We spend an enormous part of our lives as human beings looking for role models, mentors, teachers,gurus, and counselors to guide us on our path. There is nothing wrong with this; in fact, finding the right person at the right time can have a life-changing effect on our futures.
However, it is important to realize that in the absence of such a person, we can very safely rely upon ourselves. We carry within us everything we need to know to make progress on our paths to self-realization.
The outer world serves as a mirror, or to use another metaphor, our inner world has a magnetic force that draws to us what we need to evolve to the next level. All we need to do to see that we already have everything we need is to let go of our belief that we need to seek in order to find.
The path of the spirit is often defined as a journey with a specific goal such as the fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow or the appearance of a Prince Charming or Princess. The problem with such a journey is that human beings search for something they want but do not have and they do not always find what they are searching for. When they do find it, there is a possibility of a happy ending.
However, most of us know that getting what we want only makes us happy for a moment, and then the happiness passes until a new object of desire presents itself.
Joy is a permanent aspect of our inner selves and is not separate from us at any point. We do not have to travel to find it or imagine that it resides only in the body of another. In fact, what the best teachers will do is point out that this very precious elixir is something we already possess.
So when we find ourselves on our path, not knowing which way to turn and wishing for guidance, we can turn to ourselves. We may not know the right answer rationally or intellectually, but if we simply ask, let go, and wait patiently, an answer will come.
The more we practice this and trust this process, the less we will look outside ourselves for teachers and guides for we will have successfully become our own.
