sparklekaz
Someone asked me.. What is your religion? I said, "All the paths that lead to the light".
Posts: 3,658
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Post by sparklekaz on May 12, 2012 23:11:10 GMT
I believe that spiritual growth comes from life experiences, knowledge and observation. What I would like to know is, to fulfill our full spiritual potential, is this enough, or do we need some extra help. Do you believe we need a teacher? Whatever your opinion is, I would like you to share it and your reasons why.
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Post by gruntal on May 13, 2012 2:01:20 GMT
It is suggested that it is impossible to be enlightened in the absence of some outside enfluence. No amount of effort will change anything and it is arrogant to assume otherwise.
What is not obvious is what that guilding help is or what and where it emanates. That harkons to the perenial Judeo-Christian gospel that G*d reached out to man and not vice versa. Or the Rosicrucian Golder Dawn teachings that the "Masters" control everything and will recognise those that are ready for enlightenment. I have no idea of any of this from personal experience but do tend to find comfort, if not total frustration, in the realization that things beyond my understanding are not so much reflective of me but merely what has been revealed to me.
They say when the student is ready the teacher will come. When some one approaches me I tend to throw stones. I must remember not to do that. It might be my savior. No telling what he/she/it might look like.
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Post by jessiethecorgi on May 13, 2012 8:01:44 GMT
i feel we need not just a teacher but an entire support system or organization. i am going to have counselors from Buddhism, Pentecostal Christianity, Kabbalah and metaphysics. I am interested in further mortification of myself. You were uncomfortable with my new thing Kaz but this is a way of developing tolerance and strength through strong experience. i have the heart of a soldier and that is my wild side. Remember my totem is a wild dog that is half coyote and half rottweiler. i am loyal, protective and brave. But i am also too proud and crafty. i really need to do something about this before i get in huge trouble again. i am so mischievous i actually need to be taken down a notch on a regular basis...lol. So in summation we need input from either one complex source or many sources along with maintanece of our human flaws.
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Post by silvereagle on May 17, 2012 16:40:34 GMT
There are many amongst us who could teach, its listeners we need !!, maybe we dont need teachers as such, living our lives by example may one day be enough....Kevin.
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Post by Floraloak on May 18, 2012 10:54:14 GMT
Very good question Kaz, I’m sure you’ll get a number of different answers.
I believe, once upon a time, in a perfect world our parents and community were our teachers and our support system. That is not to say they were to teach us in a traditional sense but rather they were to guide us to listen inwardly. That is where we truly learn. That is where our spirituality resides. I believe that way back when the people in our lives were our mentors, and what needed to be taught was to ‘sit quietly, so we could connect to source’.
These days this, as we all know doesn’t happen, or when it appears to be happening all too often we hear horror stories of cults, corruption in any number of churches, etc… today one has to be careful and use discernment entering into any type of spiritual community (in person and on line) so that we’re not steered the wrong way.
But how does one use discernment when we don’t even know what that is (such is the case for many)? Discernment means … the ability to see what is not evident to the average mind (stressing accuracy, as in reading character or motives). It’s the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure.
I believe this is what was encouraged way back when and so too should be encouraged today. I also believe that the term ‘teacher’ has been over used and misunderstood in the spiritual lingo world. No one can tell or teach another the right way for them.
I do agree with Kevin in that those that have any level of spiritual wisdom, experience, and realizations should live their truths and live/Be examples for those around them… teachers often use examples to get a concept across to the student… so would you rather be the teacher or the example?
God bless,
Silvia
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Post by bluestarman1 on May 22, 2012 19:49:21 GMT
My own spiritual growth has been self-inflicted and do-it-youself for more years than I like to remember. And even though I am still evolving, I have reached a level of spiritual awareness that I find satisfying and rewarding. However looking back I feel that my journey would not have been so long or convoluted if I had found a teacher or guide that would have pointed out ideas and directions that took me so long to discover on my own. But, really, would I still be the same person? Jump ball on this one Kaz.
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Ishtahota
The one question that anwsers all other questions. Who am I?
Posts: 184
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Post by Ishtahota on May 23, 2012 3:03:48 GMT
Life itself is a spiritual journey. What you need to learn is infront of you when you need it. I just had to learn to think differently and do my personal clearing work. When I needed teachers most found me when I was ready. Later on after opening up to conscious contact my learning became more like remembering. There are a lot of tricks that can speed things up, the trick is finding the ones that are right for you. Another thing about spirit work is that you are only going to get out of it, what you are willing to put into it.
