See, cult is just a synonym for religion or spiritual path. It is a useless word because it does not really say anything. It is like saying my old religion was a butthole. You might as well say that as say it is a cult. As long as the mind seeks outward, it will have to get involved with cults. When the mind goes inward, that is the true cult.
i agree with you brock.. when the mind goes inward. The big question that follows though is... how does the mind go inward? How and who has the ability to help us do this? Is it something that can be done entirely on our own? Or is it something that requires the help of others as most things do.
I believe that one of the big lessons we are learning on the spiritual path is to let go of our venerations. To let go of the worship we give for certain people and experiences. Perhaps all religions are cults. Yet my experience is that we begin to associate more with those who are closer and closer to the truth and leave more and more of the old worn out people from the past behind. Somethings and people withstand the test of time better then others. There have been times in our lives when what was best for us and what represented the truth the most we have rejected. Some friends and paths/religions have more to offer and are of a higher truth.
