Spiritual Teachings, teacher and inner guidance

“The innermost light, shining peacefully and timelessly in the heart, is the real Guru. All others merely show the way.” (N. Maharaj)

Spirituality, when embedded in a tradition or school, relates to teachings and teachers, yet at the same time it is important to follow one’s own inner guidance on the path. Even if all paths lead to the same ultimate goal, there are significant differences in the teachings and not all of them are suitable for everyone. Probably more diverse than the teachings seem to be the teachers and their methods.

“Some do meditation for some years independently. Later on they actually feel the necessity of a Guru. They come across some obstacles on the way. They do not know how to proceed further and how to obviate these impediments or stumbling blocks. Then they begin to search for a master.” (Swami Sivananda)

Let’s spend an afternoon pondering about teachings, the role of the teacher and inner guidance.

“Q: Can the outer Guru grant initiation (diksha)? M: He can give all kinds of initiations, but the initiation into Reality must come from within. Q: Who gives the ultimate initiation? M: It is self-given." (Nissargadatta Maharaj)

You may watch one or few of the following Videos for inspiration:

• Dzongtsar Khyentse Rinpoche on student-teacher relationship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0lJVsdLe90
• Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo on finding a Spiritual Teacher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmGa580ER0E
• Vipassana teacher Beth Upton on meeting her teacher Pa Auk Sayadaw: https://youtu.be/yNI35TBibko?si=CT11IJezc1B7NhnP&t=1176
• Lama Sarah Harding on evaluating spiritual teachers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpm7jHP7RKw
• Tantra and Yoga Teachers Uriel Yariv and Blandine Wegener on “How do we start with spirituality? The 7 stages of the spiritual path. Part 2” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC1vrzrDtw0