Even the so called bad teachers have something to teach you. You just have to go for it and never ever give up. Spiritual growth is not all love and light. The real stuff is hard, it is scary, it is discusting at times when the Spirits show you what you have really become. The real work is hard. Things will get worse before they get better.
When things get real and tough on a path, a lot of people just pick another path. THERE IS NO EASIER SOFTER WAY.
All truth and knowledge is already in you. The first trick is to learn how to access it. The second trick has to do with the ego. A lot of the time we only hear what we want to hear from source and not what really is. We are all teachers and we are all students. WE ARE ALSO THE ONES THAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING ON.
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Post by bluestarman1 on May 24, 2012 12:00:48 GMT
It finally dawned on me where the last line of Ishtahota's post came from. He may be right on a couple of levels
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Post by alvinw333 on Nov 26, 2013 23:50:13 GMT
It is true we develop spiritualy on our own, but tben it becomes a time we do need a spirjtual guide or teacher, one tbat teaches one to go inside to lean the truth for our self, and one that can link us to the Holy Spirit, this is a true Master or guide and teacher. A true Master is a inner and a outer Master. Also the inner Master is the only one that can guide Soul to heaven. No Soul knows how to get to heaven. And it is through the Holy Spirit that we spiritualy develop our godlike qulitys that are already in us. This is my understanding. But we do have to have discrimination or kudgement
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Post by alvinw333 on Nov 27, 2013 0:02:09 GMT
Or judgement to find the true guide or teacher. Now the question is what do you want to be tought? To improve you physicic abilitys, your spiritual abilities, to go home to God or what. When the chela ( spiritual student) is ready the Master will apear is a tearm for the true Master
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Post by alvinw3 on Jan 19, 2015 20:13:56 GMT
The outer Master which means the phiscal body will give you spiritual tools by his discorses or books so one can use to go inside to learn for ones self, or certain excersises to do, or knoledge to avoid or to sugest to do, such as how to avoid bad karma how to receive good karma how to work off bad karma and so on , and how the negitive power works tokeep one traped on earth so one wont make it to heaven
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Post by alvinw3 on Jan 19, 2015 20:22:25 GMT
I believe also spiritual groth does happen by lifes experiences, but as we learn we get alot of bad karma, which is how we learn, but the teacher helps us to resolve our karma even in the dream state, otherwise it would take us more than one life time to resolve our bad karma
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Post by baangus on Jan 20, 2015 13:40:37 GMT
as we learn we get alot of bad karma, which is how we learn, but the teacher helps us to resolve our karma even in the dream state, otherwise it would take us more than one life time to resolve our bad karma Karma is not bad, it is merely one aspect of the ongoing story of our individual and collective soul evolution. Think of it in every day terms: for example, you make a mistake or act in a way that causes another individual pain. Once you understand what you've done, once you have woken up to that particular soul understanding, you are free to make amends and correct that mistake. And until you do, that dis-ease between you and that other soul you hurt, will quite probably continue. And it may even continue into another life time. These are soul lessons. They're necessary. They're a good thing. |
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Post by baangus on Jan 20, 2015 13:49:53 GMT
I believe that spiritual growth comes from life experiences, knowledge and observation. What I would like to know is, to fulfill our full spiritual potential, is this enough, or do we need some extra help. Do you believe we need a teacher? Whatever your opinion is, I would like you to share it and your reasons why. I would say everyone we meet is a teacher, Kaz. So yes, I agree with the first part of your statement above. The idea that a spiritual teacher or higher guide is required in order to initiate us into deeper occult secrets, is not something I personally believe in. On the other hand, I realize my opinion is based on my experience of never having meet someone like that, so who knows! |
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Post by tribunalofmercy on Jan 20, 2015 14:20:35 GMT
