Starsha
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Posts: 7
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 Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 8:02 pm Post subject: Is a teacher required on the path path of yoga? |
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A great spiritual teacher can be a wonderful source of inspiration on one's path.
I have had many teachers along the way ignite the spark of inspiration and insight.
Yet I also recognise that it is up to me to fan that flame. No one can walk the path FOR me.
It is important to watch the mind when you are in the presence of a great spiritual teacher.
There can be a tendency to get stuck or stagnant in one's own growth by placing the teacher on a pedestal, separating the teacher from the student.
Or becoming attached and dependent on the teachers wisdom, instead of developing their own.
Both of these tendencies can cause the aspirant to become stagnant in the process of spiritual growth.
It is important to remember that the teacher is an aspirant too, even the greatest of masters are walking their own path, and living out their Divine contract on earth.
A dependency between teacher and student can hold back both aspirants on their path.
Yet, if there is no attachment, a mutual respect,and an equal honouring of the Divine within both...
the teacher and student can become a tremendous source of inspiration for each other.
If the intention of the relationship is solely to serve the Divine,
and each person is responsible for fanning their own flame, and walking their own sacred path,
as laid out by the Divine....
it becomes a very sacred relationship,
two souls working together to assist the Divine.
Although that assistance may be in many unseen ways....
Both teacher and student then become committed to honouring the Divine within themselves as their guide.
The teacher assisting the student in recognizing the Divine within,
and the student reinforcing that Truth for the teacher.
These Divine centered relationships can be the holiest things on earth...
This type of sacred relationship can be found anywhere though,
you do not need to travel to the Himalayan mountains in search of a great Tibetan master to find this holy gift.
If your attitude is of gratitude for each person in your life,
and a recognition that each person is walking a sacred Divine path,
then you can have this kind of sacred teaching/learning relationship with everyone you know.
From the highest level,
each person in your life is the Divine meeting the Divine within you.
It is up to you,
if you chose to see and deeply respect the Divine within people.
From this perspective everyone in your life becomes your teacher,
because everyone you meet is a unique expression of the Divine.
If you SEE that it is really the Divine running their lives...
behind all masks that we may hide behind,
that really it is their Divine presence that is REALLY standing before you.
Then you will see that you are being inspired by the Divine in everyone that you meet.
©CW 2006
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“do ordinary things with extraordinary love.” Mother theresa |
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