Re: Why do supposedly 'enlightened' people form $$$ organizations

an interesting question

often, it seems, the organisations are created by devotees if one considers the infrastructure that exists around some 'saints'

although, in the case of gangaji, the structure of a foundation was created to ensure she is available and to disseminate dvds and video tapes of satsang into prisons etc

in that application, it seems to be simply a pragmatic option

isaac, my teacher, offers satsang by donation - always has - and seems to do well financially - but without any intention to do so 

i offer satsang by 'recommended donation' - without any strictures on it - and don't do so well financially - but have a marketing company that supports me 

at the end of the day, i guess it comes down to a distinction i would make between being 'awake' and being genuinely 'enlightened'

the west has spawned a great number of 'teachers' in recent times [myself among them, seemingly] from the stream of self-enquiry

and i would suggest that the quality of the teacher can be determined by the quality of the teaching

in short, someone who is 'teaching' is unlikely to be genuinely enlightened - regardless of what publication, website, seminar series, retreat or practise they are seen to be associated with

all teachings are of the mind - all ideas begin and end in the mind - so wherever there is a story being told, it's more likely to be someone who has woken up, than someone who is 'fully cooked' as papaji used to say

as for the traditional principles of enlightenment - i guess that presumes that enlightenment has principles

sri prabubad [i know i spelled that incorrectly] who founded the modern krisna movement, once said if you have to give people meat to get them to eat prasad,  give them meat

cameron