Why has it been said that every spiritual aspirant needs a True Teacher?

On the spiritual path we are going through levels.

And one level is completely different, basically opposite to the level below.

We have no idea where we are heading, and what we need to do.

So we really need the help of someone who is already on the next level, or above, who can guide us through the darkness we feel before entering the next level.

So that is why we need a guide or teacher.

But it is not like we can never reach the level, the attainment of the teacher, it is the opposite.

The greatest happiness of a spiritual teacher when his students reach or even surpass his level.

I hope it helps, all the best.

I am reminded of the joke that ends with someone in heaven complaining to God that they trusted him and yet they drowned in the flood while they were waiting for him. God said "I sent you two boats and a helicopter what more do you want?" But some people also feel that they have the capacity to swim out of the flood of life and don't need any help.

I am not a particularly good swimmer so I have looked for help where it was offered and tried to provide it where it when it was asked for. But a "True Teacher." may not be there to show you how to tie your shoes or balance your checkbook.

There are difficulties that we face in our outer existence, but inner difficulties as well. When life seems to be giving us lemons it may be the True Teacher that shows us lemonade. Sometimes, I am my own worst enemy. I might want to shout for joy when humility would be more advised or taste despair when a steady course will clear a minefield. The True Teacher can be a wordless reminder of the right course.

The True Teacher will also enable experiences and insights that might not be considered in the wildest dreams. The True Teacher might do this because they know you better than it seems you know yourself.

In the best of times, a brother, sister, wife, husband, or others can seem to be the teacher and guide. Perhaps this is all a helpful bit of preparation. But the True Teacher does not have their own needs, wants, or desires that would interfere with the best guidance.

There are several reasons why we must be "ready" for the True Teacher. If we don't care for the violin we don't need an instructor. Similarly we may be so distracted by the colors of life that we are not ready to focus.

To have a True Teacher is a very special relationship. As with most situations where we are lead, carried, or guided it requires a degree of trust on our part. Not everyone is "ready" to do this. Those with confidence in their goal and their ability to attain it may not care for a teacher. Perhaps when they look for the top of the hill it seems very close. Others may feel the humility to say that the journey is far more difficult than trying to play an instrument. For that, most would find a teacher helpful.

Everyone can use the guidance of an older brother or sister from time to time, in this World's affairs & with those things of a Spiritual nature. We are exploring uncharted territory for us, a guide can be most helpful at those congested intersections, help us avoid the pot holes in the road, & help us know what is useful for the journey & what will just be added weight. Of course we all have the greatest Teacher within, but when you are not aware of this presence or developed intimate communion this Teacher is difficult to hear. The ultimate goal of any Teacher is to become unneeded, but until that time guidance is always useful, especially if coming from one who has already walked the road you are attempting to walk. It seems sometimes we all are in a hurry to say we need no Teacher in the World, but I disagree. I think we need a lot more teachers & willing students, LOL!

Also with a Teacher there is a marvelous opportunity to practice surrender & willingness.

If I wanted to learn something highly specialized like medicine, I would not expect to be able to teach myself, I would not even know where to begin.

As we progress in our walk our needs change. Our Teachers can help with understanding as we enter new territory.

I would wish I could share with you just how much I Love my Teacher. When I saw her, which was every day, it was refuge! The one place that no matter what was going on, or how I judged myself, I took great comfort at feeling completely known. She knew me completely because she was me, but I did not know this till much later. The relationship that develops with a student/Teacher is second only to mother & child I think. LOL! Probably very much the same! I am grateful she found me!

Many Blessings!

Well having a teacher is not 100 percent needed. It's the same way with being in school. You learn from your teachers to realize your goals and/or the goals that have been lay-ed out in front of you. The same way someone can learn without being in school and be smart. It is only a person who makes the at large picture easier. Which also helps you be put back in line, or help you focus on what might be important that you might not see at this specific time and place.

I think that every person needs a true teacher - and not just for spiritual things. I've been lucky enough to have several teachers who taught various things not only because it was a job, but because they loved what they were doing.

I believe that only a person who truly loves the subject - whatever it may be - that he is teaching ever REALLY delves into it. That sort of teacher is able to offer more insight that the simple facts on the surface offer; that kind of teacher is best for ANY topic, in my opinion, and that includes topics of a spiritual nature.

You give before you get

and before you know it

you get THAT.

when all that matters is not the congestion but the movement which is still moving

You moved so many people before brother, nice to see you are back from THAT silence.

A small insignificant sufi student for you maybe, but a very wise traffic cop indeed for me,may you be blessed with abundance

I love you, take care

It would probably accelerate learning to have a teacher in

this life that could teach us many lessons. This is especially

helpful if they hold high spiritual ideals. We assume that their

experience and wisdom exceeds ours, but how can we really know?

Whereas, we each have a Divine Spark within us that must be consulted through out life so that we know when to move on, or

seek a new teacher.

Well, in my experience sometimes it is very difficult to learn anything without someone there to teach and disciple you. You can try all you want and have the most intense, enduring desire to learn and do this or that, but you won't get far without someone (at least one person) to help you, especially if you've got alot of opposition or obstacles to overcome.

I have never heard that...in the teaching I am involved in the opposite it is said "when the student is ready the teacher appears". so we don't believe any one person is our teacher but anyone or anything can be our teacher. It is all in divine right order & sometimes the ones we least expect are our teachers.

Good question. The Japanese say that "when the student is ready the teacher will appear."

I personally don't like people who think they will teach you something and simply deliver a loaded agenda. If one is ready to learn they can learn without a teacher.