Starting a spiritual path can be very exciting. There will come a time when you have read as many books as you can, and you’ll realize that you need more personalized instruction. There are terrific spiritual teachers out there but finding the right one for you will be easier if you keep in mind these 5 things to look for in a spiritual teacher.
Find a spiritual teacher relatively close to you
There can be a certain allure to studying with a teacher at a distance. This may work for some, but for most maintaining a ‘relationship at a distance’ takes too much effort. Therefore, find a spiritual teacher that you can see (in person) regularly. The teachings may be the same as the distant teacher, but personal instruction creates feelings of community, and there are benefits to being with your teacher, asking spontaneous questions and watching them model their spirituality. Having said that, the result of the pandemic has changed (and may have permanently changed) our abilities to gather in-person. The advice here is get out into your spiritual community with both teachers and fellow travelers as often as you can (safely).
Find a spiritual teacher you can connect with
There is always the teacher that comes HIGHLY recommended from friends. However, before starting anything with this teacher, have an informal meeting with him or her. The question to ask yourself is this… “Do I feel this teacher can help ME?” “Does what they’re teaching make sense to me?” “Do I like them personally?” A NO to any of these questions means you should keep looking. Isn’t an aspect of being on the spiritual path trusting your own intuition? Why not start the journey here. Study with someone you connect with and feel comfortable with from the start.
Note: Money can buy you a bigger house or a nicer car but money cannot buy spiritual experiences or spiritual growth. Be aware of teachers that offer quick answers, or fast growth with a premium price tag attached. I think none of us like pain, and when we are in emotional pain we would pay almost anything to make it go away. Consider this… there may be lessons and growth in the pain. Please don’t add to your pain by letting someone exploit you financially or otherwise.
Find a spiritual teacher who challenges you (gently)
New spiritual seekers often confuse spiritual training with Marine Corps Boot Camp. I am not a fan of yelling and screaming as a teaching tool, but I cannot tell you how many teachers adopt this practice either literally or figuratively. Find someone who will take the time to get to know you, and who will challenge you to reach your spiritual goals and will do it gently yet effectively. Ultimately, I believe Spiritual lessons teach us to walk more in-harmony with our world, and with ourselves. Yelling and screaming begets yelling and screaming. Gentleness is the keyword here.
Find a spiritual teacher who is patient with your learning style
Your spiritual teacher should get to know you and get to know you’re learning style. Some people just absorb information; others have to ask a thousand questions in order to learn. Still others have to practice the lesson to see how it works for them. Your style will most likely be a mix of those styles unique only to you. Find a teacher who can work with (and is patient with) your particular learning style. This is your spiritual journey, find a guide that speaks your language.
Find a spiritual teacher you can live without
Everything in life involves changes (endings) and new beginnings. Over time students can become dependent on the spiritual teacher for continuing guidance. Your goal should be to spend the time needed with a spiritual teacher to have them help you reach the next level. Your initial conversation with a prospective spiritual teacher is to identify when it is time to find the next teacher. Imagine a sixth grader wanting to stay for years with the same sixth grade teacher. Eventually the sixth-grade teacher is no longer adding to the education of the aging sixth grader. There are no grades, per se, on your spiritual path, but the analogy is sound. The ultimate truth is that all good things must come to an end.
Hopefully these guidelines will help you as you search for a spiritual teacher. The spiritual path should bring light and love into your life. Finally, the best advice I can give is enjoy your spiritual awakening, share with it friends and loved ones, and keep striving to reach your own spiritual goals.
Resources
The Basics of Psychic Development
Build and Improve Personal Relationships
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Psychic Life Skills
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Honoring Loved Ones
Honoring loved ones is not something that we do only when they pass away. It is something that we can do every day, by showing them our gratitude, appreciation, and affection. We can honor [...]
Transformational Love
Love has the power to stir our deepest emotions, lift us to transcendent heights, and leave us feeling vulnerable and exposed. It is one of the most profound experiences we can have as human [...]
Is Wealth More Than Money?
Wealth is often considered to be synonymous with money, but I believe it stretches far beyond financial abundance. It's the warm embrace of loved ones, the sound of laughter echoing throughout a room, the [...]
Growing Love
Growing your love can sometimes feel like a daunting task, especially when you're going through a rough patch. However, it's important to remember that it's okay to have ups and downs. Compassion is key [...]
