The Fire Of Truth!

The path that Siddharta took on his way to enlightenment is a story that I find quite inspirational. When he left his home he allegedly first shopped around a bit to see what knowledge was available, that would help him to attain his goal. I assume (but we don´t know) that he learned a few useful things. But he disliked the fact that the veda´s were only accessible to the Brahmin's´s. For this reason I also don´t know whether the Siddharta himself has received knowledge from the veda´s.
But whether he did or not, he was of the opinion that this knowledge should be accessible to everyone. This opinion can be interpreted in two ways. First he very likely meant that everyone from any background should have access to the veda´s. Second, at the same time, he could also have meant that as everyone breathes the same air, there is now way that the knowledge (in potential) is not accessible to everyone: there is no other way; the mystery is the same for everyone – how can it not be accessible to everyone?! Well, at least he was of the opinion that it was accessible to him, for he went his own way.
But still with an openness to learn from others. Along this way he tried two different meditation techniques. He was so good at it (he even attracted some ´followers´) that the teachers of both techniques asked him to become a teacher. But he refused – for he had not found enlightenment yet.
Then, after he almost starved himself with the second meditation technique. He came to the insight of the ´middle way.´ He then thought about the happiness he experienced as a child while contemplating in nature – not harsh meditation, but also no total indulgence in the appearances. He thought: ´well nothing has worked so far, why not try that again, and see what happens.´ I guess you could say he started practicing mindfulness.
Then he allegedly sat contemplating under a bodhi tree and he took a vow to not leave his place before he reached enlightenment. And after 40 (symbolic) days he got what he longed for so deeply!
But before he went through the ´gateless gate´, as he sat in total openness, everything visited him – every horror and temptation imaginable was screaming for his attention. Only after (and this is my interpretation) he saw beyond any doubt that he was not separated from anything he could go through the ´gateless gate. ´ He was the world and the world was him.

From a certain perspective the seeker-realm looks like a minefield. There are dozens of teachers. The fact that there are many teachers is no problem at all – the more the merrier. Yet, it starts looking like a minefield when the seeker get´s the impression that he/she has to be aware that there are genuine and not-so-genuine teachers (look out!) So, not just teachers that you resonate with or not, but ´false prophets.´ Although most of these phonies are good-hearted and have best intentions (they are just under the illusion that they are ´There.´) If they would have been in the position of the Buddha they would have taken the job the meditation-teacher offered them.

But there is no use in pointing which one ´real´ or ´unreal´, because it´s so subjective. You can only follow your inner truth, and decide for yourself. But this does not mean that it´s not useful to look at the mechanisms involved. For example, what if someone is not fully enlightened, but this particular teacher did receive ´the nod´ from his/her teacher to spread the word, what does this then say about the teacher who gave ´the nod.´? Let´s say (just as an example) that Cohen is not genuine, then what does this say about Papaji?

(below quotes from: http://www.enlightened-spirituality.org/neo-advaita.html )
"Papaji made it clear in the book Nothing Ever Happened [the official biography of Papaji, painstakingly compiled by David Godman] that those he sent to teach not only are not enlightened, they are not even temporarily enlightened.¨

David: “You used to give experiences to a lot of people. Why did you do it if you knew that the effect would not be permanent?
Papaji: “I did it to get rid of the leeches who were sticking to me, never allowing me to rest or be by myself. It was a very good way of getting rid of all these leeches in a polite way. I knew that in doing this I was giving lollipops to the ignorant and innocent, but this is what these people wanted.[...]

"#1. When asked about those he sent to teach, Papaji said that the purpose was to have them point the way to Lucknow, not to pose as awakened teachers.¨

But didn´t he give the idea that some of his devotees really got it?
I guess we will never know exactly.

David: “Many people have heard you say, ‘I have not given my final teachings to anyone’. What are these final teachings, and why are you not giving them out?”
Papaji: “Nobody is worthy to receive them. Because it has been my experience that everybody has proved to be arrogant and egotistic… I don’t think anyone is worthy to receive them. You have to prove holiness to be worthy.... […]¨

Final teachings???
Perhaps he was a member of the free-masonry.:) Again, we will never know. But it´s healthy to see the stickiness of it all.

Unenlightened as I may be, I see one thing that is unshakable: if there is such a thing as enlightenment, then upon attaining this no outside verification is needed. If there still is a slight hint of ´am I There yet ?´, then you are not There. So this also goes for Gangaji who upon going back to the States, was afraid that she would perhaps ´lose it´ as Papaji would not be around anymore. Perhaps she did attain enlightenment as she went back to the States and her insight deepened.

And then there are all these anti-guru type-teachers, who are very critical of there colleagues. This is very useful, but of course the fact that a certain teacher is very critical doesn´t mean that he himself is enlightened.

So what´s my point? Teacher bashing?
No. I´m sharing my insight that the reference point of what´s true and not true lies within ourselves. Teachers can point to the moon, but that´s it. Every seeker has to become his own guru. Whether you like it or not. Every bad teacher story can become an invitation to go back to yourself. I´m starting to see the whole teacher-seeker story more and more as one big living koan. At some times it´s even quite funny.

Just a few examples of thoughts that I find refreshing:
- Perhaps the Buddha didn´t even exist.
- Some teachers live a celibate life (without an effort), but is this natural, or is underneath this celibate way a little attachment to a blissful state, a slight pushing away of everyday life. ( If you are voluntarily celibate you become ultra sensitive. ) In this regard you can even take a fresh look at Raman Maharshi. (´How dare you questioning the king of advaita?!)
-Is enlightenment a ´ hoax´?

So, what are you waiting for?
That next video on NNH that will blow you away (again)? Or the true SatGuru?

Whether you like it or not you already are your own guru. The question is, do you accept this, or do you keep denying it (out of fear)?
You already know enough, you know the basics. Now look for yourself, and see how utterly weird it would be if outside verification is needed - because it´s all about You!