All of life seems to be symbiotically dependent on other parts of life, for nothing of Us exists in a vacuum (standing alone)…only that which Is (All/God) stands complete. Perhaps we are one who best benefits by a manifested, incarnate teacher. Perhaps we are best suited to be taught by Many. Perhaps we simply need to recognize that we Do not stand alone, that we Do not have all the answers and we are in Need of the Whole, in order to best grow Into the whole. I grew up in a family of ‘control-freaks’ and who still Are, so it is a tendency of mine not to ‘reach out’ as easily in times of need, lol. But I have been made aware that I would not Be as I am without the help of my own guides/teachers, and it does not pain me to say so. They are Much wiser than I am, with infinite patience and love to give, tending me as a gardener tends his flowers. And because of them I Grow. I told Kaz yesterday that when I am Most likely to make mistakes, have misunderstandings with others, or build 'walls' that would limit me, it is because of an actual Lack on my part in some way, that I am projecting onto/into the other person or situation…I may think I am seeing what Others think of me, or of our situation/conversation, but I am actually reflecting what “I” think about it. I cannot do this with my guides; they are spirit, non-dual, not having human limitations and therefore no matter How confused or upset I am about anything I cannot seem to ‘project’ my own thinking onto them. I see Truth when I look at them, and it grounds me; centers me; puts me back on Track. I do believe there are likely a few manifested (currently human) ‘spiritual teachers’, gurus out there who have achieved as much of non-duality as is possible while still human and therefore ‘reflect’ their students and others in a similar way to my guides. It’s Very helpful  Do we ‘need’ a spiritual teacher(s)? What is Need? As a child of control freaks, I developed a passive-aggressive, rebellious nature from my youth and have not always been the best judge of what I truly Need, but I see the wisdom of the learning. Sometimes it becomes a paradox within our nature that we gain control of ourselves by the Release of our own control, yet it is the Release of this control which Gives us control. And I am the better for it. |
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Post by baangus on Jan 20, 2015 15:20:57 GMT
Do we ‘need’ a spiritual teacher(s)? What is Need? As a child of control freaks, I developed a passive-aggressive, rebellious nature from my youth and have not always been the best judge of what I truly Need, but I see the wisdom of the learning. Sometimes it becomes a paradox within our nature that we gain control of ourselves by the Release of our own control, yet it is the Release of this control which Gives us control. And I am the better for it. Yes exactly, so much wisdom in this! I would say we need is what it is the individual soul identifies as important to her/his own personal growth. I certainly have no need for a spiritual teacher, not in this lifetime anyway. There's an underlying question here for me that has to do with the nature of any and all religious and spiritual doctrine, and how doctrine and dogma works against this whole idea of gaining control of ourselves. That really is an integral aspect of the original question that Kaz asked, and it's something that needs to be examined if we're interested in having a depth conversion on this topic. |
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Post by aceofcups on Jan 20, 2015 15:58:57 GMT
I am not a one-wayer.. to some it is useful, to some useful at different stages, to some it is not useful at all for part or whole of journey,,, to some it is teaching instead of a teacher,,, we all are all the same Ultimately as Spirit but how ones gets there is not the same. So for me and my understanding - no "right" answer.
just my two-cents.
peace
aceofcups
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Post by alvinw3 on Jan 20, 2015 20:47:04 GMT
My understanding and it is writen if we want spiritual freedom, liberation from the Wheel of the Eighty-Four or Jivan Mukti we need a teacher, no any teacher on that has made the jurney to heaven and has received the Rod of Power from Sat Nam, this makes him or her the true Satguru the outer and inner Master this inner master is the Mahanta the Holy Spirit, the living Word that takes the formof the outer master, he has the power to link Soul to the Holy Spirit, to the returning wave that leads Soul back home to heaven, this inner master helps one, its with one all the time it know what we think and want and. When one delops further can comunicate to him and he to us, this takes a human form so it can channel to us its camunication, a ascended master canot do this, plus the asended master passes over the Rod of Power to his successer so he becomes the Living Word. This is my understanding. The Mahanta and the Holy Spirit is the one that unfolds Soul and the human in things like opening our third eye, or inner hearing by practis from the spiritual tools the outer master gives us, so its not realy that hard to acomplish, and Soul travel ,so all these things are experience my ones self. Now theres other teachers that lead you to other planes, but not back home were Soul longs to go back to, is what I understand
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Post by alvinw3 on Jan 20, 2015 21:35:33 GMT
I miss spelled a few things up above, hope you understand what I was trying to say about the spiritual traveler for spiritual freedom he teaches Soul also with out us or mind knowing which makes Soul stronger or awakens Soul so it can over power the mind to somewhat so were guided by Soul insted of the mind, theres a saying; the mind knowes but the heart knows better
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Post by baangus on Jan 20, 2015 21:53:53 GMT
I am not a one-wayer.. for me and my understanding - no "right" answer.
