A Spiritual Teacher IS...
C.G.
It is not the teacher before you that manifests what you perceive as an awakening, but the awakening within you that manifests what you perceive as a teacher. *
For most of my years, I sought my idea of a traditional spiritual teacher to provide me with truth, teach me knowledge. I sought that rarefied being, flawless and wise who could give to me the connection to the Absolute that I imagined I was living uncomfortably without. In the end, much to my dismay, I repeatedly found my appointees inadequate. Over and over I concluded that I had not found the right person, but I have come to realize that it was the “right perception” I was lacking.
Not that my efforts were in vain—I am thankful for them. Obsessively staring into a mirror, trying to focus on the horizon, can induce some pretty profound results. The horizon seen turns out not to be “out there.”
“The fool who persists in his folly will become wise.” William Blake
I found that it was my criterion for a teacher that was flawed, not any of the individuals that I tried to project the title onto. My efforts eventually brought me to the realization that in subtle mysteries like wisdom and spirit—the student/teacher relationship is not linear or well-defined, but more amorphous in nature. One moment I was comfortable in the compliant role I imaged to be a student and then I was scared to death to realize that the roles had reversed…and then back to being ‘student’, and then reversed again.
In truth, we all teacher and student—involved in a multi-faceted process, perfectly balanced as every one of us being teacher to and student of every other, simultaneously. To consider oneself as more one aspect of the process than the other is an illusion, and limits our collective experience.
Many of my best teachers—those who have given me lessons that have remained as significant tenets of my belief system—are people I no longer allow to have an active part in my life. There are two distinct reasons for this:
1. One does not have to be wise to instill wisdom, virtuous to promote virtue.
2. Once you complete the 1st grade, you do not continue to go back to that teacher’s classroom. There is undoubtedly more the teacher could teach you, but it is a matter of diminishing return—the final lesson of the student is to move on. Not to do so is to fail the teaching.
I do not discount those remarkable individuals that have obtained conscious levels of awareness of their connection to the Absolute that I do not consistently maintain at this time. They do indeed exist, I can feel the uniqueness of them whenever I encounter such a person—even those who do not, themselves, know of the power of their connection.
Even with such a person universally acknowledged as a teacher, my perspective is that instruction is offered most often because it is what 'students' expect/demand. It is like getting someone about to panic to focus on your moving finger—a hypnotic induction to calm, allowing the student to return to a natural state of their own knowledge/wisdom.
It is not the mystic’s perspective that changes our reality, but experiencing their reality that changes our perspective.*
The real change comes about within us from spending time in the higher vibrational field of a true teacher…either directly in their presence or indirectly in the rhythm of their teaching (as a mantra may introduce peacefulness in meditation). They have seen the ‘face’ of the Absolute, they remember it, and the memory of that experience radiates from them—within or without word. One way or another, a true teacher holds open a sacred, safe place for the student to explore and lay claim to their own truth. A teacher reawakens one to the resonance of the Absolute so that the student can–on their own–find their way home to the Absolute, to their true Self.
A teacher, or at least a skilled teacher, is someone with perceptive enough to comprehend the information most needed by the student, intelligent enough to purposely construct the means of the instruction, adept enough to elicit the learning without being intrusive on the student’s experience, and wise enough to realize he or she was the led in the process by the spirit of student.*
A teacher should not give so much of self or knowledge, but give to the student themself.*
A true teacher does not impart wisdom or learning, but draws forth the student’s own wisdom. The act of who is drawing forth—and not any defined role—shows us who is teacher and who is student at that moment.*
The order of need is no respecter of hierarchy.
One may follow a path without a teacher, but to be a teacher,
One needs a student.*
Spiritual teaching is not something that you can choose, but rather something that chooses you.
copyright 2008 CG Walters
* Strike a Chord of Silence—CGW (a 20+ year old, unfinished manuscript still teaching me)
C.G. Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the mystical, metaphysical, and mythical insight that we all possess. His current novel, Sacred Vow is first and foremost a metaphysical love story, a tale of soul mates—twin flames—a journey toward our one true love…in its infinite expressions…bringing together two individuals from disparate realities—but one spirit—to heal the rift in the Collective Consciousness.
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cg walters
August 2008 
thanks for that .. I really enjoyed reading it .. but I feel we are moving past the need for teachers .. I think we should learn to connect to who we really are and not to try to live anothers truth ? But I agree true teachers [ who are rare ] hold open a scared space.
