Watching out for hidden hooks

[Questioner]

Here's a thought: A skillful thief who chooses you for a mark will study your habits, deduce your weaknesses and then play upon them. Therefore, one protective measure is to be aware of your own capacity to be seduced.

Years ago I used to attend a local satsang of a narcissistic guru. While driving there I would have foreboding, but when I meditated there I would have feelings of such deep satisfaction. I asked a psychic (whom I saw now and then in those days) about the contradiction and she told me that when I would meditate there I would be taken to a place in the inner planes where I would feel very powerful.

I believe that's a common hook for cults, and for almost any type of abuser. A small portion of truth is used out of context, as bait. Perhaps your guru either copied or discovered something true about meditation. That truth was then wrapped it up inside rules about that truth demanding your allegiance to everything about the guru, whether or not it was helpful to you. In other words, the entree was a poison burrito with tasty salsa.