How Do You Tell The Mystical “Good Guys” from the “Bad Guys?”

As a person examining spiritual & mystical disciplines, I keep a discriminating eye focused on everything I read & study. Mystical knowledge can be very hazy & uncertain at times, and many charlatans, & misguided or misinformed individuals have been involved.

During the course of astrology readings, I often meet people who have not been thoroughly satisfying the spiritual side of their charts, and I encourage them to investigate any mystical path that appeals to them. But what about guidelines?

I understand & believe everyone creates his or her own reality. Everyone attracts to himself or herself what they concentrate on. Nevertheless, I want people to attract more efficient, less misguided teachers & educational materials. Yes, many paths lead to Buddha, but if the meandering & poorly marked path can be avoided, well… why not?

So the first guide I offer is: Never trust anyone or anything that claims their path is the ONLY one that works. Right off the bat, that is suspicious. Also be a little wary of anyone telling you there is only one way to do something. Many people adapt what they learn to suit their own way of doing things. It is important to try to master the techniques and practices as they are initially taught, but after that, customize to suit your natural strengths. We are all distinct individuals, with our own way of doing things.

Second guideline: Always trust your instinct, your gut feeling. I don’t care how “holy” or deep or spiritual anyone or anything sounds. If you don’t feel comfortable with what someone is saying, don’t do it. Trust yourself first and foremost.

Another guide worth following comes from the New Testament. Matthew 7:15-16 says, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?”

This quote was made extra apparent to me recently, and so was the second guideline, too, about trusting my gut. I attended an astrology lecture featuring an eclectic branch of astrology I was not familiar with. Shortly after the lecture began, I felt myself getting restless and annoyed. As far as I could tell, nothing in the content of the lecture was upsetting to me. The material seemed a little overwrought and I don’t care for that, but so what? This material had been around for over 90 years. Surely it has stood the test of time? When I got home I searched the Internet for more info. And I discovered this “branch” of so-called mystical learning included racism and anti-Semitism in its earliest published writings. OK. That’s all I needed to know. My instincts were right. I trusted them and then did a little research. I am deeply suspicious of any teachings involving basic prejudices.

So, when exploring mystic avenues, trust your gut, and check their track records.
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SPECIAL NOTE
Sunday, September 30th, 2012, from Noon to 6pm, I will be co-hosting another of the ongoing Practical Mysticism Expos here in NYC at One on One Casting, 34 West 27th Street, 11th Floor, NY NY. There will be lectures, a séance/message circle, and available readings from astrologers, psychics, tarot card readers and mediums.

For more info as it becomes available, see www.practicalmysticismexpo.com or join our meetup group at www.meetup.com/Practical-Mysticism-Expo/ for e-mailed updates.
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SECOND SPECIAL NOTE
I have recorded a short 7 minute video chat discussing very basic stuff about astrology, and posted it here at http://youtu.be/kQF-_XgspSQ
It is the first of a few weekly posted videos to promote The Practical Mysticism Expo. The other co-founders will be featured in following weeks.