Many have merely heard of snow but have not seen it. So, many "spiritual teachers" have only read about God in books, but have not realized God in their lives.
Many may have seen snow but have not tasted it. So, many "spiritual teachers" have glimpsed the Divine Glory, but have not understood its real essence.
One who has tasted snow can say what it is like. One who has communed with God in different aspects, now as a servant, now as a friend, now as a lover, now absorbed in God, that one alone can talk knowledgably of the essence of God.
Notes:
Joseph Campbell makes a distinction between the "priest," a social functionary who has been trained to perform his role, and the "shaman," who mediates a direct experience with God.
All teachers, Ramakrishna says, should be shamans.
And they should know God in many aspects. Some say that Hinduism teaches five kinds of love for God, allueded to in this saying:
- servant for master
- friend for friend
- parent for child (not child for parent!)
- spouse for spouse
- illicit love, the highest of all, that throws away everything for love.
One who loves God in all these ways is ready to teach.
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