One Teacher or Many?

[SalixIncendium]

Which is better? Is it better to have one guru, sage, master, pastor, mullah, rabbi, etc. (whatever you call the spiritual teacher on your path) when it comes to spiritual realizations or understanding? Or is is it better to learn from many?

In my chosen profession, I have had many supervisors, some good, some not so much. From them I have learned what practices would move me forward in my career, and what might hold me back or move me in the wrong direction. I picked what I perceived as the best and incorporated it into my own unique style, which has led me to success in my career.

I have done the same over the years on my spiritual journey. I have taken from many teachers on many paths, taken what I perceived to be the best ideas and practices, and through these have arrived at the understandings and realizations I have today.

What are your thoughts? Is it better to stick with one teacher for your spiritual wealth, or is it better to experience and learn from many?

 

[Rival]

I like many because it broadens horizons.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I would say it's wise in pretty much everything to take in many sources. Learning from just one source is extremely limiting as not one person will know it all, and another person can add a simple difference in though based on their different perspective that can make a tremendous difference for us.

 

[Shantanu]

Which is better? Is it better to have one guru, sage, master, pastor, mullah, rabbi, etc. (whatever you call the spiritual teacher on your path) when it comes to spiritual realizations or understanding? Or is is it better to learn from many?

In my chosen profession, I have had many supervisors, some good, some not so much. From them I have learned what practices would move me forward in my career, and what might hold me back or move me in the wrong direction. I picked what I perceived as the best and incorporated it into my own unique style, which has led me to success in my career.

I have done the same over the years on my spiritual journey. I have taken from many teachers on many paths, taken what I perceived to be the best ideas and practices, and through these have arrived at the understandings and realizations I have today.

What are your thoughts? Is it better to stick with one teacher for your spiritual wealth, or is it better to experience and learn from many?

At a given moment in time one needs only to focus on the next step needed for the clarification of Reality, whether at the workplace, in society, in life generally with their material objectives or in one's spiritual journey towards Realisation. One learns from every aspect of Reality. I selected a guru and engaged in Forum discussions in that manner but regularly used God (even to this day) to cross check my ideas as the ultimate clarifier of my path in life that teaches me what I need to know.

 

[Vinayaka]

I would say many, about the mundane, like having different medical specialists. But once you get down to the nitty-gritty, which in this case we'll say is your individual soul evolving, then I'd say one is better, and a long term relationship so both sides actually really know each other. Same as in the doctor analogy, if it's a kidney problem, you want a kidney specialist.

 

[Jollybear]

Which is better? Is it better to have one guru, sage, master, pastor, mullah, rabbi, etc. (whatever you call the spiritual teacher on your path) when it comes to spiritual realizations or understanding? Or is is it better to learn from many?

In my chosen profession, I have had many supervisors, some good, some not so much. From them I have learned what practices would move me forward in my career, and what might hold me back or move me in the wrong direction. I picked what I perceived as the best and incorporated it into my own unique style, which has led me to success in my career.

I have done the same over the years on my spiritual journey. I have taken from many teachers on many paths, taken what I perceived to be the best ideas and practices, and through these have arrived at the understandings and realizations I have today.

What are your thoughts? Is it better to stick with one teacher for your spiritual wealth, or is it better to experience and learn from many?

I remember this one guy, he was teaching me how to shift a manual transmission. He was better at teaching it then 3 former guys. In fact, he was an incredable teacher. But when it came to having any friendship kind of relationship with this guy, there was no way in hell. The other 3 guys beat him by a long shot.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Which is better? Is it better to have one guru, sage, master, pastor, mullah, rabbi, etc. (whatever you call the spiritual teacher on your path) when it comes to spiritual realizations or understanding? Or is is it better to learn from many?

In my chosen profession, I have had many supervisors, some good, some not so much. From them I have learned what practices would move me forward in my career, and what might hold me back or move me in the wrong direction. I picked what I perceived as the best and incorporated it into my own unique style, which has led me to success in my career.

I have done the same over the years on my spiritual journey. I have taken from many teachers on many paths, taken what I perceived to be the best ideas and practices, and through these have arrived at the understandings and realizations I have today.

What are your thoughts? Is it better to stick with one teacher for your spiritual wealth, or is it better to experience and learn from many?

I would say only one master (buddha)

 

[SalixIncendium]

I would say many, about the mundane, like having different medical specialists. But once you get down to the nitty-gritty, which in this case we'll say is your individual soul evolving, then I'd say one is better, and a long term relationship so both sides actually really know each other. Same as in the doctor analogy, if it's a kidney problem, you want a kidney specialist.

But how can you be certain that the one spiritual teacher is right?

 

[SalixIncendium]

I would say only one master (buddha)

How can you be certain that what others say regarding Buddha’s teachings is accurate given he wrote nothing down and you do not have the means to speak with him personally?

 

[Spirit of Light]

How can you be certain that what others say regarding Buddha’s teachings is accurate given he wrote nothing down and you do not have the means to speak with him personally?

I can only follow the Suttas teachings. And as a buddhist i have no doubt in buddha teaching.
The monks of today has their understanding of the teaching and ut hjelp a lot. But i can only realise the buddha truth, from my own effort and cultivation.
Study the sutra, meditasjon and zero doubt is key to wisdom

 

[PureX]

Which is better? Is it better to have one guru, sage, master, pastor, mullah, rabbi, etc. (whatever you call the spiritual teacher on your path) when it comes to spiritual realizations or understanding? Or is is it better to learn from many?

