taking your power back
I’ve been thinking about the modern world and the great resurgence of shamans, gurus, psychics, prophets, and healers of all kinds. I am deeply grateful that these avenues toward healing are once again finding acceptance in our culture.
However, this revival has also led to a watering down of what it truly means to embody each of those sacred titles. More people are self-assigning these roles without putting in the requisite work. This makes it difficult to find a leader who is genuinely dedicated and operating from a place of service, not just from ego or for financial gain.
In a world where a title can be bought, rather than earned is a great disservice to everyone, and it can lead to disastrous consequences. I have seen “spiritual leaders” act from a place of ego, feeding their own need for recognition or manipulating others to gain personal validation.
"If you have felt the sting of disappointment from a leader who failed to act with integrity, please remember this: their actions are a reflection of their own character, not a flaw in the path itself. They are the exception, not the rule. "When a leader's actions lack integrity and leave you feeling disillusioned, refuse to let that one experience define your entire journey. For every inauthentic voice, there are countless genuine teachers and healers dedicated to sharing their gifts with sincerity, honor, and pure goodwill."
I heard a really great saying from an inspiring teacher ( Aaron Doughty ) that I find myself saying quit often - not sure if he coined it or what but it carries a deep truth
he said " Be the Guide not the Guru"
One of the greatest disservices we can do to ourselves, and to those we admire, is to place them on a pedestal. When we elevate someone to an untouchable, idealized status, we are no longer seeing them as a person but as a projection of our own hopes. This inevitably sets us up for disappointment, because no human can bear the weight of perfection. The moment they reveal a flaw or make a mistake—as all humans do—the pedestal crumbles, and our disillusionment can feel like a betrayal. Simultaneously, this act is incredibly unfair to the person we admire. By putting them in a box of infallibility, we deny them the grace to be multifaceted, to evolve, or even to fail. We strip them of their full humanity, forcing them into a rigid role that stifles their own growth and prevents any chance of a genuine, authentic connection with them.
When we take time to really evaluate the difference between the inevitable flawed leader who leads with integrity and good intentions and the ones who are less than honorable, we can strengthen our own discernment.
"To truly take responsibility for your life, you must lead with wisdom and discernment. This allows you to seek out guidance that reveals paths to inner freedom. From there, it's about activating your power of choice and putting into practice the very behaviors that will carry you toward your goals."
"When we face betrayal or deep discomfort, we have a powerful choice. We can view these moments not as mere setbacks, but as spotlights, illuminating the exact areas of our lives that require attention and growth. This shift in perspective allows us to gain profound personal insight, strengthening our ability to trust our own intuition and confidently navigate our path forward."