Hi aceofcups. I would be interested in discussing the premise that there is no right answer. I'm well-aware it's the popular position to take these days in spiritual/new age forums. I understand that position, and I'm certainly dead-set against doctrine and dogma of any sort. At the same time however, we are all of the same spiritual essence. And I feel there are questions to explore here with regards to, at the very least, certain realities and truths pertaining to our collective soul-spirit growth and evolution. For me, tribunalofmercy hit upon one such collective truth and reality: release of control gives rise to control of the I, and to a entirely new way of standing in the world as a soul-spirit being. The result of the awakened I is nothing short of a paradigm shift in consciousness. Awakening the I results in the birth of god-self intuition, wisdom and understanding. And once the god-self (the I or intuitive eye) is awakened and active, there is no longer a need for religious beliefs, or spiritual doctrine of any kind, or gurus or teachers. I put forward the idea that this is a fundamental truth pertaining to and affecting all human beings. It is an integral part the human self-realization path; it is the "one way" that enlightened masters such as Buddha and Jesus identified and spoke of. |
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Post by aceofcups on Jan 20, 2015 22:41:25 GMT
hey bangus
you took part of what I wrote not complete post... i am not one-wayer about idea do we need a teacher or not,, i don't think everybody's path is the same., eventual Goal it leads to IS..,, question posed by kaz was do we need a teacher.
just my thoughts
ace
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Post by baangus on Jan 20, 2015 23:59:40 GMT
Yes ace, I'm aware of all that and I acknowledged your position. I was simply attempting to open up a broader discussion on the topic. Never mind then, thanks.
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cyberangel
~ As above so below, as within so without ~
Posts: 818
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Post by cyberangel on Jan 21, 2015 2:10:10 GMT
Hi Karen Great question I agree with you that life is the best teacher...for within life there are many teachers, whether we WANT them or not is another question, but as I have learned we don't always get what we want...but we do always get what we NEED! When a child is born into this world...Do we leave the child to their own device's? Is the child able to rely totally upon themself to meet all their NEEDS? Ask a struggling teen do they NEED any help or assistance and you will often get a quick reply, "im fine or I can do it myself"! But, we as adults can clearly see both child and teen NEED teaching...so why would it be any different for us adults? Do we stop being in 'need' when we reach adulthood??? Now, what kind of teacher do we NEED is another story...and one that is very hard to answer...for some already know what teacher they want or seek...but is what they think...what they actually need?...for others they dont want or feel a need for a teacher...but they are probably the one's that NEED one the most! What you and I want or seek could be the same thing...but our needs could be completely different. My personal view on this is...I see each person,be it a child, teen or adult...or preacher, guru or atheist, I view ALL people as both teachers and students. And whether I agree or not with them, I accept they are in my life for a reason (lesson) therefore whether I want them or not, they are there for some need. Each of us has our own 'needs' and each of us will be provided with the teachers that best match our needs...guaranteed!  Love and Light |
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Post by aceofcups on Jan 21, 2015 4:45:43 GMT
ok thank you baangus.. sorry... actually my understanding of question section here as Leon set up was that it is not for discussion on topics ( that is more for Forum section) but question section was set up for each to give their answers to a question posed.
peace
aceofcups
Rules of question section as set up:
On this section, please either ask a question or answer a question. if your reply does not attempt to answer the question or bring some understanding about the question, it will be removed.
This is not a place for general chit chat, do not just agree with what someone has said, put your point of view.
Questions should be clear and precise, aiding those who seek answers.
Do not ridicule what others have put, instead state what you believe is the right answer.
Allow others to make their minds up what they think is the best answer to the question set. Do not try to belittle the replies of others.
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mojomojo
Go deep enough, and there is a bedrock of truth, however hard.
Posts: 694 
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Post by mojomojo on Jan 21, 2015 9:13:34 GMT
Hi all,
I believe that every thing that we experience in life is a teaching, the good and bad.
I don't believe in getting caught up in progress, as I feel all this is automatically taken care of, and that which we need, will come to us exactly when needed.
Whether this is in the form of life experiences, or people who come into our path, doesn't really matter.
So I guess, we meet spiritual teachers all the time, are they essential, for that particular time and purpose, probably.
