and thus a key factor in social disintegration. It illustrates how authoritarianism is embedded in the way people think, hiding in culture, values, daily life, and in the very morality people try to live by. The book unmasks authoritarianism in such areas as relationships, cults, 12-step groups, religion, and contemporary morality. Chapters on addiction and love show the insidious nature of authoritarian values and ideologies in the most intimate corners of life, offering new frameworks for understanding why people get addicted and why intimacy is laden with conflict. By exposing the inner authoritarian that people use to control themselves and others, the authors show why people give up their power, and how others get and maintain it.
- Sales Rank: #522345 in eBooks
- Published on: 2012-06-19
- Released on: 2012-06-19
- Format: Kindle eBook
Review
“Easily the most comprehensive, erudite, and timely book … to explore authoritarianism in religion, institutions, power, the family, intimacy and sexual relations, and personal problems such as addiction.… Argue[s] persuasively that any system of values that places tradition and the past above the imperative to question the present is destined to become increasingly lethal.” —San Francisco Chronicle Book Review�
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“A thorough, wide-ranging analysis of the way power has historically been maintained.… A diagnosis of what’s wrong with the world and how to fix it … Its thesis is elegant and nearly unlimited in its ramifications.… [Shows that] authoritarianism is … part of the way we think.” —The New Mexican (Santa Fe)
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“Don’t be deceived by the title. The Guru Papers is about much more than cult groups. A profoundly important critique of the covert authoritarianism of most religions … and of such cultural values as unconditional love, addiction, and 12-step programs … Thought-provoking and radically important …Extraordinarily rich and complex … An important contribution to changing [old paradigms].” —Liberty�
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“Spells out … the dangers of becoming addicted to another’s authority in any sphere of life.” —Times Literary Supplement (London)
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“A breathtakingly profound analysis.… One of the�most deeply insightful works of our time … Nearly every page crackles with statements that … provoked one ‘Aha!’ after another as I saw elements of culture, history, and my own experience from a new perspective that made immediate sense … A magnificent contribution … The most reasonable�and coherent picture of the evolution of religious ideas to date, and brilliant sections on love and control, and … addiction … A vision of spirituality beyond authoritarianism … [and] tremendous contribution to our collective understanding.” —Richard Heinberg, author of Blackout
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“Provocative and thorough.… Unmask[s] the countless manifestations of authoritarianism in our contemporary culture. Cover[s] vast territory … rais[es] all the vitally important questions …It should definitely be placed in the hands of anyone who has been, or is, or contemplates becoming involved with a guru.” —Georg Feuerstein, Yoga Journal
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“Expands the concept of authoritarianism and gives a new slant on the human condition … Shows that to overcome our staggering problems, we must learn to think non-authoritarian … The convincing arguments will make readers re-sort their thinking.” —John Irwin, sociologist, author of The Felon
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“Answers a host of questions about the source of recurring problems.… Unmasks the insidiously pervasive nature of authoritarian values that permeate society … Without awareness of how authoritarianism operates below the level of awareness, we too are likely to become its victims …Perceptive guidelines for detecting hidden authoritarianism and intervention strategies for self-empowerment …Deals with the most fundamental aspects of the Yin and Yang of human nature and the meaning of social community.” —Philip Zimbardo, author of Psychology and Life
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“The questions raised by it are so profound … that they can never be put out of one’s mind.” —The Humanist
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“Don’t let the title fool you … A more apt title would be “Masks of Power” as the book has great relevance for a secular audience as well … [Can] shift readers’ minds in a deep way. [They’re] onto something big … Elegantly articulates many of [our] … unformed thoughts” —Synapse
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“Laser clarity.… Fascinating insights into the leader/follower relationship … [and] the usually veiled authoritarianism embedded in world views and values …One of the most compelling, ‘can’t put it down’ books I’ve read in a long time, [it] offers challenging concepts for egalitarian communities” —Communities Magazine
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“With x-ray analysis and laser precision it discloses authoritarian structures. It expands consciousness of the consciousness journey itself, exposing its ever present darker side … Even offer[s] a flashlight guide through this darkness. Uncompromising in its thesis, sparing no current idol, it is a poignant attack on the illusions of our times.” —Mike Arons, professor emeritus of psychology, West Georgia College
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“Undertake[s] the monumental task of reforming the very basis of civilization.… Step[s] on … nearly every sacred cow …Offers both affirmation and optimism.” —Creative Loafing� (Atlanta)
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“For those … who prefer to have their world grounded in comfortable, familiar dogmas, this book will make their hair stand on end … Dissect[s], with the best scientific rigor, many old standards of belief.” —Fate Magazine
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“Offers new insights for restructuring a more functional and caring society by exposing the cultural authoritarianism that undermines democracy.” —James Austin, criminologist, coauthor of It’s About�Time�
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“Filled with insight …Deconstructs the authoritarianism of modernity … The Guru Papers can help change agents reconceptualize what they are trying to do and how they are trying to do it” —Journal of Organizational Change Management
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“The chapter on addiction presents an exciting and provocative new concept about the origin and process of addiction. A must read for therapists and addiction counselors.” —Ann McKain, past President of The American Academy of Psychotherapists
