Guidelines for Seekers in Need
Have you thought about how you are going to approach a Spiritual Consultant when you find the right one for you?
I read this article, about how to find the right advisor for you:
spiritualityhealth.com/articles/2020/11/09/how-to-find-a-spiritual-advisor
It got me thinking, what advice would I give to someone, or to myself, around seeking spiritual guidance?
- Never connect with someone who begins with a sad or tragic story: If your potential mentor uses scare tactics or manipulations, navigate away.
- Always follow the heart-centred connection, or the intuitive centre that speaks most honestly to you, be that logic or groundedness, inner quiet and peace, or whichever.
- Go with what you are already called toward. If someone has advice on where else you should be going for their own purposes, of status or material gain, stay on your own path and find the person to possibly even go deeper with, unless it is really something you are uncertain of and are looking for ways out already. Some groups and gurus can be sketchy, most are genuine and sincere if you are.
- Ask them as if it is a job interview or a speed-dating session, but keep it professional. You are hiring them for your staff, essentially. Act like it is a mutually beneficial business transaction and get their references and credentials.
- Share a non-vulnerable story of yours during the consult and see what response you get. Is it relevant to your path or progress? Go with the person or group of people (even if they don't know each other) who advise you holistically and allow you room to do your own work through your process of spiritual growth and unfolding.
- If you just wanted a tarot card reading for cheap, make that clear - don't assume the person will invest in you if you are only looking for a quick bit of advisory service. This will be in your favour if you ever return to the practitioner. Mutual respect is cultivated.
- Don't ask bizarre questions trying to see what they will come out with for entertainment purposes, don't prank call, don't test the waters, lest you tarnish your own reputation in the spiritual community.
Here are some more resources about conducting an informational interview with a spiritual advisor.
To approach the interview as though you are interested in a career in the field;
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/information-interviews
To approach the interview as though you are an academic researcher; (see sidebar for more advice)
crcc.usc.edu/report/studying-faith-qualitative-methodologies-for-studying-religious-communities/whom-should-i-interview/