Steve, I cannot see behind the curtain but I've always wondered about the man in front of it
That is what Brock would call an archetype. One that he knows and admires like we do Babaji. When Toto comes you will also see the man behind the curtain. He operates everything here. He is not an archetype. He will not be able to give you anything that you do not already have.
Life is full of misunderstandings but when we get irritated with one another it is best to take a break. How do i know what is in someone's mind and heart? We talk in symbols we understand with our inner ear. That ear listens intuitively and practices kindness knowing that there are many times we 'think' it is our intuition. Until we are fully enlightened it is best to give others the benefit of the doubt. The mind however follows very convoluted pathways of rationalization. Often it is very evident in people's reactions.
It is important to remember that the gurus played practical jokes on devotees and I have personally had them do it to me. So while we respect them they also wanted us to laugh.