CG, this is a really wonderful post. The teacher - student cycle of role reversal is a wonderful dynamic for all. Lisha has really taught me that all ascended masters are truly students forever. They aren't students because they keep “trying” or “seeking”; they have an innate curiosity for their surroundings, inner sacred space, and the best information available at the moment.
Also, reading this blog reminded me of the idea of learning by rote. We are teaching this only because we want the students to ultimately choose the correct response. So, learning really becomes a choice just as the cycle of learning comes most fluidly from teaching.
Let's let the Ultimopoem philosophy lecture bell ring so that we can get out to this great playground and scream our heads off!
I fully agree, Izz. The way of the word is not the Way.
We are all teachers, and the very best “teaching” is example. Connected “to who we really are” and we 'say' the greatest truth.
Many blessings to you and all you hold dear,
CG
Thanks .. and I agree … this is a subject quite close to my heart right now.. and I have had some hefty lessons in discernment lately …
Wonderful, Jeremy!!
Sometime back I heard that exercise done in enjoyment provides a much greater benefit than exercise done as a chore. In line with that concept, I bet that your “out to the playground” course will yield us the greatest beneficial knowledge!
blessings to you and Lisha, dear one,
CG
Teachings that perpetuate a dependency or elevate one individual over another are a big issue with me, Izz.
Ok, C.G., I still have some digestion to do, but I wanted to quickly thank you for bringing the subject of spiritual teaching up because, like everything else in my world today which I should probably quit questioning, this is ABSOLUTELY timely. I am a teacher by vocation and profession, and most of my relevant contribution in this regard is ultimately towards the enlightenment of others, i.e. raising people's awareness of their divinity as a strength [competitive?] factor. Please follow this link for a little read-up on it: http://www.hq-2.com/RealContribution.htm.
This is not a path I chose, and so for a really long time I didn't feel that I was the person to dare teach others about faith and self-dependence etc., but it's turned out that this is what I do best, mainly because of my own passion and a choice to live my teachings fully.
What I would say is that I retain a hesitance and humility of sorts in the profession. I don't feel to advertise; I much prefer to be engaged and then work with someone who clearly has a desire to receive my teachings. But the key and critical component in the successful exchange is the openness of the student to receive it. The best intentioned teacher is stuck, when faced with a closed-minded student, particularly the most zealous of you [which I suspect you were hehe]! It's simply because when they are locked into a particular mindset, otherwise known as being stubborn, it's impossible to get them to budge and they'll have to go through their process of releasing, prior to going forward.
All the same, any success I have in this regard, squarely places the responsibility for receiving [learning] on the student and clearly defines my role as the teacher, willing to give what I have. Things go pretty smooth from this point.
I will keep reading and continue sharing any other insights I might have.
Thanks again. Friend Sherrilene from the Tropics :D
Thank you, Sherrilene,for visiting and entering the conversation.
It seems that you are teaching those “who clearly has a desire to receive [your] teachings”, so there is no incompatibility.
Yes, I tend to be quite content in wherever I am, which is always moving, the ever-progressing horizon.
Many blessings and a joyful weekend, my friend,
CG
Oh yeah! This is good stuff! My prayer is only to remember it! :) Thank you!!! :)
Thank you, Martha….
blessings and wonder this weekend,
CG
Hi CG, thanks for the post.
This is a topic I wonder about daily - and this is also the reason why I run the OpenCafe. I am fascinated by watching how knowledge and experiences go from person to person many times without us noticing it happening. I think it is just about being aware and open to whatever experience or person comes along every moment of the day.
I think teaching and learning is happening continuously - it's just the way things are - and if we are open to this fact - we progress faster in being more and more aware of what is really happening, and able to make better choices.
For me teaching is the most amazing experience - but only when the student comes out of his/her own will and asks for my help because he/she is genuinly curious to hear what I have to say - the relationships that form this way are truly special and we become both the student and the teacher for each other - I have learnt so many things already from my students.
Anna….I agree that teaching/learning is always happening, and that we are teacher/student simultaneousy. It's just like the quote on your page
Ubuntu : “I am because we are”
Martha had a great blog conversation about this We come from one another
I find that the best teaching is putting forth a message that empowers the student, frees the student from need of a teacher, points out to the student their great wisdom.
