The Sanskrit word guru has several meanings; the most common is teacher. Gu means darkness and ru is the light. The spiritual teacher referred to as a guru is one who can take away the darkness of ignorance and bring down the light of wisdom. Traditionally, the guru is someone who serves as a sacred conduit for spiritual force that she or he uses to guide others. However in modern times, and especially in the Western world, the word has become associated with anyone who acquires followers in virtually any field.
While there are many reliable spiritual teachers who are real gurus; there are also some false gurus and even good gurus who have lost their way. The student-teacher relationship with a guru can be highly rewarding, ideally resulting in the release of old habits and conditioning, and the establishment of greater awareness, success and happiness in life. For this process to be successful, the teacher must be a true guru, and the student must follow the guidance given. Discerning a true guru from a false one, however, is not always easy.
Many spiritual seekers feel desperate as they search for the guidance that will help them reach their greatest potential. Developing discernment, though, is required in taking the first step into any spiritual path. It is good to explore books and scriptures and commit to a period of independent study before beginning the search for a living teacher. Especially study the lives of renowned masters and saints to become familiar with their values and approaches to enlightened life.
Keep in mind that no being in a physical body is perfect. The forces of light and dark are always intermingled in the world. A very good teacher will have some shadow and a very bad teacher will still have some light. Teachers, both good and bad, can play important roles in the process of spiritual awakening.
Look for teachers who endeavor to model the great saints in the way they live their lives. The best teachers are humble, compassionate, patient and kind. They teach how to transmute the ego, not how to cater to its desires. Ask yourself: Hhas this teacher tamed his or her own ego? You can tell much about a person by listening to their words and watching their behavior with these qualities and questions in mind.
Less desirable teachers may exaggerate their level of training or achievements. Even if they have specialized training, they may misuse their knowledge to attract followers and gain money. Some use subtle mind control methods to influence people to purchase products or sign up for paid events. Others may evidence spiritual powers to impress students, gain more fame and keep devotees. Sincere seekers need to know about these pitfalls in order to avoid disappointment and danger in their spiritual journey.
The ideal guru is a trusted friend and advisor who can consciously use the mantle of authority to bring others into their own power. A false teacher uses the position of authority to gain power over followers, interfere in students’ personal lives and create rules that students must follow but from which the teacher is exempt. A real teacher is always turning the seekers deeper into themselves, while the false leader points them repeatedly toward him or herself.
How the teacher views wealth, and how they use the money they make can also be areas for concern. While most Eastern teachers work freely in ashrams built with students’ money, which is also used for their guru’s needs; those who offer training in the West must meet these expenses themselves. Teachers are to be commended for earning a good living while maintaining integrity with money. After meeting their own needs, beneficial teachers use additional money they earn to create more opportunities for spiritual learning, ease suffering and support charitable causes.
Danger Signs: Your Guru May Have Gone Bad
- Shows a consistent lack of humility.
- Controls who is allowed to approach or speak to the guru.
- Accumulates wealth solely for themselves.
- Encourages followers to ignore signals from their bodies for food or water.
- Controls when students can take breaks from training and discourages them from responding to their physical needs outside of allowed times.
- Uses hypnotic speech, intimidation or rapid-fire sales pitches.
Spiritual teachers who arise along the path are reflections of what one is seeking. It is wise to have in mind the attainment of the soul’s own power, and the establishment of this interior self as the sole authority in one’s life. Power and authority are qualities that also stimulate the ego and its attachments. The shadows that are reflected around these issues in the teacher-student dynamic can be extreme. A masterful student is mindful of the nature of this energy and takes responsibility for his/her own awakening from ego into spiritual life.
Chavah Aima is an authority on Western esoteric systems, including Hermetic Kabbalah and Spiritual Alchemy, who has taught Kundalini Yoga and Alchemical Tantra and has created Alchemical Yoga®. Chavah is the founder of the nonprofit Enlightened Life Sanctuary based in Austin, Texas. Her latest book is Living Light: The 21-Day Alchemical Regeneration Plan. Visit her websites: enlightenedlife.org or alchemicalyoga.com or her blog: chavahaima.plumbsocial.com. chavah@enlightenedlife.org.
By Chavah Aima
