Spiritual Teachers

I wrote this article a couple of months ago, and submitted it to be published in March's Aquarius magazine, but it didn't get in this month's mag, so here it is...


Teacher, Guru, Leader, Guide.

There are many types of spiritual seekers. You might even see yourself here! Most people want to shop around to see what’s available. Some make the decision to be a “jack of all trades” and invariably become a “master of none.” a spiritual perspective this means that to meander through the various spiritual disciplines and not commit to one, the seeker is relegated to a life devoid of mastery. Some spiritual seekers look for or find themselves in situations in which they are given the opportunity to choose among paths and/or teachers. For the spiritual aspirant, the goal of illumination and mastery can be daunting. The key is to listen to your heart.

My Sufi guide explains the need for the sincere seeker to find a teacher with a story. He likens the spiritual journey to crossing an ocean. In order to cross, you find the your path (your boat), and the teacher (the rudder). Even if you have sails or oars, you will probably end up going in circles without the rudder.

With a teacher, guru, leader, or guide, is one guaranteed to arrive at the goal of enlightenment? Nope. However, from my own personal experience, the interaction between student and guide creates the impetus, strength, and support to potentially take us farther and faster than we could accomplish on our own.

Many self-proclaimed teachers get mired in their own ego-induced state, becoming transparent to those who truly work on their chosen pathway. In fact, there are so many teachers out in the world today that it is surprising the world hasn’t experienced the great awakening that everyone seems to be waiting for.

So, what does the spiritual aspirant do to find the teacher that fits his or her ideal closely enough? Surely, many of you have heard that for every step the seeker takes towards the teacher, the teacher takes ten towards the student? Just keep looking and asking for it, and sooner or later; you will recognize your teacher(s), guide, leader or guru. There are many valid spiritual paths and spiritual teachers, so there is sure to be one for you.

Personally, I prefer to have a teacher who already has experienced being a student. This would mean that the teacher would also currently be or has been a student on their path for an extended period of time. To me, this would hopefully indicate that the guide knows not only how to give spiritual direction, but also knows how to receive it. Even the greatest masters had a teacher and/or guide for extended periods in their lives.

What is the benefit of making a commitment with a teacher? A person who has been a student of a specific spiritual path joins vast history of deep wisdom through their teacher. Although many teachings are given verbally, there seem to be just as many which are given non-verbally. Students and their teachers share experiences together, and a bond is created. This bond will allow the aspirants access to the wisdom of their teacher’s lineage. Many students and teachers have recorded having the experience of receiving energetic transmissions, and other phenomenon. People might consider this nonverbal phenomenon as signs on the pathway to the higher levels of attainment.

How does one recognize their teacher or guide? From my experience, there is an inner knowing, or perhaps an inner radar that pulls us towards the person who will offer us what we are looking for - as long as we are open and ready to receive. Aspirants who ask for their teacher/guide to appear are advised to be aware of who is coming into their lives. Be awake enough to recognize who and what is actually in front of you when they appear. My Sufi guide, in his wise ways, explained to me once that sometimes it takes the universe some time to set up those meetings. So, if you are sincerely seeking, want to get to your ideal goal as quickly as possible, and are not afraid of doing the work asked of you, you might consider asking the universe for your teacher, guide, leader, or guru today.