It is still amazing when you are within the flow, how so many things happen in the manner that they do. This morning I was out in the world carrying on the business of life. A conversation began with a person whom I have spoken with many times before in the past. The conversation today was different than the normal social hellos. I was asked a profound question that caused a pause on my part. The question was "how do you call into your life the amazing teachers that you have. I want one."
I smiled. I am truly blessed with the teachers that are in my life. In pausing before answering the question it occurred to me that when I was calling in a teacher to my life I had no direction. I truly had no concise idea of what was necessary to happen before I called out. I am not sure that at the time, in my naive thinking, that I would have done the calling if I had known what would be required of me. It is not as simple as sitting in a classroom having a teach lecture, answer a few questions and then you have a pass or fail grade. When you are speaking in the spiritual realm there is so much more involved.
Many times we have heard the expression 'when the student is ready, the teacher will appear'. There is a lot of truth to these words. Different teachers have appeared in my path at different times serving different purposes. Each time, when I reflect back upon it, it was after I had done a great deal of internal work to become prepared. One can read a book or listen to a lecture, even perhaps take a class but until the student does the work that is suggested in each of these venues then nothing will change.
Many times I have heard those around me speak of manifesting and affirmations only to say in the next breath how things were not working out in the manner they were manifesting. Often they will ask me why is that? While words are powerful and our intentions are energy, unless something within the person shifts, regardless of how many times you repeat the affirmation it will not become your truth. When I was calling for a teacher recently, I spoke in earnest while saying my prayers. I stated I was ready and willing to be guided. Nothing happened. No momentous event occurred.
What did happen however, was a series of small events that changed my perspective of what I was really seeking. See I had this visual in my mind of what to expect. First red flag. My own expectations. I had a visual in my mind of what I wanted to learn. Again red flag. I had spent the previous year doing some very deep soul searching and personal inventory work to cleanse my own self of things that would bind me or limit my abilities to be of service. This was not some two hour class process. The time invested was well worth the journey. It also prepared my spirit for the events that would begin to transpire.
It began one afternoon when I did something that I am not comfortable doing. Contrary to what many people see outwardly, I am a rather reserved and shy person. I would much prefer the solitary work in my gardens than ever be in front of a group of people speaking or teaching. I am not one that goes to big social events just for the pleasure of socializing. I never saw an issue with this. Then it happened. A small event shifted by being. I went to a dinner with people I did not know, at a restaurant I had never been too, and in a town I had never visited. Some that have known me for years can attest to the fact this was huge.
That simple dinner shifted everything within me. I knew that it was not okay for me to be this solitary, behind the scenes person any longer. In that one short four hour dinner I was becoming ready to find the teacher. Or rather have the teacher find me. If I had known before that day the profound changes I would have to make in my own being or what spirit had in mind for my journey, I can honestly say I am not sure I would have gone to dinner that night. Would I change it now? Absolutely not.
So back to the original question, how do you call a teacher into your path. Begin with asking yourself what is it that you want from a teacher? What are you willing to change about yourself to ready yourself for this teacher? What are you willing to let go? What purpose is the teacher going to bring into your path? Don't get caught up in what you want to learn specifically, but rather what principles do you want to learn. Many times I have heard people share how their vessel is overflowing. Stop and think about this for a moment. If your vessel is overflowing and you are not willing to empty it to be refilled again - what more can a spiritual teacher give you?
I was asked to share the reflections that I use when doing a spiritual accounting . This is a week long process that I reflect each day in a different kingdom and how my relationship and relatedness is with each. Some of the questions that I use lead me to journal on different aspects of my spiritual life. When done thoughtfully through prayer and meditation, things be come clear.
