No one knows what\u2019s better for you than you do. So why do we seek outside for help? Sometimes those around us can reflect back what our hearts are whispering. Friends and family can put into words things that we know intuitively about a direction to take or something we need to act on. But on the spiritual path many people feel drawn to seek out a guru. The word, \u201cguru\u201d comes from Sanskrit and simply means \u201cteacher.\u201d<\/p>\n
Teachers come in many forms. They can come to us through sacred texts, spiritual writings, and inspired words from those we admire. Sometimes teachers are in unexpected places like a cashier at a check out counter who teaches us patience. On the spiritual path some people feel called to seek out a teacher at an ashram, a church or another place of worship. These can be good places to start to go deeper until the inner voice becomes stronger, more conscious and direct.<\/p>\n
I love the Sanskrit word, \u201csadguru\u201d or \u201csathguru.\u201d This means literally \u201cinner teacher\u201d or \u201ctrue teacher.\u201d This concept bowled me over. In Hindu teachings as I understood them in travels to India, the sadguru or the true teacher is the one that is inside my very own heart. It whispers guidance and instruction to me through a still, small voice. This is not the loud chattering of the mind. It\u2019s quiet and requires me to be still and listen for it. When I do this and act on this deep guidance from within, I find my way.<\/p>\n
There are three steps to developing this inner listening:<\/p>\n
1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Commit to listening to your inner teacher. When the decision is made there will be no lack of communication.<\/p>\n
2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Create a regular space and time for listening. By fixing a set time and place, it\u2019s the same as saying to your inner teacher, \u201cI\u2019m showing up. Help me find my way.\u201d The reflections and experiences in this quiet place are subtle. Keep up the practice and you\u2019ll be surprised at what learning occurs.<\/p>\n
3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Act on your inner guidance. If you feel strongly that it\u2019s time to move to a end a relationship, move to a new place or look for a new job, then trust your inner guidance and go. If you\u2019re not quite sure, write your question on a piece of paper and place it on your altar. Contemplate your question during the silent sitting practice. Make a decision. Sleep on it. See if you feel the same the next day.<\/p>\n
Listening to the inner teacher requires practice. But it will be well worth the effort.<\/p>\n
Bio:<\/strong> Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life<\/a>. A visionary and teacher, she\u2019s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind\/body\/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http:\/\/www.awakeintheworld.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" No one knows what\u2019s better for you than you do. So why do we seek outside for help? Sometimes those around us can reflect back what our hearts are whispering. Friends and family can put into words things that we know intuitively about a direction to take or something we need to act on. But…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":409,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,4,26,3],"tags":[277,278,276],"class_list":["post-395","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-buddhism","category-inspiration","category-meditation","category-spiritual-practice","tag-learning-through-inner-listening","tag-practicing-self-guidance","tag-self-knowledge-and-teaching"],"yoast_head":"\n