We learn from example. Humans need to be trained and are easy to train. Children thrive under proper guidance and we all want our kids to attend the best schools possible. It's natural.
Similarly on the path of Transcendence, or liberation of consciousness, or yoga, one is recommended to accept some sort of training under a teacher to really master it yourself.
That said, the teacher can only show you what they themselves know, and you may have a capacity for more. Nevertheless any sports or martial artist will agree that having a good mentor helps.
Volumes of Sanskrit texts exist, such as Bhagavat Purana, that tell of ancient pastimes where numerous wise and saintly people existed as teachers for everyone, including kings.
Even kings would call upon wise saintly monks and yogis to receive instruction and guidance. And it's the same for any of us. We should seek proper instruction regarding the finer more subtle issues of life, like liberation and Transcendence and consciousness itself.
Much may be lost in translation or interpretation today, despite volumes of books on the subject. Still, if we're sincere, then externally as well as internally the guidance will be available.
Sometimes there are imposters and snake oil salesmen, and we may be cheated on the way, obliging us to learn lessons about the human condition.
The wise learn from other people's mistakes, the fool repeatedly makes the same mistakes despite good instruction. And so the teacher can be seen everywhere when one considers oneself still a student of life.
This kind of humility is a symptom of true wisdom and awareness, and is one of the required qualities to cultivate if one wishes to make progress in the path of liberation, consciousness awakening and all the magic that accompanies that.
It's only when one is truly receptive that one can hear and absorb the information when it's provided. It pays to remain hungry throughout life for knowledge and self betterment. Especially since so much knowledge is being put within our reach visa modern tech and translation of ancient Wisdom.
Bhagavad Gita ch4:16
kiṁ karma kim akarmeti
kavayo 'py atra mohitāḥ
tat te karma pravakṣyāmi
yaj jñātvā mokṣyase 'śubhāt
SYNONYMS
kim—what is; karma—action; kim—what is; akarma—inaction; iti—thus; kavayaḥ—the intelligent; api—also; atra—in this matter; mohitāḥ—bewildered; tat—that; te—unto you; karma—work; pravakṣyāmi—I shall explain; yat—which; jñātvā—knowing; mokṣyase—be liberated; aśubhāt—from ill fortune
TRANSLATION
Even the intelligent are bewildered in determining what is action and what is inaction. Now I shall explain to you what action is, knowing which you shall be liberated from all sins.
PURPORT
Action in Kṛṣṇa consciousness has to be executed in accord with the examples of previous bona fide devotees. This is recommended in the 15th verse. Why such action should not be independant will be explained in the text to follow.
To act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one has to follow the leadership of authorized persons who are in a line of disciplic succession as explained in the beginning of this chapter. The system of Kṛṣṇa consciousness was first narrated to the sun-god, the sun-god explained it to his son Manu, Manu explained it to his son Ikṣvāku, and the system is current on this earth from that very remote time. Therefore, one has to follow in the footsteps of previous authorities in the line of disciplic succession. Otherwise even the most intelligent men will be bewildered regarding the standard actions of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. For this reason, the Lord decided to instruct Arjuna in Kṛṣṇa consciousness directly. Because of the direct instruction of the Lord to Arjuna, anyone who follows in the footsteps of Arjuna is certainly not bewildered.
It is said that one cannot ascertain the ways of religion simply by imperfect experimental knowledge. Actually, the principles of religion can only be laid down by the Lord Himself. Dharmaṁ hi sākṣāt-bhagavat-praṇītam. No one can manufacture a religious principle by imperfect speculation. One must follow in the footsteps of great authorities like Brahmā, Śiva, Nārada, Manu, Kumāra, Kapila, Prahlāda, Bhīṣma, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, Yamarāja, Janaka, etc. By mental speculation one cannot ascertain what is religion or self-realization. Therefore, out of causeless mercy to His devotees, the Lord explains directly to Arjuna what action is and what inaction is. Only action performed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can deliver a person from the entanglement of material existence.
Reference: Bhagavad Gita As It Is, translation and commentary by Swami A C Bhaktivedanta, original MacMillan 1972 edition, freely available at prabhupadabooks.com.
Edited and published from my mobile device onto the Hive blockchain for students and masters alike.Image: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ai-generated-man-elder-old-old-one-8560904/
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