Seeking the Wise

One of the challenges of life is to find wise people, mature, open, and willing to be a spiritual mentor.

It is difficult to walk a spiritual path alone, and there are those whose company on that path is helpful, and those whose company is not so helpful.

In India, where I grew up, it is commonplace for people to go to spiritual teachers, or gurus as they are called there, seeking wisdom and help on the spiritual path, and people who can be wise companions for them on that journey. Here in the United States, it is not so commonplace and therefore not easy to find a wise spiritual mentor. Still, they are out there, and watchful prayer and longing will often lead one to come across just the right wise teacher and companion at just the right time. I hope that is true for you.

Chapter six of the Dhammapada has this to say on the subject:

If you see someone wise, who can steer you away from the wrong path,

follow that person as you would one who can reveal hidden treasures.

Only good can come out of it.

Let them admonish or instruct or restrain you from what is wrong.

They will be loved by those who love good, and disliked by those who do not.

Make friends with those who are good and true, not with those who are bad and false.

To follow the dharma (Wise Teachings of the Way of Life) reevealed by the noble ones

is to live in joy with a serene mind.

As irrigators lead water where they want,

as archers make their arrows straight,

as carpenters carve wood,

the wise shape their minds.

As a solid rock cannot be moved by the wind,

the wise are not shaken by praise or blame.

When they listen to the words of the dharma,

their minds become calm and clear like the waters of a still lake.

Good people keep on walking the Way whatever happens.

They do not speak vain words and are the same in good fortune and bad.

If one desires neither children nor wealth nor power nor success

by unfair and unworthy means and motives,

know such a one to be good, wise, and virtuous.

Few are those who reach the other shore.

Most people keep running up and down this shore.

But those who follow the dharma, when it has been well taught,

will reach the other shore, beyond the reach of suffering and death.

They leave darkness behind and follow the light.

Calling nothing their own, they purify their hearts, and rejoice.

Their senses and mind disciplined and free of attachments and cravings

they live in freedom, full of light.