It's easy to be a false guru

The movie "Kumare" (http://goo.gl/IZrC4) is a must-see.  The filmmaker was skeptical of gurus in general and so experimented with becoming a guru himself.  He made up some unique teachings and practices on his own, dressed for the part, adopted a guru-like accent and hit the road.  He was highly successful at gathering followers.

It's demonstration of how trivially easy it is to become a fake spiritual leader.  Here's another example of how easy it is: http://goo.gl/DZc0Z.  Derren Brown is a "mentalist".  Mentalism is a branch of stage magic wherein the performer emulates having supernatural abilities.  Brown is using trance and suggestion to induce "spiritual experiences" (See "How did he do it?" at http://goo.gl/u9fNj).

What Brown and the Kumare filmmaker are both demonstrating is how trivially easy it is to start a cult.  Either of them could have continued on to cement their hold over their followers.