Wes Annac ~ The Teachers Speak

The Teachers Speak: The Role of the Guru – Part 1/3

January 5, 2016 / Wes Annac


By Wes Annac, Culture of Awareness
A ‘guru’ is a spiritual teacher who’s life mission is to show the way to enlightenment. The guru is generally seen as an enlightened figure, but some teachers are imperfect and honest about their imperfection.
They teach that being comfortable with imperfection is an important step to enlightenment, and I’m sure every teacher learns as they teach, no matter how enlightened they may be.
Full-on enlightenment isn’t always required to show the way, and personally, I’d rather study under someone who’s aware of their flaws and willing to discuss them than someone who claims to be perfect.
Here, we’ll hear from various popular spiritual figures on the subject of the guru. We’ll learn what a guru is and why these teachers are important, and I’ll share my thoughts on what we read along the way.
I’d recommend a healthy level of discernment and independent thinking with the material we’ll explore. Rather than taking it at face value, feel free to form your own opinion.
The reverence some gurus enjoy probably doesn’t vibe well with some spiritual seekers, and however cliche this might sound, the true teacher lives within.
The guru’s purpose is to show the way, and not one of them, however enlightened, can get us there by themselves; they can only guide us on a unique, personal journey.

Sri Ramakrishna. Credit: rkmdelhi.org
According to Sri Ramakrishna, the guru is a matchmaker between man and the Most High.
“Do you know what the guru is? He is like a matchmaker. A matchmaker arranges for the union of the bride with the bridegroom. Likewise, a guru prepares for the meeting of the individual soul with his Beloved, the Divine Spirit.” (1)
The guru, Paramahansa Yogananda tells us, is appointed by God to help devotees find enlightenment.
“The Guru (or Preceptor) is the living embodiment of scriptural truths and is the agent of salvation appointed by God in response to a devotee’s demands for release from all bondage of matter.” (2)
To ‘attain our highest goal’, he tells us, it helps to have a teacher whom we can follow closely with ‘intelligent devotion’.
“Hence, the first requisite in your spiritual path lies not entirely in going to church services and being a passive member, satisfied merely with listening to sermons, but also in finding your spiritual Guru who will lead you as far along the spiritual path as you wish to go.
“Having found him, follow him closely, obey him with intelligent devotion, and practice what he teaches you: thus ultimately you will attain your highest goal. ” (3)
My interpretation of intelligent devotion is to be discerning with the guidance we receive.
Not everyone who studies under a guru foolishly places all of their trust in this figure before knowing whether or not they should, and some people scrupulously evaluate a teacher before they study under them.

Credit: inspiringshortstories.org
In my eyes, to follow a guru with ‘intelligent devotion’ is to be devoted if we feel we should yet willing to intelligently question what we’re told; not for the sake of rebellion, but to learn as much as we can on this path full of infinite possibilities.
If a guru takes offense at being questioned instead of seeing it as an opportunity to help their student grow, they might not be as credible as they want people to think.
I’m sure any genuine teacher would welcome the opportunity to help their student learn more, just like the student would welcome the chance to broaden their understanding.
Continued in Part 2 tomorrow.

Footnotes:

1. Swami Chetananda, They Lived with God. Life Stories of Some Devotees of Sri Ramakrishna. St. Louis: Vedanta Society of St. Louis, 1989, 270.
   
2. Paramahansa Yogananda, The Second Coming of Christ. Three vols. Dallas: Amrita Foundation, 1979-86, 1, 8.
   
3. Ibid., 11.
   

Thanks to Wes at: http://cultureofawareness.com

The Teachers Speak: The Role of the Guru – Part 2/3

January 6, 2016 / Wes Annac


By Wes Annac, Culture of Awareness
Continued from Part 1.
It’s easier to follow a living man or woman than a scripture, Paramahansa Yogananda tells us, which is why gurus are often preferred over spiritual writings.
“It is more easy to follow a living, breathing, talking man (who lives truth) than a mute scripture.
“If a saint has reached his goal, whether by the shorter Yoga route, or by the longwinded spiritual-prayer way, he experiences actual self-realization. Anyone following him certainly would reach the goal by using either method.” (1)

