MasterPath: Learning to Trust – The Master/Student Relationship
When spiritual seekers arrive at the door of a true and genuine Master, they have generally been deceived and exploited wherever they have placed their trust. All the institutions and relationships have failed to deliver on the promise of love and contentment, and the natural question that arises from the most sincere of seekers, even one who is willing to accept the idea of the need for a teacher or master, is this: “How do I know that this Master is genuine or real?” Prior to any direct experience, you don’t know, though you can investigate and find out for yourself. Sri Gary Olsen, as a genuine Master of the Light and Sound Teachings and founder of MasterPath, intimately understands this dilemma and recommends to all aspirants the method of investigation called “provisional faith.”
Provisional faith is the process of sincerely investigating a spiritual path prior to making a commitment to that particular teacher or path. The student is asked to keep constructive doubts and skepticism intact, rather than ignore them or blindly surrender to the Master. Doubt and healthy skepticism are natural, good, and wise; spiritual investigation, like scientific investigation, can proceed even in the presence of uncertainty. The student is simply asked to try the suggested spiritual practices recommended in the MasterPath materials. Then, in short time, one can see for oneself whether or not their consciousness is expanding and spiritual growth is occurring. Providing this is happening, the student can then place an increased trust or faith in one’s teacher. Trust is now provisional, not blind. Results should be seen and experienced before greater trust can be given. In this way, the teacher/student bond can naturally grow in strength, depth, and in love. The Master must earn a student’s trust. Of course the reverse is also true: A student must earn the Master’s trust and demonstrate that one’s sincerity is genuine.
An authentic Sat Guru (meaning true Guru, and authentic Master of the Light and Sound) is the most trustworthy of beings. A true Master’s love for His students is greater than the love or hate the student has for one’s own mind, emotions, and ego. The bond that is formed between a true Master and a sincere seeker of truth produces a synergy that culminates in the fulfillment of the spiritual dream – spiritual liberation and joyous freedom. The Sat Guru’s hand is ours for the taking. It reaches out to all regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, past karma, or present pains or insecurities. MasterPath is for those souls who simply want to go Home, to return to the state of original purity (not original sin) from which soul descended. Soul’s true Home, or reality, is one of spiritual liberation here and now – a state where soul is not manipulated by its karma, and is free to choose its state of consciousness in any moment. The Master’s only reason to win the trust of the student is to lead each one, step by step, into spiritual liberation and true freedom.
The Sat Guru is literally a gift from the Divine Spirit to aid in our liberation. These souls of quintessential qualifications stand ready to assist, love, and uplift those who sincerely want spiritual liberation and recognize the need for the divine guidance a true Master provides. Sincerity of intention – a true, deep, and earnest desire to transcend one’s own mind, emotions, and ego – is really the only requirement for entering this spiritual Path. Given the combination of a sincere seeker and a true Master, trust in the Master can deepen into firm belief in one’s own self as a divine being, and eventually flower into knowingness and certainty.
For more information about MasterPath, the Divine Teachings of Light and Sound, please visit the Official MasterPath site.