Teacher versus "Guru" (Spiritual Guide or Master)

A teacher takes responsibility of your growth
A spiritual guide makes you responsible for your growth

A teacher gives you things you do not have, and require
A spiritual guide takes away things you have, and do not require

A teacher answers your questions
A spiritual guide questions your answers

A teacher helps you get out of the maze
A spiritual guide destroys the maze

A teacher requires obedience and discipline from the pupil

A spiritual guide requires trust and humility from the pupil

A teacher clothes you and prepares you for the outer journey
A spiritual guide strips you naked and prepares you for the inner journey

A teacher is a guide on the path
A spiritual guide is a pointer to the way

A teacher sends you on the road to success
A spiritual guide sends you on the road to freedom

A teacher explains the world and its nature to you
A spiritual guide explains yourself and your nature to you

A teacher makes you understand how to move about in the world
A spiritual guide shows you where you stand in relation to the world

A teacher gives you knowledge and boosts your ego
A spiritual guide takes away your knowledge and punctures your ego

A teacher instructs you
A spiritual guide constructs you

A teacher sharpens your mind
A spiritual guide opens your mind

A teacher shows you the way to prosperity
A spiritual guide shows the way to serenity

A teacher reaches your mind
A spiritual guide touches your soul

A teacher gives you knowledge
A spiritual guide makes you wise

A teacher gives you maturity
A spiritual guide returns you to innocence

A teacher instructs you on how to solve problems
A spiritual guide shows you how to resolve issues

A teacher is a systematic thinker
A spiritual guide is a lateral thinker

A teacher will punish you with a stick
A spiritual guide will punish you with compassion

A teacher is to pupil what a father is to son
A spiritual guide is to pupil what mother is to her child

One can always find a teacher
However, a spiritual guide has to find and accept you

A teacher leads you by the hand
A spiritual guide leads you by example

Author unknown

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Q: Is it necessary to have a guru? Some spiritual traditions say it is.

A: Everyone already has a guru - the Self.

The Presence of God is ever present. By Grace, the 'Holy Spirit' is that aspect of divine consciousness available to all.

Because one's ego blocks off awareness of the Self, which is within,

It is re-connected to Truth, by contact with the spiritual master, the avatar, or spiritual teachings.

The spiritual sage has, by means of greater spiritual evolution, closer contact and identification with the Self, and

So is able to speak, teach, and be of help and guidance.

The hearing of spiritual experience is inspirational to others. All spiritual growth is by consent of one's free will.

A true teacher does not impose their will on others but makes their understandings available to all.

David R. Hawkins – "The Eye of the I"