How to know when it is time to move on from a spiritual teacher

 

Image: Ram Dass and Chogyam Trungpa

Here are some indications:

    • Lack of Personal Growth

If you feel you are no longer learning or growing under the guidance of your current teacher and what they say no longer helps, this might indicate that you've outgrown the teachings or that the methods are no longer effective for you.


    • Misalignment of Values or Beliefs

Sometimes, as you evolve, your values, beliefs, or the direction of your spiritual journey might diverge from those of your teacher. If this happens, it might also be time to seek guidance elsewhere.
      
    • Ethical Concerns

If you witness or experience unethical behaviour, such as manipulation, exploitation, or abuse (emotional, financial, or physical), this is a clear sign to reassess your relationship with the teacher. Spiritual guidance should never harm or exploit. This can take many forms. You might want to look up the history of Chogyam Trungpa or any teacher who uses ‘crazy wisdom,’ for example.
      
    • Lack of Trust or Respect

Trust and respect are the basics for a good teacher-student relationship. If either of these diminishes due to the actions or teachings of the teacher, it might be time to move on.
      
    • Internal Guidance

Sometimes, an intuitive feeling or inner guidance suggests that your path lies elsewhere – perhaps a possible new direction keeps popping up in your life in various guises. This can be subtle or profound, and is worth considering if it persists.
      
    • Teacher’s Recognition

Some teachers recognise when a student has outgrown their teachings and might encourage or suggest that the student seeks further guidance or explores other paths.

If you are at a point where you are considering moving on:

    • Reflect or meditate on your reasons.
    • Discuss what’s going on in you with trusted peers or mentors outside your current spiritual circle, and
    • Listen to your inner wisdom.

 It’s worth bearing in mind that, for many people, spiritual growth happens over time (rather than the instantaneous flash of awakening that happens for some), but not smoothly – there can be plateaux, or times of inner consolidation, when nothing seems to be happening, and other times when there is rapid change. Check that you are not thinking of moving on simply because you are in such a plateau.

And moving on doesn't necessarily mean the teachings or time with your current teacher weren’t beneficial. Often (usually?), it's just a sign of progression in one's spiritual journey. The path of spiritual growth is often winding, and different teachers or teachings might serve you at different stages of your life.

Finally, you might want to entertain the possibility that you are already enlightened and don’t need a teacher, but just haven’t realised it yet… I’ve made reference to this possibility in one or two previous blogs such as https://herethewaking.blogspot.com/2024/02/mirror-for-soul-measuring-awakening.html and an author I’ve recently come across who might be able to help you with this is Harri Aalto.


Sources

Showler, S. (2020). Crazy Wisdom: A Love Story. Retrieved from https://hazlitt.net/longreads/crazy-wisdom-love-story

Key words

awakening, enlightenment, growth, realisation, realization, spiritual teacher,

Link

https://herethewaking.blogspot.com/2025/02/how-to-know-when-it-is-time-to-move-on.html

Location: Great Malvern, Malvern WR14, UK

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