The Spiritual Guide Part 4
Have you heard the first parts about the "spiritual guides" here on my podcast?
Those in search of a spiritual teacher are particularly susceptible to cults. At first glance, cults make sense, of course, as they use values such as community, harmony, cohesion, and a sense of belonging to attract souls who feel alone and abandoned. Cults also approach people, speak directly to potential candidates on the street, and woo particularly lonely people.
In a second step, there is suddenly talk of money, the spiritual must be worth something, even a spiritual teacher must pay his rent, electricity is not for free and the car does not run on water either, period, you have to understand that! And the more expensive the seminar is, the more valuable is surely the content?
Does your adored guru perhaps even drive a Rolls-Royce? Are monthly fees demanded, or do you have the impression that profit is to be made from spiritual guidance?
Anyone who may tell you that spiritual breakthrough will come without effort and discipline is lying to you. A good Buddhist guide points with an outstretched index finger to the direction in which you should set out, but this guide is only a signpost, he is not himself the solution.
Whoever is looking for spiritual presence is welcome to be inspired, but he or she has to walk the path himself, no guru, no guide, no teacher, simply no one is able to take this part from us. We are not carried up the mountain, we have to make our own effort, the teacher can only be a kind of mountain guide for us, who just (leads) our way up the mountain, but just does not walk it.
A good spiritual guide will prepare you for the journey, will enable you to start and walk the journey.
The connection between teacher and student is something unique. I for one have been devoted to my master Shi Yan Zi for almost 40 years, we see each other frequently, talk on the phone regularly, I will be going to visit him again soon. When we see each other, sometimes I call him by his name, but sometimes I just call him Master.
For the people who wish to have a master, I like to be the virtual teacher and friend, a patient companion, a rock, daily you can read and listen to my words, just accept the offer, it costs you nothing (except time).
Again: the way is the goal!

To be rich in truth, diligence, virtuous control, and at the same time to speak good words, that brings the highest salvation.
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama

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