Rob Field, CSW Director
No one I know lives in a fortress with a moat, a drawbridge, or guards decked out in full armor. But on TV and in the movies, a classic scene from medieval Europe might depict someone visiting a castle or walled city with these very features. Invariably, the interloper is stopped and someone yells out, “Who goes there? Declare yourself!”
Today, the only time I face a similar situation is when I visit someone who lives in a gated community and I’m stopped at the entrance. Typically, I’m waved through after presenting a scannable pass or my driver’s license. Problem solved.
It’s one thing to present an acceptable credential at a guard house, but quite another to explain clearly and succinctly who you are and where you’re coming from. Who I am and who you are matters deeply. We have complex stories and personal histories that influence how we show up in the world.
The same is true with religion and spirituality. One variety may be significantly different than another, with radically different prescriptions for the best way to live your life. What I’m trying to say is that lineage matters. The digital marketplace and social media have created a virtual free-for-all, so it’s critically important to know where an individual or group is coming from. “Who goes there?” isn’t just a medieval-era question.
As the Center nears its 10th anniversary, those of us in leadership are reflecting on the organization’s history and identity. We are a practice-based inter-spirituality center grounded in the Perennial Tradition (a Google search of the latter can tell you more). We offer programs for all seekers that are grounded in the mystical and contemplative dimensions of the world’s enduring spiritual traditions (ie, those with an identifiable history and lineage). We are interfaith and independent, not affiliated with any single religious or spiritual tradition.
We know we’re not the only game in town. Spiritually-minded teachers are a growth industry these days. Here, then, are some questions you might want to ask a teacher, mentor, guru, or spirituality center if you’re looking into them or something they offer:
- Is your work based on a religious or spiritual (or philosophical or psychological) lineage? If so, please name and describe it for me. (Example: if someone says yoga, ask them the specific type of yoga they teach and its origins. What kind of training did this person receive?)
- What are your core values and guiding principles?
- Are you accountable to anyone in regard to your work? Do you have a supervisor or staff or board who oversees what you do?
You have a soul, which means you are intimately connected to the divine, even when you’re not aware of it. I believe your soul deserves to have the best possible guidance in regard to spiritual teachings and practices. We at CSW are declaring ourselves anew on the occasion of our 10th anniversary. We’d love to see other spiritually-minded teachers and organizations do the same.
above photo: Château de Saint Germain de Livet, Normandy, France
(photo from 2018, courtesy of Paul Fowler)