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Originally Posted by Lychee  Ethereal is also correct that naivete is the main problem when it comes to this sort of thing. When people find a teaching which they believe is correct, they leave reason and discrimination outside and completely accept what the other person is saying. But is humility the only answer? Is there anything else that we can do? If the foundation of our thinking and beliefs are incorrect, then whatever stems from that tree will also be diseased. How else can we keep the roots of our souls pure?
I agree with the list you have provided of people/arts which should be avoided. Just because it is possible doesn't mean that it is territory that must be ventured into. By the way on the list in the link you provided, why are some teachers listed as "fallen"? |
Humility will take you pretty far
Keeping humility in mind will help avoid many temptations, i.e. it isn't a "you" doing everything and thus deserving of merit, it is all God's doing so be thankful and not prideful.
Some of these teachers have "fallen" because they weren't sufficiently prepared and succumbed to temptation. Followers and worshippers, money, fame, control over others -- it's pretty easy to start thinking that it's "you" who they are worshipping and who's doing everything! But out of humility we recognize that they are worshipping God, as
manifested in you, and that it is a responsibility to help others.
And out of humility, we place our faith in the teachings of those who have gone before us on the path, instead of in our own "mind" that supposedly "knows it all." The great avatars, Christ, Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, etc., and the great sages all through the ages. More recently, Dr. Hawkins' work. And the great gift of discernment that has been given to mankind, applied kinesiology
There are many valid pathways to Truth that have been verified over and over, there is no need to seek the spiritually glamorous. The Truth has always been plain and simple. But out of curiosity and naivete...