History of Halloween
History of Halloween- Most of us view Halloween as little more than a yearly event geared primarily for children. It is a day when children dress up in costumes, go “trick-or-treating,” and carve Jack-o-lanterns. Adults take part in the fun with costume parties. While it retains some of the spooky qualities traditionally associated with the day. The real scare of Halloween fades through commercialization. And its history and origins become lost and irrelevant. Leaving Halloween cut off from any of its original meaning.
5 Things to Look for in a Spiritual Teacher
Starting a spiritual path can be very exciting. There will come a time when you have read as many books as you can, and you’ll realize that you need more personalized instruction. There are terrific spiritual teachers out there, but finding the right one for you will be easier if you keep in mind these 5 things to look for in a spiritual teacher.
Your Journey Is Your Story To Tell
Your life journey is about finding a balance. If you work too much, you miss the sweeter subtleties of life. Work too little life can become a struggle. If you are too trusting, you might get taken advantage of. Be too cynical and you can miss the joy of powerful relationships. This is true for those of us on a spiritual journey as well.
Psychic Kids- The Real Hogwarts in Denver?
Students at the Logan School have the opportunity to explore areas of interest to the student. The instructor had a few students that were interested in Spiritualism and psychic phenomena. We made an appointment for the kids to take a field trip to my office to meet me and ask their questions.
How to Start & Grow Your Metaphysical Business
Being self-employed can be hugely rewarding both personally and financially. But getting started can be stinker, and your metaphysical business or practice won’t be any different. How to Start & Grow Your Metaphysical Business begins by getting your head straight.
Magnetic Healing vs. Spiritual Healing: What’s the Difference?
Spiritual and magnetic healing have a long history of being used throughout the world. Though both forms of healing focus heavily on energy, the source of recovery is unique.
The ‘Basics’- Complete 3 Lecture Series- Buy 3 Get 1 Free
Get all three lectures in the series called The Basics-
–Basic Energy Management –Ethics and the Student Reader –Taming the Monkey Mind
The Basics lecture series is more than 4 1/2 hours of instruction on the basics of managing your energetic state.
The Basics series is a great place to start in your spiritual journey!
Each lecture is $14.99 but buy the entire series of 3 lectures and get 1 FREE
Excellent article, and a really thoughtful approach. I particularly liked the section on finding a spiritual teacher “you can live without.” Most of us have changed doctors, dentists, therapists or even friends (!!) when they no longer met our needs (and then felt guilty about it), so it was really refreshing to see that addressed so honestly. Also, shopping for the “right” teacher ? Perfect.
Clearly, Charles loves what he does, loves to teach and loves to share. Great information!
This is awesome!!!!!
When you get a chance to be a part of someones life as calm and giving as you it really is a gift from above!!!!
Gently yet effectively is absolutely what I like. Not a fan of the boot camp method myself. I literally shut down.
I get a great sense of who you are by your article. They say the eyes are the windows to our soul.
Thanks Charles
#patience #love #spirituality
Research is so important when it comes to a spiritual teacher. Especially if you are just starting out. The deeper the connection with the teacher means the deeper the connection with learning. For me, it is important to have access to a teacher who I can contact and get a response back. I’m not saying that I am dependant on the teacher, rather than being able to stay with the class subject. Look at the personality of the teacher as well. Is this a strict teacher who will be completely serious about the delivery of the subject or someone who says the universe determines how it is. Structure and presentation are key with selecting a teacher. Learning can be fun and flexible as the teacher is. Learning can be confusing as the teacher is. Research, research, research!
In our classes in the Denver Psychic Development Group, we laugh a lot and learn a lot. Who says your spiritual path can’t be fun? #DenverPsychic
I really like this. Yes, a good spiritual teacher who is patient with you is invaluable on the path toward a more awakened state. Thank you, Denver Psychic.
The points are so true, finding a great spiritual teacher at an early age brought my heart to the centre of living a life of gratitude and seeking peace. He was so patient and same time challenging. His lessons helped deepens and strengthens trust and hope in myself and in the Lord within 30 days of the encounter.
An amazing piece of article. Very well-articulated and much easier to digest than some long-written metaphysical and psychic notes I have been reading over the internet. Thanks, Charles
All the points matter if we are sincere in our spiritual quest. Although, I will assert that the second point is very indispensable for anyone looking for a true spiritual teacher from afar and for any reason you can’t find one that lives close by. I once lived in LA and later moved to New York but because of the connection I had with my spiritual teacher, I am still able to receive guidance via online mediums to grow my faith. I know I am not receiving the much attention I’d want like when physically present with him. This is the reason I’m still in search of anyone with all the above qualities to connect with over here in New York.
