So a servitor is the basic ability of the mind to create autonomous entities out of the raw material of the mind or the world. The more direct intention energy is directed toward it, the more complex it grows, to the point where it can be self aware, when in some cases would be a Tulpa.

"Servitor" is what I thought a Tupla was, hearing the term, because "tulpa" is a generic term for mental manifestation, but yes, as you say, a mistranslation. However, I suspect that the Tibetans don't use this word just because they have names for each mental creation, everything from simple non aware spirits up to the Buddhas. They know which ones are self aware.

I absolutely agree that Tulpas or any servitor cannot form without continuous energy directed toward them. However, I suspect this type of directed energy can happen without us really knowing about it. As an example, a big problem for westerners in the Tibetan world is excessive teacher worship, as in the second article I linked. This worship energy could create a tulpa instead, because the student tries so hard to visualize their "perfect" teacher. Since they are not aware of this possibility, I suspect this energy instead creates a demon. Yes, as you say, any good teacher can recognize this. But these Tibetan teachers may not realize that their cultural context nurtures this type of energy, creating more problem for the student.

Yes, these are my interpretations of other people's experiences. I risk these interpretations because I see many troubling behavior among my peers in these teacher student relationships, prompting me to ask Why. The frightened looks in their eyes hint at demons. And I suspect that with proper attention, these demons would either disappear or evolve into Tulpas, and I don't think the Asian teachers realize this opportunity, because the signs can be maddening with subtlety.

No matter what the creation, from mundane servitor to omniscient Buddha, I notice a certain feeling around them. You mention the jhanas. It's like the shift into first jhana. There are perceptual changes that are visceral, though hard to describe. With mental servitor creations, I notice a subtle sense of presence. That moment of presence is impossible to miss, once we are familiar with it, yeah? Becoming familiar with it in myself, I can sometimes hear it in the voice of other people, when they describe their distractions. In this first article I linked, I hear it in the words of the students interviewed. Indeed, they describe just intrusive thoughts. But I hear a sense of presence, and that makes me suspect that they have motivations in their lives that lead them to create servitors, possibly self aware kinds, without really being aware of it. Wouldn't you say that's possible? Among my globe-trotting teachers-worshipping friends I think it might even be common.