How to find the real deal spirituals in the ever growing sea of pop-culture practitioners and intern

Yesterday, on the inter webs, there was a clear theme in my social media feeds, funny how that happens, see my post about selective awareness here, regarding the trend of over night spiritually enlightened personalities and priests.

It seems everyone is a high priestess, shaman, enlightened being or intuitive healer and everyone is a child of Oshun and Shango. Even mainstream celebs (read Beyonce and family) are jumping on the trend. All of a sudden the Knowles ladies are all daughters of Oshun and Beyonce is carrying the Twin children by her husband Jay-Z (The personification of Shango).

The funny thing is for us who have read the stories, seeing Beyonce proudly pose as Oshun carrying the twins, is somewhat amusing and a little unnerving. As the story goes Oshun is a lousy mother and the father of the children has another wife, so she gives her Twins away to her mother Yemaya to raise. Hopefully by the time her twins are born Beyonce has jumped on another trend and moved on.

The point of that anecdote was, it is easy to get the watered down popular part of the story when it comes to these old spiritual practices, be it Buddhism, Orisha worship, Vodou, Wicka or Shamanism. But to get to the real deal requires a whole lot more than a few internet searches.

Most 'new' age which are actually old age practices popularized have been honed and fine tuned over several 100s and 1000s of years. Handed down from generation to generation through bloodlines of specially tuned people. Trained for over life times and headed/taught only by the select few as priests ,gurus, shamans or witches.

The general population may have practiced under the laws and rules and used the healing herbs and rituals as prescribed. But only those selected by special means and that had undergone rigorous training, dangerous tests and met with their own death were ready to serve the people as their advisers. But not before many of them had tried to walk away from it or worse been driven crazy by the spirits calling them to take on the task.

The path of a spiritual healer/shaman/priest is not a light filled one with fun and games. It is very serious and requires careful training. Likewise the Guru have spent much time in study and contemplation to achieve the status of a wise one.

But then here we are 2017, and the world seems is full of newly self appointed spiritual leaders and intuitive experts. Each of them promising to solve all your problems if you simply follow their 10 steps to happiness lists of requirements.

On the list likely are things like (as pointed out in this instagram post by @awakenededconsciousness) veganism, yoga, Himalayan salt lamps and of course a pinch of extraterrestrial DNA proven by Rh negative blood and some spare ribs. And woe is (s)he who does not have all of the above. You couldn't possibly be enlightened without them.

Similarly for the African centered beliefs, everyone is a priest that will perform special rituals for 1000s of dollars to remove evil spirits and ensure your continued health and happiness. But no matter how much you pay and how many rituals there is always another something that needs to be done for you, for a price of course.

The problem with these are that, they are based on some of the truth. But the people who are claiming that they are your Guru or spiritual leader are as lost as you are when it comes to the real connection and knowledge of these practices and their purpose. They are simply rehashing someone else old memes and wise words without having gone through any sort of inquiry them selves. Or they are worse, con men and women out to get some easy cash/donations from unsuspecting devotees. And the result is a sort of pseudo Christian version of these Spiritual systems where play on your guilt and fear of failure is what is keeping you hooked and following.

Post after post of 'a true awakened being does this', 'If you eat meat your vibration such and such', 'The Buddha said do this' , you must be that or else you will etc etc (See my post about the 'postive internet here). And most people follow this, adore these leaders and become dependent on their advice to feel like their spiritual journey is advancing. Sometimes with lots of money attached in form of items to buy that have been blessed by, formulated by or otherwise endorsed by the beloved exalted one who seem to have transcended all human needs and emotions and now live on a plane on their own. Way up on high where you are not ready yet to reach.

However, when questioned in their authority these exalted beings quickly become very basic ravenous dogs. Having internet feuds worse than any reality TV shows. Ripping each-other and anyone else who dares to question them apart to prove their spirituality is the best.

When you really pay attention you also notice that they never really address the actual original question but rather stoop down to 'under the belt' jabs in an attempt to discredit their opponent and avoid answering the often simple original question.

On the other end of the spectrum is the peace and love version of the same, that rehashes zen messages over and over and over and when asked how do we achieve these things their answer is simply love and light. There is no deeper discussion, attempt at pointing anyone in the right direction of learning, and never ever is there a single sentence spoken that is their own. Always someone else words of wisdom repeated. But when you finally meet in real life come to find out they don't have it any more together than you are and what is worse they barely practice what they preach.

The problem with all of this is in the middle of all this, are some very real, very deep and profound practices, that are designed to help you, the day to day person navigate your way through your personal life journey.

There are real gurus (teachers), shamans and healers who have been chosen by the path and who's life mission is to help serve you so that you may find happiness and clarity. And the only way to know who is who is the result you get at the end.

But there are a couple of clues that sets the real deal apart from the less than desirable version.

1. Their teaching is designed to set you free, not make you codependent. The goal is to give you the tools you need to become your own wise teacher/healer.

2. You are asked to inquire and study independently.

3. You are never, ever made to feel bad or fearful for your life for not following their particular advice.

4. When asked or questioned about any part of their teaching a personalized response is received, where the teacher/counselor uses their own words to respond. They may also use personal examples or act in accordance with the teaching show you how it is done. Bottom line is they live as they preach and have full understanding of the concept. Enough to be able to put it in to words that might be better received by you than the original.

5. What they sell actually works and only requires your repeated service where it makes sense. For instance situational divination, where different periods of your life require new insights. Or chronic long-term illness that require stages of healing ritual and remedies to cure. Or mental affliction with several layers to work through.

Ultimately the most important thing you should come away with after dealing with your spiritual counselor/healer/guru is a sense of well being that extend beyond the few minutes spent with them. You should feel that you have gained new knowledge and insight and at least in part that your questions and concerns have been addressed and have a solution other than come back again.

They might not always tell you what you want to hear, but they will most certainly always tell you what you need. Even the ones teaching peace and love will not beat around the bush if there is something that you need to do to get out of yourself.

Most importantly always trust your own instincts. Someone that works for one might not work for you. As with anything your journey is personal to you. Only you can decide what is good for you in the end. So go with what makes sense to you always.

Love and abundance!

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