In my chosen profession, I have had many supervisors, some good, some not so much. From them I have learned what practices would move me forward in my career, and what might hold me back or move me in the wrong direction. I picked what I perceived as the best and incorporated it into my own unique style, which has led me to success in my career.

I have done the same over the years on my spiritual journey. I have taken from many teachers on many paths, taken what I perceived to be the best ideas and practices, and through these have arrived at the understandings and realizations I have today.

What are your thoughts? Is it better to stick with one teacher for your spiritual wealth, or is it better to experience and learn from many?

I would say that wisdom is within, and a 'teacher' is just someone who is able to help us find it, there. And that could be anyone, at any time.

Also, I think choosing only one 'teacher' or setting one above all others is a pretty sure way of making oneself a 'protege', rather than a student. And that, to my way of thinking, runs contrary to a true and honest pursuit of wisdom. No true teacher would want their student to be their protege.

 

[Audie]

But how can you be certain that the one spiritual teacher is right?

The whole spiritual journey / evolution of soul etc thing is not
something that makes any sense to me, and holds no interest
or appeal.

That said my opinion is of no known value here, but, here it is
anyway.

IF I were to seek out a "spiritual teacher" (so written as I dont really
know what that is) I think I would-
A- be wary of any claims, as fakes doth abound
B- be wary of any sort of "cult of personality"*
C- seek out other teachers / leaders forvsuch reasons as that
-same message may resonate differently by who / how it is told
-nobody knows it all
-explore different paths altogether

* I have an uncle who is stll an ardent Maoist

 

[pearl]

What are your thoughts? Is it better to stick with one teacher for your spiritual wealth, or is it better to experience and learn from many?

Better to experience other paths.

 

[Vinayaka]

But how can you be certain that the one spiritual teacher is right?

That's an individual thing. Some people spend their entire lives Guru-hopping. As soon as the Guru does or says something they disagree with, or isn't to their liking, they move on. For others, like me, it's just a deep inner knowing. Not even a decision. More like ... there's this road, it's the only road to Tuktoyaktuk, it's obvious that's the road I have to travel on.

 

[Fool]

Which is better? Is it better to have one guru, sage, master, pastor, mullah, rabbi, etc. (whatever you call the spiritual teacher on your path) when it comes to spiritual realizations or understanding? Or is is it better to learn from many?

In my chosen profession, I have had many supervisors, some good, some not so much. From them I have learned what practices would move me forward in my career, and what might hold me back or move me in the wrong direction. I picked what I perceived as the best and incorporated it into my own unique style, which has led me to success in my career.

I have done the same over the years on my spiritual journey. I have taken from many teachers on many paths, taken what I perceived to be the best ideas and practices, and through these have arrived at the understandings and realizations I have today.

What are your thoughts? Is it better to stick with one teacher for your spiritual wealth, or is it better to experience and learn from many?

a multitude as one


After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our Love


i heard the call of many and i echoed back to narcissus.


The Law of One Search Results for ‘call’


The Law of One Search Results for ‘wanderers’

 

[George-ananda]

What are your thoughts?

I think all good teachers and paths eventually merge into one at the top of the mountain. However we are each unique and may find one (or more than one) that better reaches us where we are at at this moment to show us up the mountain.

 

[Quintessence]

It's not my place to say what is better in any universal sense, for there is no such thing. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Some benefit greatly from the focus of having more limited sources of information and cannot focus when there is too much to draw from. Some benefit greatly from having a multitude of sources and cannot bear the stagnation of limited inspiration. It just depends.

But regardless of that, the fact is it is impossible to not have many teachers in our lives. We cannot shut out the chorus of voices that intersect our lives. They will influence us whether we acknowledge it or not. Is the discipline required to silence most of the chorus to focus on one voice important and useful? Yes. Is the discipline required to listen to the chorus and still get something intelligible out of it useful? Yes.

 

[Thief]

Or is is it better to learn from many?

you will learn from every encounter
every chance meeting will have an effect
even if it seems mundane and physical

but after the last breath heaven will ask....
what do you believe?

then they will ask .....WHO told you that?!!!!!
and why did you believe it?

they will then deal will you.....by what you believe and performed

then they go looking for the "rabbi"

 

[Twilight Hue]

Which is better? Is it better to have one guru, sage, master, pastor, mullah, rabbi, etc. (whatever you call the spiritual teacher on your path) when it comes to spiritual realizations or understanding? Or is is it better to learn from many?

In my chosen profession, I have had many supervisors, some good, some not so much. From them I have learned what practices would move me forward in my career, and what might hold me back or move me in the wrong direction. I picked what I perceived as the best and incorporated it into my own unique style, which has led me to success in my career.

I have done the same over the years on my spiritual journey. I have taken from many teachers on many paths, taken what I perceived to be the best ideas and practices, and through these have arrived at the understandings and realizations I have today.

What are your thoughts? Is it better to stick with one teacher for your spiritual wealth, or is it better to experience and learn from many?

Like a lot of things there's pros and cons.

Personally I would go for a broader view. Guru worship is not always a good thing imo.

 

[Vinayaka]

Of course, when I speak of one teacher, it means spiritual teacher, and the Guru-sishya relationship, not the mass market Guru stuff. For many other things, any expert can be the teacher, and just practicing observation, all people are teachers. Some teach you what not to do, some teach you what to do. But for specific inner stuff unique to you, you also need an expert. That's where one teacher is better, in my view. Then you don't risk the chance of getting contradictory personal advice. Diksha is also a lifetime vow, like marriage.