The Importance of a Spiritual Teacher

Navigating through ideas of a spiritual nature can be confusing at times. Illuminating the pathway responsibly can require guidance. Yoga practitioner, Ivan Lasater discusses the importance of a spiritual teacher.

A responsible spiritual teacher can be the light upon the path to spiritual fulfillment. It is a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly and anyone seeking a spiritual guide should assume great care in devoting themselves to any particular course of study.

• A spiritual teacher should possess the attributes nature is often afraid to explore answers that require effort and practice.
• The ability to articulate oneself and develop a systematic way of teaching is a good quality to have in a teacher. A person needs to feel like the subject matter makes sense and is delivered in a way that optimizes the learning process.
• a person is looking to develop. A teacher who is not familiar with the subject of study shouldn’t be teaching it.
• Another characteristic to look for is a teacher who is not afraid to address difficult subject matter. Someone who prefers to only touch on subjects of a relatively simple Effects of a Competent Spiritual Teacher

Just as we inherit traits from the people who brought us into this world, we also inherit the traits of those who guide us through it. This could be your parents, grandparents, friends, and even work associates. The most profound influences we have in our lives, outside of the family unit, would be our teachers. The effects that our teachers have on us determines that knowledge we have to find our way in the world.

• A good teacher will make the effort to instill a measurable amount of knowledge within a reasonable amount of time. Feeling as if results are being produced is a huge incentive to continue learning. A students desire to learn is greatly affected by the teachers ability to produce results.
• Finding a teacher who will reinforce growth with recognition affects the student’s confidence in their ability to take on new ideas. How open would you be to learning something new when you weren’t certain you’d gained an understanding of the knowledge you’d been given to that point? A good teacher will give you feedback about your progress and won’t be afraid to tell you where you need to improve.
• Finding a Teacher who can teach from experience and not just knowledge is a good way of learning the practical aspects and problem solving techniques that will be most applicable. A teacher who teaches from experience has encountered the obstacles that stand in the way of learning and can help you anticipate where work will be most essential in that area.

Just as a teacher has an important responsibility to teach a student correctly and nurture their ability to learn, a student also has a responsibility to the teacher. The people in this life who assist us in gaining knowledge also supply us with the confidence and morale development that will ultimately result in the quality of life we feel in the moment. It is a great responsibility to be a teacher but it is a greater responsibility to honor those who helped you prepare for life.

• A good student will listen carefully and follow instructions because that student knows his teacher is imparting precious knowledge. The opportunity to learn should not be taken for granted.
• Being humble in your teacher’s presence is a sign that you respect and revere your teacher. This is a way of honoring them.
• Asking questions allows your teacher the opportunity to see where your knowledge can be improved. Questions also communicate your desire to learn the subject matter and shows your teacher that you are interested in the material.
• Give credit to your teacher. When you learn something new and find that you can effectively put it into practice, don’t forget to give praise and credit to the teacher who led you to this knowledge.

Having a spiritual teacher is important. These are the people we choose to help guide us along a spiritual path and they have a dramatic effect on how we develop as people. Choosing the right spiritual guide is important as well. Looking for the qualities you hope to develop within yourself is a good way of finding a competent teacher. Do they possess what you want for yourself? Will they have a clear and effective teaching method? Are they teaching from practical experience? Students have a clear responsibility to focus on learning and practicing what they are taught. Honoring your spiritual teacher by learning to the best of your ability, asking the right questions, and deferring to your teacher with a humble attitude shows them that you respect and appreciate their guidance.