How Should A Spiritual Teacher Appear To You?
Question received today:
I thought spiritual teachers are supposed to be detached from everything. I see some modern teachers these days having iPhones, iPads and high-tech watches, live in big houses, drive big cars etc. I've always thought of Gurus wearing a uniform, but modern Gurus seem to be walking around in jeans and even formal clothes. That seems a little odd because they don't appear like a spiritual teacher you know.
My reply:
Then how should a spiritual teacher appear to you? In a saffron robe 24/7? A teacher whom you can find only deep in the forest? A teacher who sits on the rock the entire day? I know of tortoises that fulfill all those criteria. Do you then take the animal as your spiritual Guru?
First and foremost, what is "detachment"? Just because one lives in a comfortable house or use advanced electronic gadgets such as an iPhone or iPad does not mean he/she is attached to it. Just because one struts around naked in the jungle and meditates on a rock does not mean that he/she is detached either.
And what has your spirituality got to do with the Guru's clothing or his/her possessions? Why do you need to even have a spiritual Guru if all you are doing is judging the other person's appearance? To respect someone as a spiritual teacher is not like shopping from a catalogue. You don't choose how your Guru is supposed to be. Spiritual teachers are not here to conform to their disciples' whims and fancies. Do you seek a spiritual Guru to acquire the spiritual wisdom that he/she has to offer or do you seek a spiritual Guru for his/her appearances?
Everything changes according to time. Millions of years ago, people use to strut around naked. Is Man still doing the same? So you see, we adapt according to time. What makes spiritual Gurus so special that they have to still stick to practices that belonged to the stone age?
Love and light,
Genevieve
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