Paramahansa Yogananda. Credit: supremeswan.com
He also shares something heartwarming his master once told him.
“My Master once said to me: ‘I will be your friend from now until Eternity, no matter whether you are on the lowest mental plane or on the highest plane of wisdom. I will be your friend if ever you should err, for then you will need my friendship more than at any other time.’” (2)
There’s usually a deep bond between student and teacher, and when it comes to a teacher being upset if a student decides to leave them, it’s understandable even though it’s the student’s decision and should be honored.
I’ve heard stories of gurus angrily condemning students who leave, and while it might seem untoward of a genuine teacher, personal feelings could get involved when a teacher and student share a strong bond.
You’d think part of the teacher’s job would be not to get too emotionally involved, but it might be necessary to be closer than usual with one’s students so they can learn properly.
Some teachers have taken this too far by having affairs with their students and sullying the good name of genuine gurus, but closeness seems necessary in the student-teacher relationship.

Swami Chetanananda. Credit: nityanandatradition.org
Citing the Guru Gita, Swami Chetanananda explains the term ‘guru’.
“The Guru Gita explains the word guru: gu means ‘darkness or ignorance’; ru means ‘destroyer.’ He or she who destroys or removes the ignorance of the disciple is a guru.” (3)
Like I mentioned earlier, the Most High is the true guru and we can only connect with this source of divine guidance within. Our next few quotes will explore this idea further.
Shankara tells us that we find the guru in the Atman.
“In you [the Atman] … We find the guru.” (4)
What exactly is the Atman? Encylopedia Brittanica tells us that it’s the Universal Self, basically equal with Brahman (Brahman is better known as God or the ‘highest universal principle’ according to Wikipedia).
“Atman, ( Sanskrit: ‘self,’ ‘breath’) one of the most basic concepts in Hinduism, the universal self, identical with the eternal core of the personality that after death either transmigrates to a new life or attains release (moksha) from the bonds of existence.
“Atman is that which makes the other organs and faculties function and for which indeed they function; it also underlies all the activities of a person, as brahman (the Absolute) underlies the workings of the universe.
“Atman is part of the universal brahman, with which it can commune or even fuse. So fundamental was the atman deemed to be that certain circles identified it with brahman.” (5)
We find the Atman, and subsequently Brahman, by looking within.
The guru exists as an option for those who want help reaching enlightenment, and even though some people feel that the guru is an exalted instrument of God, we don’t have to study under one to find enlightenment.
We can find it in our own way and our own time, and while it might take longer, it’ll be just as worthwhile for those who prefer to enlighten themselves without extra assistance. I enjoy the little bits of help I receive from spiritual writings, but it pales in comparison to a good meditation.
Concluded in Part 3 tomorrow.

Footnotes:

1. Paramahansa Yogananda, The Second Coming of Christ. Three vols. Dallas: Amrita Foundation, 1979-86, 1, 9.
   
2. Ibid., 6.
   
3. Swami Chetanananda, God Lived with Them. St. Louis: Vedanta Society of St. Louis, 1997, 114.
   
4. Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher lsherwood, Shankara’s Crest-Jewel of Discrimination. Hollywood: Vedanta Press, 1975; c1947, i.
   
5. Encyclopedia Brittanica: “Atman” – http://www.britannica.com/topic/atman
   

Thanks to Wes at: http://cultureofawareness.com

The Teachers Speak: The Role of the Guru – Part 3/3

January 7, 2016 / Wes Annac


By Wes Annac, Culture of Awareness
Concluded from Part 2.
Ramakrishna tells us that the guru “is all in all. There is no one higher than the Guru.” (1)

Look within. Credit: subversive1.blogspot.com
While the Most High sometimes uses a teacher to get through to us in the external world, we’re also guided from within.
“God is the Inner Guide. He sees the longing of our heart and the yearning of our soul.” (2)
Our hearts are seen and our struggle is known, and if we can open the mind and look within, we’ll have all the love and guidance we need.
Our creator knows that we hunger for the higher vibration we once enjoyed. This is why so many continuous attempts are made, whether through a guru or not, to get our attention and remind us that we’re universal beings playing the temporary role of limited humans.
Once we see the signs and start to wake up, we kick start the process of spiritual evolution.
Whether a teacher gets us there faster or not, we’ll eventually return to the heavenly realms from which we came. This is why some people are more focused on helping the world than seeking enlightenment; they’re interested in spirituality but aware that they’ll inevitably return to a higher state of consciousness.
For now, they might as well put all of their energy into helping the world.
There’s nothing wrong with focusing more on the problems that plague this world in the here and now than ascending or attaining enlightenment, because the latter two will come at some point no matter what we do.
Even if we fall far off of the path and lose ourselves in darkness (which obviously isn’t recommended), we will return to the light one day. Since our fate is secure no matter what, the best use of our energy in the meantime is to create a better world for future generations.

