Posturing, is a biproduct of inauthenticity. This SHADOW INNER ADULT aspect, also known as the Inauthentic Handler has become rampant in many spiritual communities. These types of “Shadow Teachers” will often end up doing more harm than good in the long run.
Posturing is defined as a speech, action, or behavior that is artificial or hypocritical which is calculated to mislead. It is intended to attract attention and interest, or to make people believe something that is not true often to uplift one’s own status or credibility. It is attention-seeking and showing off.
This includes tactics like: name dropping, credibility by association, parroting, copying, misappropriating content, boasting, and grandstanding under the guise of healing. “Look at me,” “See what I know.” “Look what I can do.” “I am so important and powerful because I am associated or study with this talented or popular teacher.”The individual may even lie or mislead you about the significance of their associations.
Pay attention to so called “teachers” who need to garner attention and grandstand their spiritual prowess or position at your expense. These tactics are often hard to spot because the unchecked Inauthentic Handler is a Master of Deception. On the surface, they may say all the right things, tell stories to demonstrate and elevate their position or their abilities, know all the right people, and be involved in all the right environments.
But, like any good hustle, there is a limit to what is offered. And if you dig deeper, you will discover the presentation is part of a sales pitch, or a performance to get attention which has little to do with deeper healing, caring, or talent. This type of lesser teacher usually wants more from you than they are actually giving and is more interested in feeding their ego image in the spotlight at all costs.
This is often difficult to identify because the teacher who is posturing often does have some talent, and can offer value, but their hunger for greed, self-importance, and vanity will always diminish whatever value or talent they were offering. They can’t be trusted.
One of the most powerful tactics of the Inauthentic Handler is their use of “half or partial truths” because a half-truth and omission is the best way to mislead you to believe in the story they are selling.
This is especially dangerous because a spiritual seeker desperately wants to believe in someone who can help them; they need the guidance; they are often emotionally compromised which makes it difficult to see the truth; they might be at their lowest point in their life, and they are only looking for help. In that compromised position the spiritual seeker is the perfect prey to a “shadow teacher”.
It takes years of study, training, guidance, and practice to truly embody and master anything. If someone is teaching something after a weekend class or adding a skill or content to their repertoire days after acquiring the information, then they DO NOT EMBODY the TEACHINGS. Even though they may seem to understand the content from an intellectual understanding, it is not a lived experience. This is more about acquiring than it is about embodying. It is more about their image than it is about true learning, caring, or giving.
When challenged, one of the most common justifications I have heard for this behavior goes something like this: “But, I only wanted to share because It was so powerful, and it changed my life.” Consider, how can something really change your life if it is not applied, practiced, and integrated into your being? Anything “taught” from this space of inauthenticity will always be incomplete, lack integrity, and be potentially dangerous.
New information and insight on your journey can create powerful openings and realizations within, but it is virtually impossible to integrate and become masterful at any new skill without repeated practice, practical application, and guidance. It is even more powerful if you receive mentorship from someone who already embodies the teachings. That is the power of a mature mentor who is a living example of their teachings.
A MATURE teacher deeply respects the process of learning when acquiring new ideas, tools, and information by practicing and mastering them before they ever present anything publicly. They deeply saturate themselves in the learning before they offer it.
The most effective teachers are devoted students who have integrity and are devoted to the learning process. They do not believe in short cuts when it comes to mastering a new skill. They respect the need to develop an intimate relationship with the material. How someone treats their learning process will often be reflected in the quality of their teaching.
A MATURE teacher is discerning, careful, and cautious with YOU and your process. They are NOT cavalier or reckless with tools. That type of behavior is NOTcaring or concern for your welfare. It is immature, arrogant, and self-indulgent. On the surface they seem to know what they are doing – but often they do not. That kind of “shadow teacher” is more about themselves and their image – not you.
Don’t ever mistake a shrewd personality or attention seeking for real consciousness and mastery. Don’t believe the hype. What you know or how much you know is never as important as how you embody the living example of what you know.
A truly Embodied Teacher who has authentic confidence in their consciousness, their abilities, and their talent has no need to spiritually posture. The embodied, living example of someone’s abilities, or their awareness always speaks for itself through the transmission of their consciousness.
