Spiritual Teachers and Gurus

One of the most controversial and essential themes of spiritual development is the relationship between gurus and devotees, masters and chelas, teachers and students etc. This theme has been commented on at various places on this website and from various spiritual perspectives. On this page you will find the pro 's and the con 's from Sufism, Theosophy, Buddhism and Jiddu Krishnamurti.

Discuss this topic

Can you feel the quality of a spiritual teacher?, Katinka Hesselink
I got a book for review recently that I put down within a few minutes because it made me all jittery. A few days ago we had a spiritual teacher do a lecture at our local theosophical lodge, and he turned the room quiet. We didn't even have questions to last the full time set for that stuff.
Spiritual teachings best fresh?, Katinka Hesselink
I dreamt of fruit going bad last night, so I wonder: are spiritual teachings best 'consumed' fresh? What do you all think are classic spiritual books for instance of the same value as say the fresh teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Eckhart Tolle and the Dalai Lama?
When yoga increases stress: about the teacher, Katinka Hesselink
Yoga is generally sold online and off as a great stress reliever. I can vouch for that: with the right teacher, yoga can be very healthy emotionally. I've often come away from a yoga class with a great big smile on my face that was certainly not there before.
When are you ready to be a spiritual teacher?, Katinka Hesselink
Two people recently made the same remark to me. They both complained that they weren't getting through to people. That they were getting negative responses to their spiritual path. They were rubbing people the wrong way.
Messengers of the Masters or the Great White Brotherhood, Katinka Hesselink
An anonymous reader asks my opinion on the Trans-Himalayan teachings, as they've been called, going from H.P. Blavatsky to Mabel Collins Cook to the Temple of the People to Agni Yoga to Alice Bailey etc.
Caring for beginners a mistake? Katinka Hesselink
Whether beginners are practicing virtues or not is their problem not yours. Believe in no teachers, trust your own logic, your own experiences, make your own mistakes, learn and grow. Have a courageous attitude and be inwardly prepared to die.

That would be all nice and dandy if all I cared about was myself. But I also care about beginners. I care about what effect spiritual teachings have on other people. I care about whether people make themselves and others happy or sad. I care about a lot of things. And I don't feel I need to let go of that in order to 'grow spiritually' - and if I do, I'd rather not grow 'spiritually' at all.

Pro

Con

April 2012: On my position in the theosophical world and the future of this site.