Thanks for this, it speaks to my soul in a simple and deep way and is helping me develop my sense of discrimination and judgment to finding a good spiritual teacher. I am considering visiting Denver by next month to see you physically. Have a lot to share with you on my spiritual quest and journey. How available are you?
Thanks
Norman Hodge
I think this is an excellent road map to finding a spiritual teacher. I would only add one thing to this article. I look for teachers that remind me that ultimately, I am my own best spiritual teacher. While walking the path of learning from others this is a concept that might help put everything else in perspective.
Thanks, Kat. Maybe the next article will be “6 Things to Look for in a Spiritual Teacher”. 🙂 #DenverPsychic
This is great advice as we all reach different levels of spiritual awareness and growth.Thanks for the thoughtful review of what we should be aware of from those helping us of along the way, as finding our spiritual path is such a personal endeavor.
Choosing a spiritual teacher is a very personal endeavor, and one that may need more thought than we first anticipated. #DenverPsychic
Very well thought out. Gives a great format to use when selecting a teacher.
I agree with all the above suggestions and I also feel Charles honestly lives them as a psychic development teacher. He doesn’t ask of you what he wouldn’t want to do himself and is very real with his students. I’ve enjoyed working on my own abilities under his mentorship.
Charles honestly lives these ideals as a psychic development teacher. He doesn’t ask of you what he wouldn’t expect of himself. He is real with his students and I’ve enjoyed expanding on my own abilities under his mentorship.
Thank you for your kind words. #DenverPsychic
I appreciate the framework for seeking a spiritual leader, this article make great sense. I also see a life lesson for relationships and the basics of understanding yourself as you seek guidance, friendship or more.
This article makes so much sense! So often we just accept whoever is willing to teach rather than making a mindful choice about who we want to assist in this important aspect of our lives. Thank you Charles, for guidance in a way I hadn’t even realized I needed!
I’ve heard it said that no one really teaches, but instead facilitates learning. I suspect my journey is reflective of many people’s journey: seeking and reading and pondering. At some point it becomes an imperative to find a guide, a mentor, in short, a teacher.
Who you find as a teacher and how you find them is critical. It would serve you well to follow the five steps in this article.
Spiritual journeys are inherently personal and trying to learn at distance would make it more challenging than necessary.
Without a sense of connection, hearing what is being taught becomes more difficult.
“Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.”…you’d like to think your spiritual teacher would echo this sentiment.
It might be worth noting that in order to find a teacher who is patient with your learning style you need to understand your learning style. A bit of introspection and reflection here could go a long way.
Lastly, I would like to think that a truly loving and concerned spiritual teacher will look forward to the day that their student moves beyond what they have to offer.
All five tips are sage advice.
Very helpful article for other professions as well. It reminds me of the principles I and my colleagues followed in helping performance level, management, and executive clients find mentors. We encouraged them to find someone they could meet with in person, makes sure they liked one another, find a mentor who was more interested in them and would ask questions rather then talk about themselves, and keep commitments. Nicely written article and easy principles to understand and learn.
Wonderful article. I would have loved to have read this 25+ years ago. It may have saved me time and frustration in some areas. I love that this article was to the point and the steps were not only easy to remember, but got important information across to help anyone on their journey.
“Find a spiritual teacher who is patient with your learning style” is extremely important to me since I have severe ADD. It’s more of a problem than one would think!
Thank you for sharing. I think this is important to remember in all facets of our lives. Often times our energy matches the company we keep and is important to keep that in mind ,especially when selecting a mentor.
I would also say, find one that likes to laugh a lot! Spiritual growth doesn’t need to be stearn or painful, it can be rather fun!
Great article about finding a spiritual teacher. Anyone who is serious about developing their psychic abilities needs to have a mentor to help them along their journey, because there will always be a situation that comes up when you need someone wiser to turn to for advice or more training. One definitely needs to find a teacher or mentor that they connect with who can help them with their specific needs. Example: an Empath needing to understand how to handle other people’s energy/feelings wouldn’t learn much from someone who just teaches clairvoyant or clairaudient abilities. People have to do some research and find someone to fit their spiritual needs. I love this article because I don’t think a lot of people really understand this when they start delving deeper into their spiritual journey. Great information Charles!
Thanks for the information that find a spiritual teacher who can make your feel comfortable and connect with from the start. I believe this is very important since you will often have a conversation, so a good harmony could give a strong relationship. I’ll make sure to keep all these in mind when finding a spiritual mentor that could help me to give life advice.