The role of Imperfect Teachers

As we make our way through this world, it can be a challenge to navigate through all the tests and obstacles that we find in our daily lives. When we examine the lives of the Great Ones who came before us, such as Jesus or Buddha or Moses, as well as many others, we are in awe. In perfecting their lives, they were able to do incredible things, and offer teachings that influence our lives to this day. Their journeys were shaped by situations that the majority of us would find unfathomable. These beings were true examples of love and compassion. Their lives were not selfishly lived; rather, they gave up material wealth in pursuit of the spiritual.

In our current age, in the absence of such Great Ones, we are left with spiritual teachers who are generally flawed. We hear of yogis who have affairs, gurus who put much emphasis on money, religious leaders who live in mansions while those they administer to, live in poverty. How do we reconcile the choices of these individuals from their teachings?

It can help to remember that we are all on a path of evolution. On these journeys, some may make choices that others find questionable. It can be very disillusioning to learn that someone we admire has made life choices that we don’t agree with. What do we do in these instances? It is all too easy to judge.

Instead, I would suggest a more measured approach. We all must choose our own path, and some choices are very difficult. We could never fully understand another person’s reasons for making their choices. With this in mind, it helps to let go of our tendency to judge the choices that another has made. For any choice that anyone makes, there are reasons that are beyond our comprehension.

When we follow a teacher who talks about charity and giving, but then learn that they live in luxury, our reaction might be to shirk from that teacher. However, if we can embrace this person for their weaknesses as well as strengths, and learn from their choices, perhaps we can grow from this experience. So, even though this teacher may have made some choices which we don’t understand, if we are able to separate their choices from their teachings, we can continue to learn. We can embrace these teachers in their entirety, just as God loves us all, regardless of any imperfections. We can let the strengths be an inspiration to us, and we can be compassionate about the weaknesses.

If we think back to our youth, we will likely remember a teacher or mentor who stood out because they saw our potential and they encouraged us. Because they saw the best in us, this made us better, as we strived to be what these people saw in us. Is it possible that if we were to focus on the best qualities of our teachers, we could help them to become better also?

We live in an ever changing world where the things that were acceptable last year, are no longer acceptable today. For the last couple hundred years, George Washington, the first president of the United States, was revered. Recently however, there have been news reports about statues of George Washington being removed because he owned slaves. Did George Washington change, or did the public decide to judge him by new standards?

With this idea in mind, perhaps we can try to let go of our judgements. Our ideas of what is acceptable, change with the times. Perhaps we can embrace people as they are, acknowledging that no one is perfect. The bible reminds us not to judge. The verse in Matthew 7:1 says, “Do not judge, or you will be judged.” In John 8:7, when a crowd gathered to stone a woman for adultery, Jesus said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”

I once had a spiritual teacher with a very colourful past that included having multiple children with several different men. Through her own efforts, she was able to grow and blossom and become an incredible spiritual teacher. Her guidance was always filled with great love and compassion that was born of her own experiences. Perhaps she would not have been as good a teacher if she had not made certain choices.

Just as we are all human and we all make mistakes, the teachers among us today are also human and have also made mistakes. We can learn from the Great Ones, like Jesus, who taught us to love everyone. Jesus even had love for those who would nail him to a cross, and asked God to forgive them.

Does this mean that we need to keep someone in our lives as a teacher if we disagree with their current choices? The answer lies in discernment. How does the teacher live their life? Are they kind and respectful to all others? Are they humble? When they make mistakes, how do they make amends? Is the teacher able to answer our questions? Do the answers seem logical, or do they create doubt? A good teacher will always welcome questions and will tell you when they don’t know the answer. In following a teacher, it is for each of us to determine whether the teachings are helping us to advance. The right teacher for one person may not be the right teacher for another. We all have the right to leave a teacher if we find that their path no longer coincides with our own and/or we disagree with their teachings. When this happens, we can still be grateful for the lessons we have learned and remember that everyone comes into our life for a reason.

It can help us to remember to love all our teachers, past and present. This includes those teachers we have parted ways with. No teacher is perfect, but the sincere teachers have a desire to share their knowledge and help us grow. Perhaps we are also growing when we can put aside our judgments and find unity with all who have taught us. In the divine plan, we are all one; we are all united. So, if we can see the best in others, maybe we can help them become better, and that would in some way, help us to also become better. In this little way, by treating everyone with love and compassion, regardless of whether we still keep them as teachers, perhaps we could all help to make the world a better place.

By L. Stein
Philippines