From a discussion about a group of spiritual teachers:
We may see enlightenment as a goal or end point, but its not. It is a process, like all other human development. There are certain key “steps” but each takes a period of integration, of settling in. Indeed, waking up puts us back in spiritual kindergarten. It is only the beginning.
Because of the lack of clarity around the subject in our culture, there are several places we can get sidetracked. Powerful spiritual experiences can strengthen the ego or give one an idea that they are enlightened because of experiences. But experiences are quite different from being. The Tibetan Buddhist teacher Lama Surya Das refers to this as “premature immaculation”
It has also become more common in the west for people to wake up but not have a framework for whats next, so get stuck there. Awake to the witness, experiencing peace and happiness, but not yet fully united or God realized. On occasion, a powerful personality can be enhanced and a sort of spiritual ego arises. The new sense of certainty can lead to a less than ideal teacher. They may have a powerful presence and clarity, yet treat their students poorly, for example. Certainly some value, but not the complete picture.
The ad for Lynne McTaggart’s book “Enlightenment” mentions Gurjieff and Ramana Maharishi. These are teachers that awoke spontaneously so have no path to teach. Eckhart Tolle is another. This is why they speak of the practice of observation but do not teach meditation or other technique, though they certainly may encourage it.
They offer great value and understanding, but another teacher is needed. Many people have blended paths as a result.
Essentially, each teacher has pros and cons. The best approach is to see what each may offer you and find what fits. As a friend of mine observed, “Eckhart woke up spontaneously after suffering so he thinks you suffer and then you wake up. Maharishi woke up through the grace of his Master so he thinks you follow a tradition of Masters and then wake up. Ramana Maharshi woke up spontaneously after some inner investigation and therefore valued the Advaita path.”
Understanding the background of a teacher, their approach, and whether they are about mind, heart, physical, or whatever is a key to understanding what you are looking at and helps determine their value to you at any give point. Your needs will change as you step up the spiral path.
Davidya
Last Updated on April 27, 2018 by
tell us about the teachers out there davidya, thre are so many
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Hi, interesting blog! Do you have a main teacher that you work with?
Thanks, Aly. Nice blog.
These days, no. My progress comes mostly from “within”.
Teachers that have been an influence since the blog started in ’07 are referred to here, although I also mention other teachers I’ve run into occasionally. Mixed into the blog roll are a couple of key web sites.
Curiously, it depends on the teacher. Adyashanti I found most useful in books and DVD’s rather than in person. L&L (Calll Retreat) I found more profound in person.
Yes, I found your blog through another blog that mentioned you had written about Byron Katie. I am really interested in meeting and talking to people who have worked directly with Teachers I have listed on my blog, like Adyashanti and Katie.
Yes, it’s really fun to read how others take the words of Teachers and integrate the teaching into their lives! Thank you for your blog
Yes, it’s very valuable to meet with people on a similar path. Our culture bombards us with poor models of being. If you search the blog, you’ll find the closing lines of the Rk Veda also speak to this. “Go together, speak together, know your minds to be functioning together from a common source…”
It can take a bit of time and maintenance, but culturing a spiritual community online and in person can be a great boon. Especially if you are integrating a big shift.
oh, good. thank you
You’re welcome and thanks for the feedback.
In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a “Key Posts” link on the right that categorizes posts that go over key ideas. It’s rather out of date so stuff written later isn’t included but it may be more helpful than random browsing here. 😉