The guru question: the perils and rewards of choosing a spiritual teacher/ mariana caplan

Review Caplan believes that most people eventually find themselves on a spiritual path, whether they seek it out or not. Once that journey begins, the issue of working with a spiritual teacher---a guru---arises. In Western culture, the relationship between spiritual teacher and student is complex and there are few resources available to help people decipher that relationship. Caplan has been working to fill that void. This book, originally her doctoral dissertation, brings the rewards and pitfalls of what she calls conscious discipleship into the light in order to distill them into a set of basic guidelines. It is an in-depth study, tackling issues such as psychological sanity, assessing spiritual authority, false complaint syndrome (valuable for customers who teach), sex in exchange for teaching, and defining true power. She has reprinted some of the interviews with spiritual teachers that she did as part of her original research in 2000. Whether your customers are looking for a long-term relationship with a teacher, or seeking to understand how to separate the wheat from the chafe in short-term study, this book provides the information they are looking for. --Anna Jedrziewski - New Age Retailer SpiritConnectionNewYork.org Product Description The spiritual journey is perhaps the most personal experience of our lives--but does that mean we have to go it alone? With The Guru Question, award-winning author Mariana Caplan brings you a unique and much-needed guide for deciding whether you need a dedicated mentor to help illuminate your path to awakening--and if so, how to navigate the deep complexities of the guru-disciple relationship. For those seeking a teacher worthy of their trust and devotion, or anyone who has been frustrated by their experiences with a spiritual teacher, Caplan offers candid, practical, and daringly personal examination of the student-teacher dynamic, including: Are you ready to be a student? If and when you should consider making a commitment to a spiritual teacher The path of the conscious learner--how to retain your power and autonomy while accepting a mentor's authority Tips for the wounded seeker--the valuable lessons we learn from our encounters with false teachers Spiritual scandals and predatory gurus--guidance for avoiding the inherent pitfalls in the student-teacher relationship How to recognize the inner light of divinity as it manifests in the imperfect human guise of your teacher--and yourself In a time when a distrust of authority has been proven to be a healthy trait, we tend to be justifiably suspicious of those who present themselves as gurus and spiritual masters. Drawing upon her knowledge as both a scholar of mysticism and lifelong practitioner of spiritual traditions, Mariana Caplan helps readers develop the discernment that is crucial when seeking an authentic teacher--and reveals the immeasurable rewards that can come from having a trustworthy guide on the spiritual path. Self-Realization,Religion,Body; Mind & Spirit,Religious Aspects,General,Spirituality,Self-Realization - Religious Aspects,Fiction/General,Hinduism,Spiritual Formation The Spiritual Journey Is Perhaps The Most Personal Experience Of Our Lives—but Does That Mean We Have To Go It Alone? With The Guru Question, Award-winning Author Mariana Caplan Brings You A Unique And Much-needed Guide For Deciding Whether You Need A Dedicated Mentor To Help Illuminate Your Path To Awakening—and If So, How To Navigate The Deep Complexities Of The Guru-disciple Relationship. For Those Seeking A Teacher Worthy Of Their Trust And Devotion, Or Anyone Who Has Been Frustrated By Their Experiences With A Spiritual Teacher, Caplan Offers A Candid, Practical, And Daringly Personal Examination Of The Student-teacher Dynamic, Including: Are You Ready To Be A Student? If And When You Should Consider Making A Commitment To A Spiritual Teacher The Path Of The Conscious Learner—how To Retain Your Power And Autonomy While Accepting A Mentor's Authority Tips For The Wounded Seeker—the Valuable Lessons We Learn From Our Encounters With False Teachers Spiritual Scandals And Predatory Gurus—guidance For Avoiding The Inherent Pitfalls In The Student-teacher Relationship How To Recognize The Inner Light Of Divinity As It Manifests In The Imperfect Human Guise Of Your Teacher—and Yourself In A Time When A Distrust Of Authority Has Been Proven To Be A Healthy Trait, We Tend To Be Justifiably Suspicious Of Those Who Present Themselves As Gurus And Spiritual Masters. Drawing Upon Her Knowledge As Both A Scholar Of Mysticism And Lifelong Practitioner Of Spiritual Traditions, Mariana Caplan Helps Readers Develop The Discernment That Is Crucial When Seeking An Authentic Teacher—and Reveals The Immeasurable Rewards That Can Come From Having A Trustworthy Guide On The Spiritual Path. Entering the spiritual supermarket Types of authority "Guru" as a four-letter word : criticisms of spiritual teachers and the nature of spiritual scandals The importance of a spiritual teacher Basic psychological sanity Conscious relationship to power dynamics Mutual trust and surrender Meeting the teacher : defining criteria for teacher and student Breaking the rules Spiritual monogamy versus "sleeping around" Guru games and crazy wisdom Obedience Imperfections in the teacher The source of true power For the glory of love Toward a vision of world spirituality Epilogue an unexpected twist : false complaints against teachers Appendix interviews with teachers and scholars.