Should a spiritual teacher live in solitude?

[prasanth5]

This is a question that has no direct answer. Why should a spiritual leader live in solitude. What happens if he lives amongst us? Should we go to him in the deep woods for initiation? What are your opinions?

 

[Dirk]

To know a society, you must be there and not there. You need to experience it, but you need to be detached. I think that it should more be a mental exercise, than literally banishing oneself to a mountaintop. Objectivity is a valuable tool, but we need to know what we're talking about, wouldn't you agree?

I would also like to add that I think anyone can philosophise, anyone can analyse and ascertain certain moral ideas or social truths, be they a spiritual teacher or, like myself, a cleaner.

 

[prasanth5]

Good analysis by you Dirk. One need not retire to mountain top but unfortunately that is what is happening now. Some people retire to mountain top for the fear of their own families!

 

[alexmike]

I don't think that a spiritual teacher needs to live in solitude. i think that the teacher must live amongst people to understand them better and and realise their problems.
It helps the teacher get a better understanding of what is happening all around.

 

[irahat]

The spiritual teacher has the power to help us encourage the positive forces and neutralize the negative forces and guide us to where all dualities are resolved.

 

[Dirk]

where all dualities are resolved.

I would hate to have everyone agree with me. I like having a perspective that allows me to see things differently from a lot of people.

 

[prasanth5]

I don't think that a spiritual teacher needs to live in solitude. i think that the teacher must live amongst people to understand them better and and realise their problems.
It helps the teacher get a better understanding of what is happening all around.

In fact Swami Vivekananda was advised by his mentor Sri Ramakrishna to live in the midst of people and not to disappear into the woods.