Teachers and Gods
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Nick Farrell - AUTHOR - Articles
Teachers and Gods
It is a common mistake in the mysteries for people to turn their teachers into gods, it is made all the more easier because of the weakness of some esoteric teachers and their tendency to encourage this sort of thing. Some actively try and cultivate an aura of authority and sageness, which if challenged results in the student being dismissed.
I have had a lot to do with a number of the big names in the occult field, none of them were gods and all of them had huge areas of their lives in which they would be the first to admit they failed. History is proving kinder to some of them then it ought to be in my view.
People do have their good and bad points. Occultism does not make this better it simply gives them a way of transmuting some of the sides of themselves that need to be changed.
Davies was advanced when it came to social justice, liberal when it came to sexuality and both these things were a core to her teaching. However, like many in a position of power, she did sleep with some of her students and did place favourites in positions of authority. She also failed to develop a system that enabled for BOTA to grow after her death, and thus bought its life to an end.
Chesterman worshipped Davies, something that continued after her death to the point that he believed that she had provided all the teaching the group ever needed. In this, as in many things, he failed too. He did managed to keep BOTA running for a long time (which is no mean feat) although in my experience this was by exercising an autocratic control and having strong views that could not be tempered by anyone.
Now the question is do I have the right to question the lives of the people who have taught me? Over the years I have come to the conclusion that the morals of other people are not mine to question until it interferes with my own spiritual direction or harms another. I always have the option to leave or challenge the teacher.
Once they are dead, and their lives can be reviewed, then I should be allowed to make my own assessment based on the impact of their work on my life. Sometimes a personality flaw can be so overpowering that it destroys much of the good work a person may have performed. Crowley is one example. In my life there have been two other teachers who have had similar problems.
When someone questions the mask that penetrates a teacher, or indeed any historical or religious figure, it is an opportunity to see that person in a new light – certainly one that is more human. The information might be negative, but if their words moved you why should that make a difference? Why do they need to be defended?
The most important thing in occultism is to ask questions and to keep on asking them. Question your most basic assumptions and icons and keep testing them. It is only then that you will see the truth staring back at you.
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