German term (edited): Menschenf�nger

an attempt:

Ken Wilber: Masters, Gurus, Pied Pipers
Ken Wilber: Spiritual Teachers, Gurus, Pied Pipers

Here, Menschenfaenger seems to refer to leaders of sects/groups who tempt the naive to join their questionable organizations

from a summary of the book:
Welche der Wege zu spiritueller Erfahrung, innerem Frieden, geistiger Transformation, die heute angeboten werden, sind authentisch? Welche Gruppen und Gemeinschaften sind mit Vorsicht zu genießen oder gehören gar in die Kategorie der potentiell gefährlichen Sekten? Wie unterscheidet man zwischen einem echten spirituellen Lehrer und einem Gauner-Guru? Dieses Buch hilft dem Leser, selbst zu einem kompetenten Urteil zu gelangen.



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Note added at 18 mins (2005-04-28 01:30:24 GMT)
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http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/3596138256/qid=1114650...

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Note added at 2 hrs 39 mins (2005-04-28 03:51:39 GMT)
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Here\'s the summary for the English equivalent rangepost located and linked below:

This book presents the results of a major, year-long study conducted at the Center for the Study of New Religious Movements in Berkeley, California, on the topic of spiritual tyranny versus legitimate spiritual authority. It includes articles and interviews designed to sharpen the reader\'s ability to recognize valid approaches to inner spiritual develpment. Dick Anthony developed a typology of consciousness groups, in which Ouspensky\'s The Fourth Way is used as a prominent example. \"A major contribution. I consider this book essential reading for anyone who wants to choose a spiritual path intelligently.\" - Charles T. Tart

It\'s interesting that the German publication emphasizes Ken Wilber\'s name, status, and contribution wherease the English original -- *if* the two editions are absolutely identical, and we can\'t be sure about that absent hard proof -- emphasizes Dick Anthony\'s name and contribution. I know, I know -- authors and books are commodities...