The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power (Paperback)

~ (Author), Diana Alstad (Author) "Change has become a rallying cry worldwide..." (more)
Key Phrases: inner authoritarian, authoritarian worldview, hidden dualism, The Authoritarian Roots of Addiction, The Seductions of Surrender, Eastern Oneness (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A thorough, wide-ranging analysis of the way power has historically been maintained." -- The New Mexican

"Discusses how authoritarian leaders manipulate followers and why people surrender to them." -- Publishers Weekly

"Don't be deceived by the title. The Guru Papers is about much more than cult groups." -- Liberty

"Easily the most comprehensive, erudite, and timely book in print to explore authoritarianism..." -- Keith Thompson of The San Francisco Chronicle Book Review

"Spells out at length the dangers of becoming addicted to another's authority in any sphere of life." -- London Times Literary Supplement

Review

"Easily the most comprehensive, erudite, and timely book in print 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."
—Keith Thompson of The San Francisco Chronicle Book Review

"Spells out at length the dangers of becoming addicted to another's authority in any sphere of life."
—London Times Literary Supplement

"A thorough, wide-ranging analysis of the way power has historically been maintained...Purports to be no less than a diagnosis of what's wrong with the world and how, not merely to fix it, but to save it. Its thesis is elegant and nearly unlimited in its ramifications...[Shows that] authoritarianism is not merely a political phenomenon. It's part of the way we think."
—The New Mexican

"Discusses how authoritarian leaders manipulate followers and why people surrender to them."
—Publishers Weekly

"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 or cult."
—Yoga Journal

"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 twelve-step programs...Thought-provoking and radically important...Extraordinarily rich and complex...[It]can make an important contribution to [changing the old paradigms] if enough people...take it to heart and mind."
—Liberty

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Frog Books; 1St Edition edition (May 20, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883319005
• ISBN-13: 978-1883319007
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #386,132 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably my favorite book!, October 8, 1997

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!

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you belong to ANY church, group or teaching...READ THIS!, May 4, 1999

By A Customer

This book is a must-read for anyone and everyone who has ANY spiritual belief system. The authors succeed in removing the scales from the eyes of all of us who follow or have followed ministers, spiritual teachers or gurus who are stealing our money or power ... with our unwitting permission! The bottom line is that NO spiritual teaching requires a teacher, minister or guru, only a personal devotion to our chosen belief system and/or scriptural texts, and our own relationship with and understanding of our deity. Get that guru out of your head and out of your wallet! He's a middleman who is more than likely robbing you blind while playing games ... with your life!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most amazing books I have ever read, November 1, 1999

By A Customer

This book has completely changed my life and way of thinking. I can't say enough about it. I'm reading it for about the fifth or sixth time now. This book contains the seeds of a real awakening for some people. If you have an interest in spirituality, gurus, etc., as I have, then you may be surprised by what you find here! I am forever grateful for having accidentally found this book!