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“A tour-de-force … Fascinating model of the psychology of addictive behavior … Profound and compelling account of the endless battle between warring aspects of our being—and how we might become whole … Their writings are an indispensable resource in my clinical work.” —Jeffrey Rubin, author of The Art of Flourishing
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“Ambitious treatise [on] the foundation of our social and self-control mechanisms … [The addiction chapter] take[s] on the disease model … and also … ‘responsibility models’ … As a long time researcher … of addiction, I found [it] a refreshing analysis of predominant theories of substance abuse. [Their] own model of the divided psyche and ‘why it feels good to be bad’ was not only original but resonant … Particularly useful regarding the futility of the drug war/punitive approach …” —Marsha Rosenbaum, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
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“Anyone who reads The Guru Papers will be profoundly changed. Its ideas are like a medical laser beam vaporizing cancer cells with the power of truth.” —Steven Hassan, author of Combatting Cult Mind Control �
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“Delivers what it promises … Describ[es how] … �overt and covert authoritarianism can intrude into social, political, and religious beliefs and interfere with normal personality development.… Part II explores subtle, indirect forces in values and beliefs … concealed in what people assume and take for granted …Merits wide readership … highly recommended.” —Cultic Studies Journal
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“Crystal-clear.… �[Goes] deeply into the inherent paradoxes in … world religion … Explain[s] with blistering clarity why we get seduced.” —Whole Earth Review
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“A bold, timely, important book. It can teach us to think responsibly about ‘spiritual’ questions.… Deserves to be a basic text in comparative religion.” —Abraham Levitsky, coauthor with Fritz Perls of The Rules and Games of Gestalt Therapy
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“A contribution of the highest order … Of immense and immediate consequence” —Brain/Mind Bulletin
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“A brilliant book inspiring new insights with each re-reading. Opening it randomly, I’ve received just the wisdom I needed for my next step toward freedom.” —Susan Campbell, author of Getting Real
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“Very important … Simply and elegantly written … One of the most helpful books on psychological oppression of the decade.” —Creation Spirituality
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“Brilliantly analytical, always probing … this adventurous book offers an unflinching view of the structure and psychology of reality.” —John Tytell, author of Naked Angels
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“Explores [how] the struggle for independence … is countered by deeply embedded structures within every aspect of society … and within the individual psyche.” —Noetic Sciences Review
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“Elegantly identifies the masks that power uses to hide its abuse[s] … Hard-hitting practical logic that rips the guts out of sacred cows that have fed too long in pastures provided by a na�ve … population.” —Point Reyes Light
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“Alarming, enlightening, and riveting … Eminently readable … Powerful tools for building a more humane society.” —Merrill Joan Gerber, author of Gut Feelings
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“Subversive … Challenges core beliefs with powerful arguments that seem self-evident … Offers hope … Shows the authoritarian virus is not in the bio-computer, but in the way it’s programmed.” —Timothy Leary, author of Flashbacks
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“A powerful, magnificent book about our own individual integrity beyond any historic and self-appointed authority.” —James Kavanaugh, author of God Lives
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“How authoritarian leaders manipulate followers and why people surrender to them” —Publishers Weekly
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“An essential key to understanding … control and manipulation” —The Bookwatch
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“It’s unusual to find a book that covers [so] much ground … and does it so well.” —Truth Seeker
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“Sheds light on our darkening political spirit … Compelling theory about why we keep taking the same tired approaches, despite their proven failure.” —Magical Blend
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“Displays appropriate irreverence toward all organized religions—with a powerful analysis.” —Paul Krassner, author of Best of the Realist
About the Author
Joel Kramer and Diana Alstad are co-authors of The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power. They have written and taught together since 1974 on evolution, spirituality, relationships, values, awareness, yoga, and social issues. Their Web site is www.joeldiana.com.Joel Kramer, the author of The Passionate Mind, did post-graduate work in philosophy and psychology and was a resident teacher at Esalen Institute (1968-1970). He is a pioneer and legend of modern American yoga whose evolutionary vision of yoga freed it from its authoritarian roots, re-visioning it for the West.Diana Alstad, a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, received a doctorate from Yale University in 1971. She taught in the humanities and initiated and taught the first Women's Studies courses at Yale and Duke. She envisioned the Yoga of Relationship and developed it with Kramer.
Most helpful customer reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful.
Probably my favorite book!
By A Customer
In this logical and stunningly common-sense work, the authors examine human beliefs systems from the perspective of language and authoriatarian hierarchies. 12-step, Satanism, Fundamentalist Christianity, Course-in-Miracles, the systems of "enlightened" eastern gurus... without mercy, Kramer and Alstaad break EACH ONE DOWN to its ROOTS and show that ALL human belief systems are the result of a subtle conceptual dualism in which a behavior or viewpoint is taken as a spectrum, polarized, and then one side is valued over the other. A must read for anyone who suspects they might have been brainwashed, very popular among ex-cultists and guaranteed to make a hardline skeptic of you. "The Guru Papers" is probably my favorite book!
