Teacher

[yabadoo]

Hi,

These questions are practical and have arisen since I want to take my practice further,

How would you become acquainted with a spiritual teacher?

Were can they be found? How do you know if they are good?

What would be the financial or other costs of embarking on this path?

This seems a privelege that is only available to those with time and money?

Thanks.

[SilverWolf]

Hey yabadoo. First of all i would like to say I am in the same boat as you, I am also hoping to find a spiritual teacher.

The old saying is when the student is ready the master will appear so I am trying to learn by myself right now in hope that I will meet someone soon.

Also I think joining a group would be a good idea for example if you are interested in buddhism look for a buddhist community near your, if you are interested in christian spiritualism etc. because their are bound to be people with more experience in these groups.

How do you know if they are good?

Simply follow you heart. If you feel like they are a good person and you have something to learn from them then talk to them, ask them questions. Im sure you will learn something.

What would be the financial or other costs of embarking on this path?

Im sure good spiritual teachers will not charge you for their help. Especially if you are part of a group or a community like i mentioned earlier. And im sure you have some free time to pursue this. I dont think that you would need to follow your teacher around 24 hours a day.

I hope this has helped

[JanT]

Hi yabadoo -
You asked some great questions and I hope I can shed some light on them.

If you truly desire a teacher - one will present themselves to you. And asking is the first step. You can find an instructor a forum, through a friend, a flyer, brochure, etc. Be open to how you could be broached with possible instructors.

How do you know they are any good? Ask. Get references, research. Yes, there are scammers out there. After you do your research homework, ask yourself if you are comfortable approaching this person for metaphysical learning.

What I do is say the business or person's name out loud, while listening to my body. If I get an unsettled feeling, or any not quite right feeling, I will not contact them. If I get a calming sensation (in my stomach region), a sense of peace, or absolutely no sensation, I will make contact. This approach works for me - but does not necessarily work for everyone.

Once I have made contact, I am still 'feeling' to see if there is any discordance, or discomfort being or working with this person. In other words, I listen to myself, and respond accordingly.

Yes, there can be financial costs - but that depends on each instructor, as do rates.

And no, it is not for only a select few, or those with money. I have to disagree with SilverWolf about

Im sure good spiritual teachers will not charge you for their help.

Even metaphysical instructors have to pay bills. We usually don't baulk to pay for other professions - same goes for instructors.

I hope this helps you.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by yabadoo

Hi,

These questions are practical and have arisen since I want to take my practice further,

How would you become acquainted with a spiritual teacher?

Were can they be found? How do you know if they are good?

What would be the financial or other costs of embarking on this path?

This seems a privelege that is only available to those with time and money?

Thanks.

Free, well written, simple and on your PC.

http://www.maharajnisargadatta.com/I_Am_That.pdf

Judge

[themaster]

Originally Posted by yabadoo

How would you become acquainted with a spiritual teacher?

If your seeking a physical teacher in that you want that bonding version.. I would tell you to seek out a metaphysical school.. should you find one.. (there kind of rare.. I guess.. <---- hasn't done much research on said subject)

If your seeking another teacher.. like a good, good one.. you should in fact be seeking out information you sent to yourself

Most people become acquainted with a teacher.. via a referral.. so here you are looking for one.. I consider good teachers of "new age" that have really just connected me with me.. abraham or bashar..

Originally Posted by yabadoo

Were can they be found?

All over..

Originally Posted by yabadoo

How do you know if they are good?

Do you not have a brain man?
Do you not have a judgment system as taught to you/downloaded that has you go around and judge others on acts and sex appeal and everything else?

Well, for f*cksakes use it man!! Trust in yourself and only listen to teachers you resonate with..

Originally Posted by yabadoo

What would be the financial or other costs of embarking on this path?

Depends on the teacher ehh.. ? Good teachers can be had for free, good teachers can be had for much mulla.. this is your choice.. your cheapest and maybe best teaching method is to teach yourself..

Originally Posted by yabadoo

This seems a privilege that is only available to those with time and money?

This as stated is more like a belief or definition.. let me ask question..

Did jesus or budda or even yes are smart steve pavlina.. did they learn everything they know by consulting others?? not likely though some.. they mostly taught themselves through the resources they created at their disposal

All knowledge from my understanding is self taught.. even if you engage in a teacher bonding version..

[Starman]

yabadoo:

What do you expect the right spiritual teacher will teach you? What are you wanting to learn?

I ask this because specific questions do a better job of attracting answers than vague ones.

Do you have a specific goal, knowledge or state you wish to achieve?

Once you know what you want a spiritual teacher to teach you, make your desire known. Ask and you will receive that portion you are prepared to recieve, that you might be prepared to receive more, until you have a fullness of knowledge and understanding.

[state101]

Yabadoo,

which country are you in i can find you a teacher?

[spacedout]

How do you find a teacher?

Choose one of the following and go for it:

1) Take Judge's advise and read I AM THAT

2) Take Moogi's advise - "The real Master is within you."

3) Take no ones advise and seek everywhere until you find the one you are seeking.

[yabadoo]

Thanks for all your replies, they are very useful. I particularly enjoyed themaster's response which elequontly reminded me that this journey is mine. I have therefore decided to study various texts more intently. I found that budhism relates nicely to my own person and am following this with more focus.

I have also found that there is a Sri Chinmoy Centre near me and am going to attend classes and then see what happens next. It seems like a good opurtunity to meet others and perhaps, if it feels right find a teacher.

I bought myself a copy of D.T Suzuki as an introduction to Zen, does any know of any other books that will offer myself a good way in to a more in depth understanding, I mean rather than 'the power of now' etc. which only offer an insight. Thanks for the link to I am that, I am going to start this tonight.

[Andrew Gubb]

I met my teachers at a spirituality group. I just felt that they had a special aura, and we kind of "clicked".

They're my friends, though, really. They know more than me, but they are my friends. Don't make spirituality into something it's not. Well, if you want to make a big deal of it you'll find someone who'll help you make it a big deal. If you want to learn, you'll find that many people can help you learn. Feel for the right one. I've met people with a spiritual flame so powerful that they made me instantly feel better. If you've seen a picture of Ramana Maharshi or Eckhart Tolle you might get what I mean - it's like they have distant galaxies in their eyes. There are quite a few people like that around - they live normal lives, more or less, and not every one has written a book or does public speaking. If you look for them, you'll find them. Don't worship them but approach them like a human being approaching a human being, and they'll be happy to talk to you about stuff.

PS: a good teacher really is the best way to learn. Books, yes. Meditation, yes. But there's something about feeling the aura of a purified soul that does something you can't get anywhere else. Watching Tolle or Gangaji talk on youtube is a fair start to give you a feel, but it's not like real life.

[spacedout]

I am biased, but I highly recommend the small but powerful book You Can Develop Pure Awareness. It has 25 exercises that lead you through a path, step-by-step, to pure awareness.












Pureawareness.com

[themaster]

Originally Posted by yabadoo

Thanks for all your replies, they are very useful. I particularly enjoyed themaster's response which elequontly reminded me that this journey is mine.

Well, thank you

I enjoy compliments or live for them

I have recently just been made aware that much of one of my favorite teachers works is available on youtube (least a good 50%) if you resonate with the material give it a try.. or if not.. not

YouTube - 16l20's Channel