Page 155 - Soul's Divine Journey

The MasTer responds To seeker InquIrIes 13

diet. alcohol, drugs, and tobacco are staunchly forbidden.
Celibacy is required outside of marriage. and most of the
major paths assume that the disciples will donate at least
ten percent of their total income to the path. I say all of
this very respectfully, and there is absolutely no put-down
being conveyed. and similarly, if a student from a very
traditional environment in the east came here to the West
and took up the path here, he or she would experience these
types of culture-based difficulties as well. It is not abso-
lutely necessary to be taught or initiated by a Master from
the same cultural background as your own, but many stu-
dents find it to be simply more harmonious.
There are tremendous advantages for a Westerner
having a Western Master. If your chosen Master has the
same cultural background as you do, he will have had
many similar experiences to your own. he will have had
the same good times, as well as the hard times, and he will
more easily be able to assist you in unraveling many of the
cultural influences and impressions that you have been
stamped with. no sat guru can alter or change the Teach-
ings, but each one is responsible for establishing current
policies within the particular culture they are serving. My
concern is not what will appeal to the people in the West,
but which policies, requirements, and spiritual disciplines
will most harmoniously benefit those students who are
living in this culture.
Therefore, I simply ask my students to engage in
their spiritual practice for approximately twenty to thirty
minutes a day, and I ask that they practice the presence of
the Master as they go through their daily lives. I have seen
far too many students who have attempted the two and one-
half hour practice recommended by most eastern light
and sound Masters, and they are guilt-ridden because of
their inability to adhere to this discipline. I feel the shorter