A Teacher
by Ann Phillis
A teacher is one who helps you grow. A spiritual teacher is one
who helps you grow spiritually - to your soul and spirit.
Spiritual teaching is not conveyed simply by words uttered by the
teacher in physical presence. It is the energy of the teacher that
changes your inner presence, your inner structure. The energy of
a spiritual teacher releases karma (both the good and the bad) so
that you may quickly learn the lessons of your life path, unfold
the petals of your heart and mind and find your soul.
A spiritual teacher may impart energy to you in many ways. You
may receive teaching on the inner levels at night, through participating
in classes in the Halls of Learning or the Halls of Wisdom. Or you
may have physical contact with a teacher, someone who is a little
further along the path than you are.
By being in their presence, either on the inner or the physical
planes, a true spiritual teacher will help you on your path simply
through the energy work they do. A physical teacher may teach with
words, often it is by actions in daily life and the example they
set for us that is the greatest teaching. Words are empty if not
followed by action.
The teaching we need all depends upon where we are on the path.
A true teacher for the soul must themselves be able to reach soul
consciousness, because that is how they can connect you to your
soul.
Many teachers have great knowledge, but knowledge alone does not
create a spiritual teacher; nor does spending many years leading
a spiritual, ascetic life. It has much more to do with the training
in past lives, and the connection to the higher consciousness. It
is the quality and connection to soul that must be sought in a teacher.
Look beyond the words: what is the energy you feel? Does it nourish
your inner yearning and thirsting self that strives to move forward?
Does it take you to soul and spirit or to the mind and its knowledge?
Find where you belong and let the process unfold in you. If you
follow your innermost self, you will know the right place to be.
If you are unsure - take time to consider. Perhaps it is programs
that have come up because the light of soul stimulates that, or
perhaps that teacher is not for you. Are you trying everything because
you don't know what will get you where you want to go? Are you afraid
of commitment? Find a good healer who can help you with the light
of spirit, so you can see clearly your path ahead.
We don't always feel comfortable with the spiritual teachings that
help us most. Truly walking the spiritual path is confronting and
difficult, as well as joyful and uplifting. How should it be otherwise,
when we must face ourselves in every form we have ever had, and
face our past actions and past lives along the way? If you think
you can reach your soul without facing the reality of who you are
as a person and soul, then you are not ready for the serious spiritual
path yet but wish to have an easy life without dealing with the
"baggage."
The Great Teachers, such as Buddha, Christ, Krishna, Mohammed,
have come to Earth in particular embodiments to bring an impulse
of light and energy. At other times, they and other great masters
of the Spiritual Hierarchy overshadow and work with their disciples
and initiates who walk on Earth in a physical body.
In this way you may have a person who is quite ordinary in many
ways, yet because of past training (in other lives) and because
they have a certain contact to their inner ashram and Master, the
Master may be able to use them to effect energy changes in the people
around. Especially if that person works consciously to open up to
Master and let the Master's light and energy come through in their
teachings.
True teachings of the new age help us to become our own soul and
spirit - to connect with our own inner wisdom. Some interpret this
to mean that we don't need a teacher to become spiritual. In some
ways this is true, yet to receive help from one who has more experience
is a blessing and can make our steps on the path more rapid! Our
learning would be slow indeed if we had no teachings to give understanding
and meaning to our experiences. We are all brothers and sisters
on this planet, and as in every human family some are older than
others and can help because of their greater experience and understanding.
So too can we help our younger brothers and sisters. Nobody is "better,"
nobody is "worse," but we do have different experiences
we can share.
If you wish to walk a spiritual path, then ask to be given the
teacher and teaching that will help you, and see what happens. Keep
an open mind! The doorways on your spiritual path are not always
what you expect them to be, just as the teaching itself may not
be what you expect. If you keep open, and keep your goal in mind
- you will learn through experience to discern and discriminate
using that faculty of mind which separates humans from the animal
kingdom. It is through learning right discrimination that we free
ourselves.
Discrimination with spiritual teachings is essential - a discrimination
based on the energy given out in the teaching, not just the words.
We each need a teacher who can provide the energy we need for growth.
The mind can be impressed by fine words, but such words can be empty
if they lack energy that touches us. What doesn't ring true to your
heart after careful contemplation, leave aside. This isn't to say
it is a bad teaching, for it may be good for another. Let all teachers
do their work, but find the teachings that open your heart.
We have free will on Earth so we can practice the quality of discrimination,
learn our lessons and in time become ourselves Masters of soul and
spirit. It is truly a blessed life if we can meet a teacher to help
us on our way.
© Ann Phillis 2001
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