MINI GUIDE ON SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
Know Which of These 3 Spiritual Guidance Methods Is Best For You
Along with their limitations.
Required disclosure: I’m a spiritual coach. No surprise, this post will talk about the benefits of spiritual guidance.
But I’ll be honest. I don’t think everyone needs spiritual guidance.
Why?
Because not everyone is seeking spiritual freedom. Or, in simpler words, self-realization.
Most people are happy in their little world. Spirituality knocks at rare doors. And from those, only the rarest of them choose to pursue it.
But you can’t be happily ignorant once spirituality enters your life. I’ve seen people questioning, “Why do I see the misery and feel so intensely? Why can’t I just ignore like others?”
So, if you are happily unaware and continue to remain so, then you can skip this article. But if the red pill has come to you, you have no choice but to seek spiritual guidance.
1. Social Media
Internet and social media are a boon for seekers.
Before the magical internet, a seeker had to roam and physically search for guidance. It used to take years before landing at a perfect place.
Thankfully, now connecting with others is just a few clicks away. We can talk to others in real-time.
When a spiritual thirst is born in someone, the internet is their first teacher.
The most common queries can be —
- “What I feel is normal or not.
- How do other people deal with it?
- What others say about this.
- How should I manage my situation?”
The slow awakening from the slumber is like a shock for many. Sudden shift or changes (within you) gives rise to many queries.
Talking to individuals going through similar situations gives comfort and solace.
Its limitations —
Connecting with people who’ve just started can give you reassurance. Not help.
The huge hindrance is that they speak from their experience, which might not yet be true to you. So, you can form many mental stories and beliefs unknowingly.
Those who have tasted the truth can actually show the way forward. Not those who are still searching their path.
Being with beginners for a long time can make you stuck or deviate from your goal.
2. Books, blogs, videos or podcasts
When you’re sure that your weird feeling and desire is legit, the next stoppage is mostly a detailed analysis.
I was glued to Quora for almost a decade. I used to gobble spiritual stuff like burgers and pizza. It was my favorite time pass.
I used to feel lucky reading answers I could relate to. Most answers forced me to contemplate and seek further.
I had a plethora of ebooks and physical books, which pushed me on the spiritual path. Intrigued by the stories and spiritual entertainment, I wanted to find more.
Its limitations —
Sure, you can go on reading, listening, and watching videos. They help immensely when one is just testing the water.
That is why genuine books on spirituality sell like hotcakes.
But the biggest drawback is that you understand from your limited perspective.
You can’t question or clarify your doubts. Instead, sometimes, you can create more stories about what you read or listen to.
Have you wondered why you get new insights when you read the same book/blog twice?
Because you are growing. As your understanding deepens, more profound insights come to you easily.
But it takes time and effort. Patience is needed when you don’t have direct guidance.
3. Direct guidance
Fortunately, the widespread internet makes genuine spiritual teachers widely available.
It also gives you a chance to test your compatibility with them.
Read their blogs. Listen to their podcasts. Watch their videos. And you get a solid idea whether you align with them or not.
Almost seven years ago, while reading something, I got attracted to a person’s words. I read his posts repeatedly before I mustered the courage to talk to him.
Within that first call, my heart knew what to do. I found my mentor. I was fortunate to get direct guidance. It's been years, and our connection is growing stronger.
Its limitations -
Direct guidance is difficult to achieve for these reasons —
- You might not be ready for it.
- You might not align with teachers who are present right now.
- You doubt and have already filled your mind with beliefs and stories.
Direct guidance is the shortest path to your self-realization.
When you know someone is there to grab your hand and walk alongside you, it becomes easy to undergo the fire of spirituality.
But mind you, not everybody is ready for direct guidance.
Not everyone can listen and devote themself to another human. Even if they declare themselves as Buddha. The mind will doubt. Logic will drown and devour you.
But when the heartful connection forms, don’t doubt it.
Your mind may not know, but your heart knows.
The barrier to receiving direct guidance.
Someone enthusiastically sought my guidance. I asked them, “You’ve known me for a while. Do you really feel I am the right one to guide you?”
He said yes. But I could feel his doubts and hesitation.
I said, “Okay then, whenever you feel ready, contact me, and we’ll start.”
It's been a year, and I’m yet to hear from him.
It is easy to say yes. But difficult to follow through.
Why?
Because your mind can not trust. Your logic builds a boundary. You have fed more doubts and little heart connection.
It is rare to find a heartful connection in this world.
Why?
Because the heart is considered fragile. Vulnerability is a weakness. When the heart breaks, it hurts a lot. Many shield their heart like a warrior. They lock it in the deep trenches of darkness.
But only a few understand the meaning of heartbreak.
The heart breaks because of your transactional love. The hurt proves that you expected something, and it didn’t happen.
If you are wise, you’ll use the hurt to deepen your understanding. Then, hurt becomes an opportunity to grow more.
Rarely do people live with true authenticity. They hide from themselves. They don’t want to reveal what they truly feel. That is why most people suffer. Because of their unconscious behaviors and feelings.
A genuine guidance appears when one walks on the path of authenticity.
Being utterly naked in front of someone is challenging.
But a true seeker is ready to give their complete self. He/she is desperate to find answers to their life.
When I met my mentor, he asked me, “What do you want?”
I replied with a Hindi song that meant, “Make me free of myself.”
Your level of dedication and desperation makes your guide appear in your life. These daring people are not afraid to show their hidden feelings, however ugly they may seem.
I’ve seen people putting all their trust in me. And when it happens, their lives change.
Your spiritual growth depends not only on guidance but mostly on your trust. You’ll put in sincere efforts when you trust. And that is what transforms you. Not the blabbering of a guide.
A teacher can do nothing if you are in your head. But guidance can miraculously help when your hearts connect.
If you can’t find anyone for direct guidance, then attract them into your life.
How?
Simply by being authentic.
Most people don’t want to see their shortcomings and blame the situation, others, or just about anything. They want quick solutions to their immediate problem. Nothing else.
But spirituality is not a quick balm. It is about being more transparent, innocent, and naked.
You can not hide in spirituality. Everything within you (light, darkness, and every grey shade) will come out in the open.
That is why many people stay away from true spirituality.
Who wants to expose their hidden darkness?
Only the crazy or the authentic ones.
If life has marked you for real spirituality, it becomes impossible to stay away from it.
Nothing can satiate this hunger unless you realize your real self.
People who attract fake gurus are those who are still not authentic. These people want something from their guru. Be it a blessing of prosperity or a child or anything. They don’t have the guts to seek the truth but want to protect their identity by clutching to the shores of ego.
It does not mean the real teacher does not exist.
In fact, you attract the teacher ‘as you are.’ Not what you wish for.
So try to be as authentic as you can be.
Align with your heart. Be daring enough to support your heart and live genuinely.
When you align with your heart, then genuine people arrive in your life. Then, you’d intuitively know who is best for your spiritual growth.
What to do once you suspect the other is right as your spiritual guide?
If you have not formed a heartful connection, judging someone before you seek guidance is practical. Question your spiritual teacher.
Test your guide before you ask them for guidance. Once you feel satisfied, go ahead and DO NOT doubt for the next six months.
Be with them. Be sincere in your practices and homework.
After six months, notice your progress. If your life improves, then continue with them. If not, then change either your teacher or attitude.
My relationship with my mentor is like a devotee.
I know it is a rare thing to happen. But when the heart surrenders, it just does without any explanation.
You can’t force yourself to love someone.
But you can find where your heart inclines. Because in love and devotion, the ego becomes ready to dissolve without any effort.
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