New Moon Teaching Four
Water seeks its own level. Who and what you mingle with in life affects who you are and what you will achieve.
“Seek out a mentor who can help, pulling you upward towards your true potential!”
A skilful mentor can help clear away the pollution of conditioning. We need to become aware of who we are and why we are the way we are? In many cases this is due to conditioning. Our environment and the five passions of the mind can and will manipulate our consciousness.
The mentor performs the function of an outer perspective and facilitates the release from our own entanglements. There is a common thread through history of human beings ignoring this simple directive to their own detriment. It is possible to believe one has achieved mastery of the mind and liberation from the five passions alone. Only later, to discover we were locked into a way of life that is unconsciously supported by ego and our past. Our mind can be incredibly deceptive!
Healthy inter-dependence is important for all living beings. Inter-dependence is a natural development: dependence; independence; inter-dependence; maturity; autonomy. Maturity comes from relationships, which naturally facilitate ‘autonomy’. Autonomy leads to freedom.
The unhealthy inter-dependence, we refer here to as ‘collusion’. Collusion can bring short-term gains, however long-term it creates limitations. Progress follows when we posses the clarity to differentiate what is beneficial to personal development and what is merely fuelling the fire of collusion.
Choose the path of autonomy. We all need help! Other perspectives and the wisdom of our ancestors act as guides on our path to our true nature. It is also important to understand that whatever path you take, trust in your way as the best for you, but know there are many ways. Be wary of teachers and methods that claim only one ‘real’ way.
It is imperative to enlist the support and seek the company of those who will assist in the evolutionary process of spiritual development. Oftentimes, we find that we can see others more clearly than we can see ourselves. By the same token, others can see in us problems that have eluded our attention. The best travel companions in your journey are the ones who have your back, just as you have theirs. Value your connection with them, cherish your conversations with them. None of us can do it alone. Together, we can do anything.
“A true friend does not collude with you. A true friend will not hesitate to challenge you and in so doing, extol the virtue of honesty with humility. There is nothing to fear when honesty is the foundation and humility the action by which one walks the path.”
