Austin Spiritual Guidance: Sacred Sexuality, Sacred Relationship And More

Spiritual Teachers and Healers
by Dr. Michael Mirdad

In this new age, we know that in some respects we are all teachers. When properly understood, it means
that we are all teaching and learning from each other—in each and every moment. This is especially true
given that we are all one and simply mirroring different aspects of ourselves to each other.

However, this does not negate the need for, and value of, those who play the symbolic role of teacher, or
healer, to others who choose to be taught or healed. As Jesus puts it in A Course In Miracles, teachers
and masters do not deserve your awe and worship but they do deserve your respect, as there is
something valuable that they took time to become proficient in and it is now being offered to you.

In the old age, there was a need for some individuals to be held up as symbols of awareness and
attainment. They were surrogates for God. This may have been a shaman, a priest, prophet, or any other
spiritual leader. Their role was a necessary one, at a time when people were less likely to choose the
responsibility to educate themselves and integrate their own Divinity.

In the new age, however, things are changing rapidly. The teacher of today might be an amazing master,
like those of old. Yet he/she might also just be an author, counselor, or workshop facilitator with a unique
way of saying something. They are not necessarily masters, and yet they are unconsciously placed in the
role that only high-level initiates and masters were once given. This adds a level of responsibility to their
role that they might not always welcome nor be spiritually and personally prepared for.

All teachers and healers have to decide how much humanity or Divinity to express and manifest. With the
latter comes a great deal of authority, which allows a greater level of trust from others, which in turn
allows more openness to transformation. Of course, on the other hand, with such power comes confusion
and sometimes abuse of power. This, in itself, can be a great test (initiation) that takes teachers and
healers to a new level of growth.

Although teachers and healers of today might not have gone through the tests and initiations as those
of yesterday, it makes the facilitators of today more human and accessible, which means less of a gap
between teacher and student. This ultimately means there is less chance of worship and co-dependence
towards someone who is, in reality, an equal who walks along with you, on the same journey. The
methods and techniques used by a teacher or healer of today are often more advanced than those
of old, in that they are more diverse. Further, the student or client is now learning how to use these
methods on themselves, rather than being as dependant as before.

n this day and age, the role of “spiritual leader” has certainly been challenged. There have been
bizarre rumors ranging from falsities to perversions about the likes of Wayne Dyer, Ram Dass,
Martin Luther King, Ghandi, Sai Baba, and Deepak Chopra. We also hear stories that Krishna was
only a myth and not a real person and that Jesus never really died on the cross but was secretly
replaced by an imposter.

It seems apparent that humanity has an insatiable need to tear down those held up as spiritual role
models. Could it be a way to sabotage those moments when we are getting too close to God? It’s
as though there is some sense of relief found in having a role-model fall. Then, people can say, “
Oh, so that was not for real. Now I can sit back and go back into my spiritual amnesia and not be
concerned that I might need to change something in my life.”

A great example was in the crucifixion of a man (Jesus) who proved to have a message that was too
much for the time. Imagine the moment of relief in the hearts of his accusers when he chose not to
prove his righteousness. It made them feel validated in their attacks and defenses. It was proof in their
delusional minds that there was nothing there after all.

Of course, this is not to say that some of the rumors about teachers, psychics, prophets, and the like, are
always false. In fact, someone just shared an email with me about a popular new age author who recently
sent out an apology for some of his embellishments in the stories he used.

Such embellishments only become an issue when the student makes the image of the teacher, or the
details of their story, greater than the message held within the story. In such cases, they have created an
idol of a teacher and have forgotten to integrate the message of that teacher into their life. It makes no
difference if Krishna ever lived in the flesh. The question is if, and what, you learned. If you gained
something, great! If not, then quietly move on. Don’t use your own dissatisfaction as a means to turn your
back on all forms of religion or spirituality. If you do, then it is a sign that you are the one with the problem
and the one who is looking for a reason to run. Of course this behavior and tendency applies to our
personal relationships as well.

It serves us all to keep in mind that it is the student’s responsibility to decide which teaching, or healing,
style works for them. Also, remember that what you learn is more important that who teaches you. In other
words, it’s essential to avoid making the facilitator more important than the goal. When this gets confused,
the responsibility can be on either, the part of the facilitator, or the student, or both. In any event, a
simple, blameless solution should be sought and applied.

While we are still on the planet, the chances are good the role of teacher or healer will still be of value.
Yet there is an incredible shift in awareness around these roles. When it comes to choosing a teacher or
thought system, it comes down to each person deciding whether or not it works for them. However, there
are also some basic rules of discernment that everyone would benefit by using. These include:

1. All teachers and healers are just a mirror—usually of your higher self. The good you see in them
reflects your own. So, OWN IT and give yourself a pat on the back.

2. Their message should be clear and uplifting rather than confusing, fear-based or condescending.

3. The message should be consistent and not contradictory.

4. The message must resonate and align with your own inner heart connection to God.

5. The message of a true teacher or healer is one that empowers the student or client on how to attain a
higher level of awareness and healthy living for themselves.

6. Last, but not least, A good teacher or healer is clear that they are only a bridge to God (a messenger,
NOT the message) and that their role is ultimately to shine light on the path for others to find their way
back to God.

Michael Mirdad is a Spiritual Teacher and Healer and author of “The Seven Initiations On The Spiritual
Path—Understanding the Purpose to Life’s Tests.” He has taught thousands of lectures and workshops
throughout the world for the last 25 years and will be a keynote speaker at the upcoming Universal
Lightworkers Conference on Nov. 14-16 in south Florida. For more info. about Michael Mirdad, visit his
website at www.Grailproductions.com or call 360-671-8349.