Can we do it without them, I would say, yes, inspiration and intuition comes from within, there is nothing that spirit, cannot get to us, if it so wishes.
Will we need a Guru at some stage on the journey, no idea, all I can truthfully say is I have made it this far without one,
Where ever that maybe.
I don't think it really matters, Kaz,
Just my opinion.
Robert.
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Post by alvinw3 on Jan 21, 2015 20:40:39 GMT
I believe in a way we do need a spiritual teacher and we dont, it depends what wewant to acomplish or learn say like Soul travel one might learn by oneself, but finds he can go only so far, not knowing how to advance to a higher plane, with spiritual guide he will. But say one wants to open up his god like qualitys that are already in him one might be able to do so without a teacher by making contact with the Holy Spirit, which would be the fastest way, by daylycontact, one will grow spiritualy and after a wile Spirit will answer or show one what one wants to learn,.. but its up to that person if he or see believes they need a teacher or not, for what spiritualy they want to learn or achieve, cause most of the teachers, are not true spiritual teachers and some are, the Holy Spirit knows..... My the Blessings Be
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Post by inuni on Feb 17, 2015 3:29:13 GMT
It is my experience that the source of your existence and your reality is conscious, it(& not him or her) is 1 with all, all of 1. It is the embryo's responsibility to extend the umbilical to mature, this is the meaning of life, evolution and even death. The creator is mentor, the mentor is savior. I don't know how to post a link to a video but if you look up"emergance of the universal mind" a ted talks video might put this into perspective. Each cell contains DNA for the whole organism, not to be confused as the whole, like wise are we. It is our responsibility to extend our invisible umbilical to the "macromind" & learn,evolve n live. Namaste'(the divine invested in me salutes the divine invested in you) - |
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Post by Bartholomew on Mar 21, 2015 17:13:19 GMT
Hi Sparklekaz I hold to the belief in the old saying: "When the student is ready the teacher appears". Agreeing with this it would seem a good idea for us to act independently, doing as much as possible, learning as much as we can, preparing, until that waited for moment arrives. It sounds simple and I believe it's true but a problem remains. How do we recognize the teacher when she/he presents him/her self? I answered this for myself by following the advice of someone I trusted who told me that I might proceed as though everyone I met was my teacher. This I tried to do. It wasn't easy. I think it was good advice though. I found that to do this I had to first practice a degree of self discipline and control that I had never before be able to achieve. This turned out to be the best thing I could have done because one day, a few years later, my spiritual guide made himself known to me in a manner which I could not mistake. This was how I came to know my guide, Bartholomew.
In simpler terms I would say, "Yes. We need a teacher" but that our teacher may be either in or out of carnation. This doesn't matter much.
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Post by stardust on Apr 15, 2015 15:58:31 GMT
I feel we need lots of help along the way, and "they say" when you are ready, the teacher appears.
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Post by Bartholomew on Apr 20, 2015 6:54:44 GMT
I believe that spiritual growth comes from life experiences, knowledge and observation. What I would like to know is, to fulfill our full spiritual potential, is this enough, or do we need some extra help. Do you believe we need a teacher? Whatever your opinion is, I would like you to share it and your reasons why. Yes. But this does not mean that the teacher must be another who is presently in physical form. Our guides often are the best help. And who are guides? They are not some super race of beings who are immune to the trials of living on Earth (and other planets). They are souls just like us only a bit more advanced. If we have attained a certain status in our growth our soul may well be guide and teacher to other souls. This can happen without our knowing it since the soul is nothing, really, to do with the present Earth personality. The personality is seldom aware of the full experiential level of the soul. In simplest terms spiritual growth is naught but a series of realizations. Nothing more. Knowledge is of little use when the ability to understand it is lacking. Knowledge is of value only when it leads to wisdom and it is this which we seek. The attainment of wisdom is the reason, the sole reason, for our coming to Earth in the first place. Have we noticed that when we humans gain knowledge we so often use it first in negative ways? For instance new technology is so often used by the military to gain advantage over others for selfish, fear based, reasons. There is knowledge here but no wisdom. Teachers help us to know the difference. They do not exist just to tell us things but to guide us to right habits in thinking. When we finally arrive at the portal of initiation it will only be because we have learned how to use what we know and we cannot do that until we learn to set aside the requirements of self. Blessings to us all... |
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