Recognizing False Guides

By Mary Katherine Hawk

It’s an idea that most people are taught about at some point in their lives. We are all warned to watch out for the false teachers of life, the false guides. Some may recognize the word “trickster” as a being or figure that tries to lead you astray after playing on your senses. Others may recognize the “wolf in sheep’s clothing” analogy. The idea behind these teachings is to keep us alert of things or people that may present themselves as one thing but lead us in a direction that is not meant for us individually or collectively. They may lead with ego and eccentricity, making you think that they must be free and hopeful, not careless and self-centered. They put on a great front to draw you in and then pull out the knife the moment you are comfortable enough. These figures can show up in every part of our lives as friends, partners, literal teachers, spiritual figures, political figures or even health care practitioners. In my own career, I see them more and more often in the wellness industry as the industry grows and draws in more people aiming to express what they believe is their life’s purpose or mission. The problem is that this growing, vibrant arena is prime target for ego, materialism, and false teaching of individualism on steroids. “Embrace your badassery!” they say. “Good vibes only” they say. In reality, they love the show and glamour while the lights are on but the moment the show is over, they care nothing for the mess they leave in their wake. Usually, these false teachers rarely do their own inner work or self-healing properly and it always seems to show up in their hypocritical actions. 

Spiritualism and the new age community has been a giant vacuum for these false figures to such an extent that entire communities of genuine practitioners and seekers have completely walked away from what was being built and all that has been left are numbers of seekers, isolated and alone on their paths. There has been lots of names for these fake spiritualists such as “plastic shamans” that love to play the act and be a part of the experience but usually don’t really care about how they contribute in the end or how their participation may or may not cause harm in the long run. The most widely recognized arena in recent years was the Ayahuasca ceremony seekers. Ayahuasca is an immensely sacred plant that has been used in closed healing and ritual in some Peruvian tribes for many years. Due to the incredible draw and hype created by mostly white American or European Ayahuasca seekers, Peruvian tribes have increasingly seen a shift in their traditions and communities. More and more tribal members wanting to get in on the influx of money from Ayahuasca ceremonies have been showing up over the years, advertising themselves as Ayahuasca ceremony leaders or even shamans. Many are not taught directly or even indirectly from elders as tradition dictates and tradition gets overlooked and lost. In the wake of these “pop up shamans” is a growing harm to entire tribes and families. In at least one instance, a very well-loved and highly regarded spiritual elder in Peru was brutally murdered by a foreign  seeker. As a result of the seekers inability to get proper mental and emotional help, he ended up brutally murdered by the tribe after they found their beloved elder dead. 

As mentioned earlier, the wellness industry has become the great new arena for these harmful practitioners. Specifically, the yoga industry. There has been a huge influx of teachers, nationwide that have been drawn to this latest gold rush and ego is having a hay day! In my own experience, I have invited one into my own business to show them how to boost their space, what avenues to find help, and even all the right people to talk to. I liked their posts, supported their events and even took the time to attend some. The next thing I knew, one of these teachers went behind my back and started actively recruiting people from my own team. In one instance, at a local festival I attended with one of my team members, my therapist was approached by this teacher while simply walking by, knowing full well where they worked. At first you may say “well that’s business” but in an industry that runs of preaching ethics, well-being and claiming to help others, it’s a direct contradiction and it’s a huge red flag. "Just business" in the wellness industry and spiritual community is the gateway to Reformations and destruction of entire tribes. It’s never just business when you’re dealing with people’s health as a means of income. If you’re not ok with a doctor lying or giving you drugs for a condition you don’t have, then you should be holding all wellness and health practitioners to the same standard. Even massage therapists and yoga instructors. 

As an herbalist, every single student is taught that when you harvest a plant in the wild, you should only take what you need and to leave the rest so that the plant may continue to grow and thrive. As a “healer” or guide, the medicine is understood to come from within the ones we are guiding and not from us. We simply guide and inspire. If we are claiming to do the healing, then it’s our ego talking. Trying to detract from others so you can shine is a quick indicator. If a business owner in the healthcare or wellness industry can’t prosper in their role without taking from others, then they are not healing, teaching or leading at all. They are relying on the gifts of others and they are creating a toxic, distrustful and broken community of health seekers in their wake. What’s more, if these false teachers can’t create organically with original works, then they are only taking the whole plant. A guide, a healer, a shaman, a teacher, a therapist is a role that carries the light. A candle does not go out when it’s used to light another flame. The abundance comes from within. That’s why it’s vital they heal their own wounds first. 

All in all, this topic is one that comes up as a problem generation after generation, year after year and probably will always be a problem because that’s the nature of life. It’s vital that the conversation always be remembered and returned to again and again though.