Thursday, April 15, 2004
How to Tell a True Teacher from a False One
1. Trust your gut.
2. Use your head.
3. Anyone who tells you that they are enlightened, isn't.
4. Anyone who claims to have all the answers, doesn't.
5. Look at the "followers." Do they look healthy and happy, or are they depressed, emaciated, listless?
6. Are you invited to explore and compare these teachings with others?
7. Is this a closed system, or one of open inquiry?
8. Does the leader enjoy an extremely affluent lifestyle?
9. Does the leader indulge in abuse of the followers--sexual, mental, even financial?
l0. Does the leader engage in egregious commercialism, with the obvious goal of financial gain?
11. Does the teacher honor and respect each person, no matter what their level of spiritual or personal development?
12. Are students punished or threatened with dire consequences for not adhering to a strict regimen?
13. Does the teacher promise more than anyone could deliver? Is it a "quick road to enlightenment?"
14. Does the teacher listen? Is the teacher willing to be taught?
15. Is the teacher addicted to drugs or alchohol or sex or money?
16. Does the teacher have something of value to offer, something beyond what you (and most others) already know?
17. Is the instruction interesting or a waste of your time?
18. Does the teacher expect to be treated more like a god than a fellow journeyer who wishes to share some of his/her gifts with the world?
And--what makes a good teacher? Just the opposite of the above. An authentic teacher with valuable insights and direction to offer is quite rare. There are many charlatans abroad, some of whom prey on their students to serve their own ego needs. Others sincerely believe what they put forth, and are simply misguided. Some seem to know little other than what their teacher or tradition handed down to them.
Find someone who makes you think, "I would like to be like that person in some way." Find someone who excites you, who is full of passion, who is sincere and articulate. Find someone who has thought deeply about things, and gives wisdom as a gift. It has been said that the best teacher is one who is slightly more advanced than the student, but not so far ahead that the student cannot follow.
Find someone from whom you can learn. Find someone who is kind. Find someone who is not afraid to love.
2. Use your head.
3. Anyone who tells you that they are enlightened, isn't.
4. Anyone who claims to have all the answers, doesn't.
5. Look at the "followers." Do they look healthy and happy, or are they depressed, emaciated, listless?
6. Are you invited to explore and compare these teachings with others?
7. Is this a closed system, or one of open inquiry?
8. Does the leader enjoy an extremely affluent lifestyle?
9. Does the leader indulge in abuse of the followers--sexual, mental, even financial?
l0. Does the leader engage in egregious commercialism, with the obvious goal of financial gain?
11. Does the teacher honor and respect each person, no matter what their level of spiritual or personal development?
12. Are students punished or threatened with dire consequences for not adhering to a strict regimen?
13. Does the teacher promise more than anyone could deliver? Is it a "quick road to enlightenment?"
14. Does the teacher listen? Is the teacher willing to be taught?
15. Is the teacher addicted to drugs or alchohol or sex or money?
16. Does the teacher have something of value to offer, something beyond what you (and most others) already know?
17. Is the instruction interesting or a waste of your time?
18. Does the teacher expect to be treated more like a god than a fellow journeyer who wishes to share some of his/her gifts with the world?
And--what makes a good teacher? Just the opposite of the above. An authentic teacher with valuable insights and direction to offer is quite rare. There are many charlatans abroad, some of whom prey on their students to serve their own ego needs. Others sincerely believe what they put forth, and are simply misguided. Some seem to know little other than what their teacher or tradition handed down to them.
Find someone who makes you think, "I would like to be like that person in some way." Find someone who excites you, who is full of passion, who is sincere and articulate. Find someone who has thought deeply about things, and gives wisdom as a gift. It has been said that the best teacher is one who is slightly more advanced than the student, but not so far ahead that the student cannot follow.
Find someone from whom you can learn. Find someone who is kind. Find someone who is not afraid to love.