This is, of course, only possible if the “great wisdom” of the student wishes to experience such a path. I also know there is nothing wrong/lesser in preferring to allow our wisdom to come through another (a teacher). Sometimes this is what we prefer.
love and wonder,
CG
Hi Sherri - I think that people who I have encountered who designate them selves as a spiritual teacher often do this so that they have an elevated position from the others they are teaching - and this causes separation and distance because to be taught the pupils must defer and look up to the teacher.. I was not referring to the type of teaching you do - which looks wonderful - I have had experience of someone recently who thinks they are an avatar and quite openly states he is an avatar .. I feel he is deluded but he has many people who bow and scrape around him and defer to him , its like he is the general and they are his little army feeding his delusions - I do not think that iit s healthy.
I think no one can teach anyone to be spiritual or enlightened - the time of teachers and gurus has passed - maybe some people need a hand waking up which is a bit different - and someone to show them techniques for connected to their inner selves their inner world to all that is - again that is different .. but no one needs a teacher who makes themselves the intermediary between god and the pupil .. in my humble opinion
well not a human person who believes they have all the answers anyway [ and I am not referring to you Sherri - just to what I have seen with many spiritual teachers - a big ego and A need to be looked up too and followed ]
The most connected people do not have big egos - are not deluded - they are real
Hi there again :)
” the best teaching is putting forth a message that empowers the student, frees the student from need of a teacher, ”
… this is definitely how I look at it as well. I come from a family of university professors and teachers - but I always had the problem of not getting the kind of teaching (from my university studies) I needed to be empowered and be able to “fly” by myself and apply the new knowledge with ease in my life in a very practical way. So I set out to find and test different schools, ways of teaching and this has become a passion for me to notice and listen when teaching/learning is happening and see how people do it.
At the cafe I experiment daily and in fact I am “teaching in order to learn” - I just find that my best experiences many times come from situations when I spent time explaining something or when someone took the time and patience to teach me….so I am trying to be in this state of openness and sharing as much as I can…..
Hi not sure why the moderatr deleted y last sg - but what I sid was I AGREE … empowerent .. excellent - thats what anyone who teaches spiritual stuff should be aiming for not control
Izz…..yes, I have no idea what happened to the last msg….
I hope it was a system glitch rather than moderation.
:) I hope so .. I am a bit suspicious of moderators now - i am sure they are not like that on gaia - but often i would get posts deleted when I was talking about animals and the pain we cause to them by eating them - on a forum i was briefly a member of ,and a thread titled '' food and karma '' .. the moderator just wanted a chat about organic recipes I think …and she kept saying there is no judgment ..ugh .. and just deleted what i said
I can't even imagine who would be moderator of a simple user blog like this.
Oh well….I can't remember what the lost comment was now.
Blessings,
CG
Greetings CG and ALL :)
I keep coming back to this post and the discussions - thank u for the link to Martha's post also - very interesting thread. I will still go back to read the discussion there today.
have a great Sunday!
To wrap up I thought I'd mention that it does take a great degree of self-checking to not abuse the teacher-student relationship. I feel the upward evolution of teaching is one where the teacher is thinking of the greater good; of contributing positively to nature through helping bring clarity to someone who might be able to go on and do more with their lives, without the challenge of confusion. The ego HAS GOT to go.
Wishing you all a great week also. Please take care.
Sherri with love.
Good Sunday, Sherri and Anna….
Yes, Anna…Martha's blog stays with me. It was a knowledge that I possessed, but never knew there was a defined cultural concept out there –Thank you, Martha!
Sherri….I can understand the need of “a great degree of self-checking”–and a real desire to act in the “student's” best in interest.
Another thing for discussion, I continue to run across the concept of 'teaching as another stage of being a student'.–which is something of much personal focus for me these days
Illusions, Richard Bach– “You teach best that which you most need to learn.”
The Pilgramage, Paulo Coelho– “You learn only through teaching.”
Such quotes reinforce the concept of being student and teacher simultaneously.
Blessings and love, Sherri, Anna, and all my dear friends,
CG
CG,
I seem adept at picking the “good” ones, judging by the number of comments (which I have yet to read). Yes, I couldn't agree with you more, than that we draw what we need to us. So, if we perceive a teacher, there is something within us that has brought them into our life and made them that in our regard.
