Psychic and Spiritual Groups
DEAR JEANETTE: There are so many psychic and spiritual groups teaching the ‘truth’ that I am completely confused. Can you help me to decide which ones I should give my money and support to? H.M., L.A., CA
DEAR H.M.: Questions of this type come so frequently that I have decided to devote several columns to the answer in order to give you more detailed information. There are, indeed, many individuals and groups that are attempting to teach others of the truth as they see it. And, of course, this can lead to confusion.
To make things even more difficult, even though I appreciate your having asked for my advice, I can help you only indirectly. You see, I cannot tell you just which group or groups of teachings will be right for you.
I could tell you which ones are right at this point for me. But your needs, your path for this lifetime, your stage of development, the path for your total soul development, may all be (and probably are) different from mine. Therefore the combination of groups which will fulfill our needs will be different.
This is one of the reasons that there are so many groups putting out Newsletters, conducting classes, writing books, or teaching people in whatever way they can. There are a great many needs to be met and there are many ways of approaching or presenting the solutions to each need.
Actually, we should probably consider it a good sign that there are so many different approaches being offered. The greater the number that are interested in helping to teach, the more students will have the opportunity to learn and in turn to spread the things which they have learned. So the truth spreads and the basis of action grows in and through the entire human race.
Some teachers seem to have a great deal of response and others have relatively little. All any teacher can do, of course, is to sow the seed and leave the increase to the Lord. And it is important that you, as a student, do not judge a teacher only on the number of others that are responding to him or her. If your personal needs at this time are the same as many other people’s, then you will be led to a ‘popular’ teacher. However, if you are on a path that few others are taking at this time, then the leadership that you will need may not have so many followers. Only you can be sure.
Tomorrow we will be a little more specific on how you go about deciding which teachers you want to listen to and therefore help. And you are helping them, even if you never send them any money or volunteer any of your time. If you listen to them, and especially if you apply their teachings in your own life, you are helping.
Part 2
One of the best ways to evaluate a group or an individual is by the fruits or results that follow the application of the teachings. Sometimes you can see these results in the lives of others and know without trying them for yourself that you want no part of the ‘fruits’ that come as a consequence of following that particular teacher.
In other instances you will need to investigate more closely. Possibly reading some of their printed material or talking to some of their members will enable you to make a decision.
The basic test to be applied is always the same whether you are viewing from a distance, talking casually with members, or studying deeply. Does the teaching, when you have taken it to yourself personally and applied it in your life, bring you inner peace or turmoil? Growth or retardation? Love or hate?
Your own ‘still, small voice within’, your own ‘inner knower’ should be the final judge. Now by inner peace and lack of confusion, I do not mean that there will not be any questions raised within you. Frequently, questions and further seeking will be exactly what will result, but that is very different from ‘confusion’ and ‘turmoil’.
One more precaution: periodic reevaluation is always necessary. The teacher may have changed and no longer fit your needs. In other words, be careful not to place more importance on the teacher than on the teachings.
In addition, you may have changed and it may be necessary for you to move on to another teacher. Just as in grade school, a teacher will often stay with the grade while the students move on.
Thus you want to stay alert to your own guidance as to which groups are right for you at any given time and as to when it is right for you to change. An open mind coupled with the understanding that change (being careful that it is in the right direction) is good and represents growth will lead you into some interesting adventures.
Part 3
We have looked at the role of intuition in finding the ‘right’ group - now we will consider intellectual assessment of groups.
Let me quote from a pamphlet, “The New Group of World Servers”. Then apply this to the teacher or group you are thinking of.
“Let us drop our antagonisms and our antipathies and think in terms of the one family, the one life, and the one humanity.
“The leaders (of the New Group of World Servers which is not an organization) are those who initiate and carry forward activities which benefit humanity as a whole. These leaders are known by their harmless, constructive and inclusive qualities.
They “emphasize the points of contact and not the points of difference. They foster no sectarian divisions and they work to end racial hatreds and the many class distinctions. They call attention to the good and true and enunciate the principles of brotherly understanding, mutual goodwill and the fatherhood of God, upon which all true brotherhood must be based.
“They will not necessarily be people who could be termed ‘religious’ in the ordinary sense of the word, but they will be people of good will, of high mental calibre, with minds well stocked and equipped; they will be free from personal ambition and selfishness, animated by love of humanity and a desire to help the race. Such a man is a spiritual man.”
Each day there is a large group throughout the world who link themselves together in thought by using the following dedication which is given in the pamphlet. If you would like to be a part of this growing group, at five o’clock wherever you may be, simply read silently but thoughtfully:
“May the Power of the one Life pour through the group of all true servers.
“May the love of the one Soul characterize the lives of all who seek to aid the Great Ones.
“May I fulfill my part in the one Work through self-forgetfulness, harmlessness, and right speech.”
This can be done in a few seconds of time and helps to keep up almost continuous prayer. Such works can be helpful to the world and it will also be helpful to you as you begin truly to find your part in the one Work and the teachers or groups that will help you grow to fulfill it.