There are many gurus, teachers, masters, 'shifus', etc out there who can wax lyrical and speak of all kinds of impressive, wow-wow things, and who seems so 'knowledgeable'.
They may even have fanciful abilities.
My suggestion is, do be careful.
Just as there are fake, imitation goods, likewise, there are also fake, imitation gurus, teachers, etc, whatever you call them.
What I learn from my experience is, observe the teacher, preferably for a while, to see if the teacher practises what he/she is teaching.
e.g. If the teachers say, "Be simple," are the teachers simple?
Do they live simply?
Or do they have lots of material possessions?
Do they, or are they adorn from head to toe like a Christmas tree, with lots of lavish and elaborate decorations and ornaments around them?
Are they bothered or concern about the physical?
If the teacher says be humble, is the teacher humble?
Or, is the teacher singing praises of himself/herself?
And telling success stories of only the good students to boost his/her own ego?
If the teacher says relax and be happy, observe if the teacher is relax or rushed?
Calm or edgy?
Does the teacher laugh, or is full of insecurity and complaints?
If the teacher says let go, does the teacher let go?
Physically, mentally and emotionally.
This applies especially to those who have renounced (i.e the monks and nuns) or those who claimed that they've renounced.
Or are they still holding on to things, people, places, ideas/views, and very importantly, the past?
Do they hold on to past grudges (mental) ?
Or, anger - this person did this to me, took this away from me (emotional).
Observe.
A very good example of what I'm trying to say, is the show, "Mr Woodcock".
To me, that was an excellent show with a strong and powerful message.
But to many people, they feel the show was boring, or so-so.
The character in the show was an author of a self-help book entitled, "Letting go of your past", which was a best seller.
But when he came face-to-face with his past, especially his so-called 'nemesis', Mr Woodcock, a PE teacher who was 'mean' to his students, the author went 'crazy'.
Literally.
He even tore his own book!
It only goes to show that people can write, say and maybe even do a lot of fantastic stuff/things.
But the questions is,
Do they practise what they wrote, said, or teach?
Words are cheap.
Actions speaks louder than words.
So observe, Carefully.
"However many holy words you read;
However many you speak;What good will they do you,
If you do not act upon them."
- The Buddha .
.
"As he instructs others,
"As he instructs others,
So should he himself act.
Himself fully controlled,He should control (others);
For one self, indeed, is difficult to control."
- The Buddha
How can one who is full of desire and greed be a monk?"
- The Buddha
"The bhikkhu who is calm in body, calm in speech, calm in mind, who is well-composed, who has given up worldly things, is truly called a peaceful one."
- The Buddha
"He is not a wise man just because he talks much;
Only he who is peaceful, free from enmity, and does no harm to others, is called a wise man."
- The Buddha
"Let one first establish oneself in what is proper, and then instruct others.
Such a wise man will not be defiled."
- The Buddha
"He who looks, appears, and/or seems holy may not actually, exactly, and/or necessarily, be Truly Holy."
"Those who seek the true path to enlightenment must NOT expect an easy task, nor one made pleasant by offers of respect, honour and devotion."
"With power comes responsibilities.
But how many can, and are willing to be responsible,
Not just for the good, but also for the bad that comes along with it?"
"Knowledge is NOT equal to realisation :
You can have all the knowledge;
But if you do not practise,
You are just like a spoon -
Not tasting the flavour of the soup."
"Though much he recites the Sacred Texts, but acts not accordingly,
That heedless man is like a cowherd who counts others' kine.
He has no share in the fruits of the Holy Life.
- The Buddha (Dhammapada v.19)