Like you, I have not found that rarefied being, flawless and wise, except for once in my dreams. My teachers have been almost accidental in that rarely did they perceive they were teaching me, they were usually just living their own lives.
I have found myself with what could “almost” be called students since coming to Zaadz, now called Gaia. Yet, almost as soon as I realize the relationship has become that sort, I realize instantly your point that “the student/teacher relationship is not linear or well-defined, but more amorphous in nature”. I can not separate out who is what in the relationship.
Your truth, my friend, is well stated - “we all teacher and student-involved in a multi-faceted process, perfectly balanced as every one of us being teacher to and student of every other, simultaneously. To consider oneself as more one aspect of the process than the other is an illusion, and limits our collective experience.”
I see the truth in your quote - “It is not the mystic's perspective that changes our reality, but experiencing their reality that changes our perspective.” The only assistance they can us, is giving us another way of looking at things, than we had before encountering them.
Your essay, as regards the teacher drawing forth from the student, reminds me of the experience we shared, of how my dying FIL drew forth from my own inner self, knowledge to lend to him my wisdom and energy, to make that transition he sensed, at some level of his being, was indeed coming and which I understood perfectly and experienced profoundly. I remain always mindful and grateful you were a part of that.
Finally, how truthful I have found this statement to be - “Spiritual teaching is not something that you can choose, but rather something that chooses you.” I hope where I have quoted you in commenting is appropriate and not in violation of your copyright. You know that would never be my intention.
Thank you for the opportunity this morning to review what I do know and have learned, especially during the past year since coming to Zaadz, now Gaia.
Deborah
Wow, folks! Thanks for holding your attention on this topic. So much of what has been said here gets my spirit moving.
It feels to me like there is one teacher, because the truth is whole, universal, undivided, and does not contradict itself. Sometimes this teacher speaks through individuals, but mainly it seems like it adjusts my perception so that I can recognize the truth.
The following is my story about being a spiritual teacher.
I guess there's been a process leading up to this, which seemed to really kick-in when I began teaching a student in the School of Metaphysics who was dealing with such an intense history of abuse and deprivation that I called upon all my inner resources to help her. Fortunately, she had been receiving counseling from a person who taught her never to compromise her self-respect so anytime I began judging her or pushing her away because of my own insecurities she pushed right back and wouldn't let my judgments hold sway over her self-respect. As a teacher, this confounded me. I wanted to help her, but she wouldn't let me! After thinking more deeply about it, I realized that my judgments of her were not only based on fear but also were judgments I passed on myself. They were judgments that let me remain afraid of loving and being loved.
I took my position as a teacher more seriously with this student because the stakes were higher, the emotions more intense. I did the best I could. I began letting go of my judgments so I could love and accept her. Ironically, some of the judgments and behaviors I had to let go of were judgments and behaviors that I saw my teachers doing. I felt like I was growing out of a hierarchical teacher/student relationship and into a relationship based on honesty. It scared the shit out of me. I had never felt more alone or conflicted.
As I became closer to this student, I realized that the roles of teacher and student were meaningless compared to the powerful transformation that was occuring. I was learning what it meant to be a real friend, to be someone that loves you or LEARNS to love you no matter what you do or say or think, to accept this process for myself in loving myself and allowing myself to be loved, to commit to the TRUTH that I am a beautiful being of LIGHT who deserves nothing less than all of God's eternal love, and to commit to the TRUTH that you and I are ONE of GOD.
My life has been different ever since.
Wow Adam thanks for the story - reminds me of my experiences when a lesson turned into a real special experience…after some of these experiences - I got addicted to teaching (I mean learning :) - and now looking for these experiences wherever I am … a lesson can happen in the most unexpected moment :-)
Deborah, my dear friend….I never worry about you doing anything to violate my trust and friendship.
I have come to think of “teacher” as the ultimate student–a more dedicated level studentship.
A wonderful story, Adam. Thank you for sharing it.
I agree that the Absolute does not contradict itself. However, it is night and day, neither and both, all at the same time. It's the limited scope of our perception that gives the illusion of contradiction.
True, Anna…there are no places that we are unlikely to find a lesson, only places that we are unlikely to look.
Thank you, dear ones….
Many blessings,
CG
Hi there CG and All,
“there are no places that we are unlikely to find a lesson, only places that we are unlikely to look.”
….. you put it sooo nicely - we tend to just pass by the magic that happens all around…. :)