Credit: quotespictures.com
Ramakrishna tells us that God manifests Himself as the guru to help those who are lost.
“Before you came here, you didn’t know who you were. Now you will know. It is God who, as the guru, makes one know.” (3)
With everything the Most High has done for us, it makes sense that He would also show the way back home. Ramakrishna explains.
“He who is the Lord of the Universe will teach everyone. He alone teaches us, who has created this universe; who has made the sun and the moon, men and beasts, and all other beings; who has provided means for their sustenance; who has given children parents and endowed them with love to bring them up.
“The Lord has done so many things – will He not show people the way to worship Him? If they need teaching, then He will be the Teacher. He is our Inner Guide.” (4)
Contradicting what I wrote before about a guru being comfortable with his or her imperfection, Ramakrishna tells us that the guru can only show the way if he’s understood as a flawless embodiment of God.
“It is Satchidananda that comes to us in the form of the guru. If a man is initiated by a human guru, he will not achieve anything if he regards his guru as a mere man.
“The guru should be regarded as the direct manifestation of God. Only then can the disciple have faith in the mantra given by the guru. Once a man has faith he achieves all.” (5)
This is another area in which we’ll want to think for ourselves. While faith is important, I don’t think we should put all of our faith in any spiritual figure, however enlightened they seem, because we all have a shadow side.
Some teachers have worked through their shadow side and are as enlightened as one can be on this planet, but I think we should be cautious in claiming that someone is divine or one with God.
We all have a spark of creator light in us, and we can all find enlightenment should we choose to focus on it. If we decide to study under a teacher, we can do so consciously rather than going purely on faith or assuming they’re God incarnate simply because we’re supposed to.
It probably helps to have faith in one’s teacher, but I think we should reserve most of our faith for ourselves and what we can achieve with the evolution of our soul.

Credit: joepaulspeaks.com
If a man or woman successfully awakens our consciousness, Ramakrishna tells us, we can then be sure they are God in human form. Once we attain enlightenment, we no longer distinguish between teacher and student.
“Satchidananda alone is the Guru. If a man in the form of a guru awakens spiritual consciousness in you, then know for certain that it is God the Absolute who has assumed that human form for your sake.
“The guru is like a companion who leads you by the hand. After the realization of God, one loses the distinction between the guru and the disciple. … The relationship between them remains as long as the disciple does not see God.” (6)
Various distinctions will continue to exist as long as we feel separate from a higher consciousness. When we evolve into the understanding that everything is one, however, we see the value of a living teacher while realizing that the Most High, accessible within, has been our teacher all along.
The guru provided a bridge between the inner and outer world and helped us unlock states of consciousness that would’ve been difficult to attain without them, but they led us to something we can access at any time if we’re willing to do the necessary inner work.
It’d be more difficult and require more work since we’d be on our own, but it’s entirely possible to access these things without a teacher if we know our true power. The guru s intended to make us aware of our power, and if we don’t look within often, we could have the best teacher but make little progress because we aren’t relying on ourselves.
Once we shift our reliance from the external world to the internal, our inner wellspring of consciousness and awareness comes pouring to the surface. We can not only find enlightenment as a result, but create art that inspires and uplifts this lost world.

Credit: Life Hack Quotes
Some spiritual seekers find it necessary to have a teacher, while others prefer to walk the path without any guidance or direction.
What really matters is our dedication to our life purpose, our spiritual path and the higher consciousness within our reach. Guru or not, we can all evolve if we passionately engage our evolution and try to help the world in the process.
Footnotes:

1. Swami Vivishananda, The Saga of a Great Soul. Glimpses into the Life and Work of Mahapurush Maharaj Swami Shivananda, a Great Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1986, 20.
   
2. Swami Nikhilananda, trans., The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. New York: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center, 1978; c1942, 112.
   
3. Ibid., 359.
   
4. Ibid., 80.
   
5. Ibid., 292.
   
6. Ibid., 217.
   

Thanks to Wes at: http://cultureofawareness.com

The Teachers Speak: Terence McKenna on Psychedelics, Art and Empowerment – Part 2/2

January 15, 2016 / Wes Annac


By Wes Annac, Culture of Awareness
Continued from Part 1. Quotes taken from End All Disease.
McKenna also encourages us to turn our backs on our defunct culture and create something new with the imagination.

