“But the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you…”
-1 John 2:27 (KJV)
Gurus, teachers, and guides abound in today’s world. In fact, they have always been with us. Most have the purpose–either recognized or not–to raise themselves up through the passing on of knowledge, or through their charismatic personality–usually a combination of both.
It is quite rare for a “teacher” to be willing to forgo the ego gratification of their position, to actually perform the service for which they were supposedly tasked with–to actually HELP the “student”!
To be more specific, I should say to help the student re-discover his or her TRUE SELF!
That true self is what God created them to be, and hence the phrase Jesus said, that we must be “born again” and come back to that childlike innocence we were born with.There is really nothing else that we need. And any “knowledge” that is passed on by a “teacher” should be for the purpose of re-awakening us to what we already know!
I’m not talking about technical / vocational knowledge here, just the knowledge of self–the knowledge we were born with. The knowledge we have lost through trauma and various forms of corruption.
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
-John 16:7 (KJV)
Jesus was the greatest teacher there has ever been, but he knew his disciples were too dependent on him, as almost all of us are too dependent on sources outside ourselves. He had to go away so that they (and we) would seek internal guidance.
This is the model that all sincere “teachers” should follow. Otherwise, “students” will just get lost in their teachings and personalities. It’s not teachings that save us, it is some recognition of our true selves that the teacher may spark, but the “comforter” (Holy Spirit) reveals to us. And the journey must happen within–no teacher can take that journey for us.
Patrick Rooney is the Founder of OldSchoolUs.com. He promotes natural health, success, and freedom during chaotic times. To reach Patrick, email him at info@oldschoolus.com.
It’s amazing to me, that even after explicitly warning that I’m not about to open my blog up to what amounts to graffiti, people still want to treat it that way. If you think I’m going to allow a post on a particular philosophical or spiritual point to descend into a free-for-all against people or institutions you have a problem with, think again.
As I’ve stated on several occasions, you’re free to use your own platforms to go after me or whomever you wish. But you’re not free to use MY platform for your incessant rantings.
In this case, and in other cases of my choosing, your comment will not be posted. In some cases, people have been banned from this site, and will continue to be banned, because they have demonstrated no desire to change their behavior.
Sadly, the problem typically occurs from people who are not in charge of anything of consequence, and therefore have no particular responsibilities. They are the stone throwers from outside the gate.
I respect people who are leading organizations and doing their best to help make the world they live in a better place. Civil society is on the ropes, and some of us are fighting for the safety and welfare of actual human beings who are in peril.
Are these leaders perfect? Of course not. Show me someone who is. Let ye without sin cast the first stone!
It reminds me of one of my favorite speeches–“The Man In the Arena” by Teddy Roosevelt. It is short and powerful. Read and ponder these words and see if they convict you. If you are “the critic” and don’t see yourself in these words, then I don’t know if ANY words could convince you of the truth. God may need to hit you with a lightning bolt!
Anyway, here they are…
“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Amen! Carry on, men in the arena!
When ROy passed on to his just reward, it left us to depend more on the Holy Spirit than ever before, although Roy never encouraged any kind of dependence on him. I am very grateful though that we have David and Alan to continue his tradition. The function of a church is to provide support during those times when it is difficult to disassociate ourselves from the grips of evil. No man is an island. We do need each other. “Love one another as I have loved you.” without making someone an overlord. Our relationship to GOd is primarily our responsibility.
Yes. Rose, agreed and we’ll said. Church leadership is very important, and Alan has quite a task. David brings a unique contribution too.
Roy Masters often said his followers were too dependent on him.
Yes, I’ve been that kind of person and have seen many other examples of it.
“Jesus was the greatest teacher there has ever been, but he knew his disciples were too dependent on him, as almost all of us are too dependent on sources outside ourselves. He had to go away so that they (and we) would seek internal guidance.”
Wow! I never looked at it that way – that He had to leave so we could “find” ourselves.
Thanks. I needed that.
You’re welcome, Nancy!