A Prudent Way

Enlightenment for Sale?

For years I have explored and studied spirituality enlightenment or some refer to as the new age arena. On my journey, I have encountered some of the most amazing teachers, which are usually the most humble, and generally have had the greatest impact.

The new age arena exploded in recent years and self-proclaimed teachers /spiritual masters or gurus flooded the market. More modalities are available today than ever before for folks that are seeking to enrich their spiritual life. Some teachers, authors and speakers have some fantastic methods that are available for the masses to access. For example, Oprah and Eckhart Tolle offered a FREE 10-week webinar to all who would like to attend on his  Book A New Earth. Literally millions of people around the world tuned in each week and were able to participate in an interactive group study on his revolutionary book. There were many accounts of peoples lives that were shifted in positive ways and accounts of great new perspectives that were emerging across the world. Clearly the message was more important than the money to Oprah and Eckhart. Both, truly bringing sacred spiritual healing techniques and acting as messengers of spirit.

Not all teachers, however, operate from that paradigm of generosity of spirit. It seems there are so many that are capitalizing on this generations thirst for spiritual expansion. It does not take too much to find the names of these people as some are at the forefront of media and yet, they charge huge amounts of money to study with them. It seems if you want the Secret to true enlightenment, you can have it, IF you have the cash to pay for it. I have seen seminars cost literally thousands of dollars a day to attend.  Now that is what I call Greed. There are countless scam artists out there that tell you for the right amount of money, they will show you how to get what you already possess.

Conversely, there are what I call the real holy teachers and walking masters. These are the folks that ask very little or nothing at all; except if people care to make a donation or a contribution to these teachers. A woman from India who is noted as a modern day Avatar  Mother Meera conducts Darshan - giving the blessings of Divine Light and Love.  She is a humble and holy woman who shares her gifts and wisdom and asks nothing of her devotees. Should someone care to make a donation to Mother they may. Yet, her wisdom and blessing is not with held from any one.

What I have found in my journey is enlightenment is not something out side of us. It is inherent in us all.There are good teachers that offer courses of study at a reasonable level or you can purchase their books, cds or videos if you can not afford the workshops. They simply offer tools to help you re-connect to your divine self.

Unfortunately, Spirituality has been capitalized on by some greedy and manipulative ego based individuals that have led unsuspecting and honestly open hearted people to believe that the more you pay, the more you get, or the better the path is if you pay more money. It is a con game. There are many paths and great, honest, truly spiritual teachers that can help you realize that what you seek lies within you. In the world of capitalism, the pretense of you get what you pay for does NOT apply in the realm of spirituality. I have found that to be true. Put it to the test, next time you meet a ?spiritual teacher? ask them the last time they went and truly served those in need, went and fed the hungry, consoled the ill or the parent who lost a child. Consider the masters of the past (Abraham, Jesus, Buddha, Mother Teresa) , and where they taught, how they lived and the legacy of their wisdom. I think you will agree that enlightenment can not be bought.  It is something you already possess - you may just need to shed some layers to find it again.