25/02/2026
I have pondered the question - What makes a good spiritual teacher? - for the last few days.
There has been so many comments on the current energy around Epstein and his list and the people who are caught up in that. So many people weighing in, having an opinion. I have tried to avoid going there, because I feel that delving into that sort of energy is not where I want to put myself. In saying that, I have seen names pop up that have been huge in the spiritual world. People who have been admired and followed in large numbers. People who have been put upon a spiritual pedestal that have tumbled greatly, leaving their followers shattered in their beliefs. I often wondered why Doreen Virtue left the spiritual realm and became a hard core Christian. She obviously saw things that we haven't. She has been privy to a deeper aspect of this than we have ever considered. And now I understand why.
It has been disheartening. But then, I feel that the spiritual world has been compromised somewhat. There are so many people out in the lands of Facebook and Instagram that have become over night Gurus. People have taken courses and then landed themselves into teaching roles. And not to discount those that have life experience and have brought their knowledge to healing spaces, but we also have those who have completely monetised healing for their own "glory".
What makes a spiritual healer or teacher a person that we can rely on? Or at least, who we can go to for what we need? It becomes a very grey area when we are only given a couple of flowery ads, a promise to be completely "immersed" in the experience and a large dint in our pockets from the cost of being "more".
A spiritual healer or teacher is someone who comes through with integrity. They honour their own process and experiences, and also honour yours. They provide a safe space to be all that you need to be. To work through not just the heart space, but the grief, the sorrow, the anger and the shadows.
When we heal, we go through a process of release. This release must be acknowledged and worked through, not bypassed. When we have a true spiritual healer or teacher we have someone who holds us in that integration. Who shows humility and support as we do the inner work ourselves. We cannot be healer by others, we can be held in the process of our own healing. We are the ones who are holding our experiences in our bodies, our minds and our hearts. It is our process that we work through, the teacher or healer brings their lived experiences to the space so that they can guide you through the process.
It is ok to read books and listen to podcasts and see people on stage and have ah-ha moments. To resonate with what someone says. To be immersed mentally into the information that you are being given. And it is ok to not be. It is ok not to resonate. It is ok to feel that something is a little off. It is ok to trust what your gut says.
In a world where things are glittery and illusional, we are asked to use our own discernment. Trust what you feel. Trust who feels right. If the price is exorbitant, it is ok to question if it is legitimate. Spiritual healing and spiritual learning shouldn't cost the earth. It is the passing on of wisdom. As a teacher there should be an element of honour in teaching others what you know. What you have learned. It should be offered from a heart centered space. Monetising this gift can taint the outcome for people. It can transcend the healing realm and bring us into the the guru or pedestal belief. And I for one think that we need to bring things back to a bit more of an honest system. Of course we should pay for the time of an individual, that goes without saying. To cover the cost of outgoings, absolutely. But to also be transparent. Let people know what they are actually paying for.
In a time when there is so much unknown, so much disbelief, so much hurt, it is ok to step back and return to something more simple and wholesome. It is ok to let go of the things that you may have held onto in the hope that something was going to save you. Or that someone knew better or more or had a bigger impact. Don't lose yourself in the process of others. Be open to receiving help from those that offer it from a heart space with integrity. Be open to discuss things with people who stand in front of you as a teacher and ask for honesty. After all, we are all human beings living in this life doing the best we can. Even our teachers aren't infallible to making the wrong choices and doing the wrong thing. But it is about accountability and honesty. If someone is working from a space of integrity, it can only be a good thing for us.