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
This book seems to lack the chutzpah to tackle specific ...
By Rajen N. Bhatt
This book seems to lack the chutzpah to tackle specific cases and instead floats on generalized assertions about cults and the dynamics of power. The vagaries undermine this book unfortunately because the conclusions tend to be somewhat sound if a little watered down.
57 of 65 people found the following review helpful.
One of the most important books for the 21st century,
By Mr. Ford Greene Esq
God. The God of Science, The God of Papal Infallibility, The God of National Security, The God of Family Values, The God of Buddhist Selflessness, The God of Unconditional Love. What are they good for? Absolutely nothing.
The Guru Papers elegantly identifies the masks that power uses to hide its abuse of others. Authoritarianism is the exercise of authority which, presuming an unquestioning obedience, can tolerate neither question nor challenge, meeting either with disregard or punishment. Assiduously distinguishing the everyday exercise of authority - living life and making choices amongst the propositions it presents - from the bullying domination intrinsic to the type of power unwilling to recognize an equal, the authors carefully dissect the threads which, woven together, comprise the cloth of abuse. Whence abusiveness flows, certain features are invariably present.
When a "leader" sets up an ideological standard of perfection or purity that no human being can attain, and our consequent failure of such attainment becomes the raison d'etre for a double standard of treatment whereby the leader gives orders and we obey them, we have lost our freedom, particularly if we believe it is for our own good.
Whenever one pole of a duality is identified as essential to good living and the other pole leads to evil, behind that mask an authoritarian moralist weaves his tale positing that which he believes is most important, that which he says is God. Gurus and religions, politicians and governments, educators and schools, parents and families, and lovers and spouses frequently equate evil with selfishness and goodness with selflessness and sacrifice. They say if I am sufficiently sincere and pure of heart, I will sacrifice what I want for what they tell me is best. Thus, I will be a better man.
There is little difference between the cult leader who demands allegiance to the unproven presumption of his godliness, and the lover who, crying "let me be myself," claims his imperfections should be accepted without limit in the name of unconditional love. When a moral demand for sacrifice is made in the name of something sacred, be it the Immaculate Conception or an Idealized Lover, one best be brave and ask one's questions. If such courage is met with punishment or disregard, one better run. If one does not, one's conduct will communicate that there is something wrong, and it's not with the other guy.
The essence of authoritarianism attacks the inner certainty of individuals by claiming that it knows a superior, more moral path. It not only condemns an individual's assertion of self as selfish and wrong, but also is unwilling to engage in dialogue which does not adopt an unquestioning regard for that which it deems sacred. If an individual adopts this moral dichotomy, he can only mistrust himself as inferior. This, Alstad/Kramer say, is the purpose of authoritarian control: to generate internal self-mistrust which makes the individual available to imposition of control by an external authority.
They correctly expose the deception that such externally imposed control is benevolent. According to Kramer/Alstad, authoritarian persons are never benevolent because such persons use others for their own selfish purposes while lying about it, saying they are not, if they are saying anything at all. "Do as I say, not as I do; and if you dare question what I do, you are questioning what all good people know is beyond reproach. You, too, would have respect if only you were a good person. Since you are not, you must do as I say. It is for your own good." Such is the circle of authoritarian ideology.
The language of authoritarianism is the language that Orwell named double-speak. There's no Orwellian double-speak in this book, just hard-hitting practical logic that rips the guts out of sacred cows that have fed too long in pastures provided by a naive and idealistic population. Such a populace, wanting to be good, denies that someone who directs their focus on great and beautiful-sounding ideals could be ripping them off, as was one of Hitler's more notable tricks.
Thus, the book shows how both the willingness to psychologically dominate, and to surrender to such, are embedded in one another. The dominating and the dominated persons both believe in an unattainable and essential purity which requires extreme sacrifices, both in its name, as well as for its attainment. One person makes the sacrifice, after the other has convinced him he must, erstwhile he would be morally condemned as selfish and self-centered for having disobeyed the other who claims to know best.
The Guru Papers recognizes that both self-centeredness and selflessness exist - you cannot purge the self of selfishness - and must work together in oneself in balance. It forcefully argues why intelligent negotiation is life-affirming whereas dumb submission invites death. It meticulously dissects the myriad protean tricks authoritarianism employs to maneuver its subjects into place and keep them there. Access to information and accountability for one's conduct are essential for the brave new world that might emerge if the reptant strain of authoritarianism in humankind does not destroy this world first in the name of knowing better.
The book says listen to yourself and if you are degraded or expelled for asking questions, recognize that the inadequacy lies with the authoritarian character, not with you. The Guru Papers makes the authoritarian predicates accountable and exposes them when they are not. It's about time!
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