“You simply have to turn your back on a culture that has gone sterile and dead and get with the program of a living world and the imagination.”

The imagination, he believes, “is the goal of history. I see culture as an effort to literally realize our collective dreams.”
Nature will reward us for having courage, he tells us.

“Nature loves courage. You make the commitment and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles. Dream the impossible dream and the world will not grind you under, it will lift you up.
“This is the trick. This is what all these teachers and philosophers who really counted, who really touched the alchemical gold, this is what they understood. This is the shamanic dance in the waterfall. This is how magic is done. By hurling yourself into the abyss and discovering its a feather bed.”

Anything is possible for the person who tries their hardest, and the obstacles that seem impossible are the ones that help us grow the most.
Courage comes from love, so if we want the courage to keep on, we only need to look in the heart. We only need to open the mind (but not too much, as McKenna also famously said), and let the courage and wisdom of the heart pour through.
Then, we’ll realize that the obstacles in our way are easily solvable if we approach them from the heart and we have the courage to keep working on them when they challenge us the most.
As long as we wholeheartedly commit, we’ll be granted the power we require and little helpful serendipities will occur to make the mission easier. We’ll do fine as long as we have love, and again, in love we find courage and various other qualities, like compassion, that are crucial on the spiritual path.
According to McKenna and pretty much anyone else who’s in the know, our governments don’t keep psychedelics illegal to protect us, but to keep us from deconstructing their illusion.

“Psychedelics are illegal not because a loving government is concerned that you may jump out of a third story window. Psychedelics are illegal because they dissolve opinion structures and culturally laid down models of behaviour and information processing. They open you up to the possibility that everything you know is wrong.”

Along with psychedelics, he tells us that artists – painters, musicians, writers, and plenty of others – can save mankind’s soul.

“The artist’s task is to save the soul of mankind; and anything less is a dithering while Rome burns.  If artists cannot find the way, then the way cannot be found.”

The artist has a responsibility to share their light and awaken people, and if you’re a creative person, you’ve been gifted with a great opportunity to contribute something real and valuable to the world. You might want to take it, because art is arguably the best way for the lightworker or spiritual warrior to contribute to humanity’s evolution.

Credit: shorebread.com
In one of my favorite quotes, McKenna tells us that words make up the world.

“The syntactical nature of reality, the real secret of magic, is that the world is made of words. And if you know the words that the world is made of, you can make of it whatever you wish.”

This is an exciting quote for a writer, because it acknowledges the power of words. Along with music, words give us the power to express our souls, thereby bringing the content of our inner reality to the physical world.
They allow us to merge the physical and spiritual by giving us an outlet with which to express our creative side, and their power is evident in the way they can either crush or uplift people.
Though I have to admit, I do enjoy this quote from poet Scroobius Pip, taken from Songlyrics.com:

“In the end they are just words. You give them power when you cower, man, it’s so absurd.”

In our final two quotes, McKenna encourages self-empowerment.

“We tend to disempower ourselves. We tend to believe that we don’t matter. And in the act of taking that idea to ourselves we give everything away to somebody else, to something else.”
“If you don’t have a plan, you become part of somebody else’s plan.”

It’s crucial to know what we want to do with our life, and if we don’t follow our dreams, we’ll be forced to help someone else bring theirs into reality.
I think everyone should be able to make a living at something they’re passionate about if they’re willing to work hard, but we can’t expect to get too far if we don’t have that inner fire. It consists of love and intense passion for our work, and it allows for amazing accomplishments in the struggle to heal the world.
It inspires us to work hard enough to make a real, positive mark on the world and encourage people to live with purpose, and if we aren’t willing to look deep in ourselves for this crucial inner flame, we’ll be stuck working for someone else.

Credit: visionair.nl
There are plenty more profound and insightful quotes from Terence McKenna to be found here on the internet, and personally, I enjoy his teachings because they’ve forced me to reevaluate what I thought I knew.
You don’t have to agree with psychedelic use to see that Terence McKenna had a lot of great things to say about humanity’s evolution, and the day will eventually come when psychedelics are taken seriously and their power is understood.
Society’s starting to change its views on marijuana, so that day could come sooner than we think.


Thanks to Wes at: http://cultureofawareness.com