When it comes to Guru's and their organisations and levels of attainment and so forth. It is not an easy issue to be clear about. Even though the mind wants that kind of clarity. Almost all Guru's have rumours about misconduct going on. Whether it is true or not is hard to estimate.
The Guru principle (
Gurutattva). Is a cosmic principle that is inherent in the unmanifest and manifest universe as a force of evolution. It is generally a more "inner" phenomena existing inside the true seeker. And in fact Guru's of a lineage can be transmitters of this principle, even though their karmic plate is not 100 percent clear. It is more the lineage that matters.
So in the Guru market it can be wise to be cautious. But one can still have immense benefit by "plugging in" in such a lineage. It is a universal principle that the universal consiousness have 5 principles in action.
1. Creation.
2. Preservation.
3. Transformation
4. Maya (Hiding of the truth for the cause of the Lila, the play going on).
5. Grace (Revealing the truth...intitiation).
The Guru is a cosmic function for the transmission of this last function of grace. It is not for all to have access to a Guru in physical form for this initiation to occur. But as the true Guru is within it is not necessary for the physical meeting with a Guru to occur. The intiation can occur just by the inner impulse of the inherent Self in man.
When it comes to the lineage from Nityananda. Thousands of seekers have got their Kundalini shakti awakened by various teachers with Nityananda as the root guru. That is also important to be aware of.
So one measure of the value of a Guru may be the effects of their prescence of the earth.
We have different lineages that have caused much good to a vast number of people spiritually.
For example some of these lineages are:
-Ramakrishna lineage with all descent teachers.
-Shivananda lineage with the branches coming forth with such teachers as satyananda, Vishnudevananda, satchidananda et.c
-Nityananda lineage with associated teachers.
- Neem Karoli baba lineage. (Ram Dass and others).
- Ramana Maharshi lineage (many teachers).
The teachers who come from these root guru's are many, and there is many rumours and sayings about misconduct et.c there. But still so many people have benefitted by plugging in to a lineage. It seems like the play of the game of cosmic evolution and coming to spiritual development is often coming through the Guru principle as a awakening shakti. Even if the transmitter is not pure 100 percent ?
This is not an easy question. It is complex.
Reading all that is on the net it is not easy to recommend any teacher really, with perhaps the exception of Ammachi.
So what should seekers after enlightenment do ? Disregard Guru's and teacher altogether ?
Everyone should have Amma as a teacher ?
Discrimination and faith have to be combined I think.
Reading the net I would never go to a Guru or teacher. Still there is many advanced spiritual people still treading the path of such lineages like siddha yoga even though the rumours are still there. The effects of the teachings and the undenying power of the spiritual experiences and the living shakti transmitted through that path is enough it seems.
Just posting to give a more nuanced wiew.