If you’ve been studying spirituality for years, you’ve probably noticed that most spiritual teachers seem to contradict each other. There are two main subjects where these contradictions take place: the first topic is the spiritual teachings themselves, which concern non-duality; the second topic is the spiritual practices that are recommended. Often, a spiritual teacher tends to recommend a specific spiritual practice and belittle all the others. In this article, I will explain why these contradictions occur and how to approach them in the world of spirituality. Let’s start by analyzing the first category of contradictions.
Spiritual Teachers and the Contradictions about Spiritual Teachings
To understand why many spiritual teachers contradict each other regarding the content of spiritual teachings, it’s necessary to debunk the most common myth about spiritual enlightenment: that it consists of a single realization. In reality, it’s absolutely not like that. The event that is usually called spiritual enlightenment refers to the loss of personal identity; however, the loss of personal identity is not the end of the inner search.
Beyond the recognition of the non-existence of a separate self, countless deeper realizations await that lead to the full maturation of spiritual enlightenment. When a teacher’s journey stops at the dissolution of conceptual identity without exploring further depths, they inevitably cannot convey truths that transcend their personal experience. This limitation creates natural contradictions with other teachers who have ventured further to explore profound dimensions such as divine love, divine intelligence, or divine beauty.
The teachings of someone who has only reached the realization of no-self remain valuable in their own right—especially for beginners or those who haven’t yet glimpsed this fundamental truth. Yet these teachings represent merely one stage on a larger journey. More advanced teachings exist that venture far beyond this initial revelation. Understanding this hierarchical nature of spiritual awakening—that enlightenment unfolds as a series of progressively deeper realizations rather than a single event—is essential to making sense of why spiritual teachers so often seem to contradict one another.
Spiritual Enlightenment as the Climbing of a Mountain
Imagine spiritual enlightenment as climbing a mountain. Some teachers begin sharing their insights before reaching the summit—their guidance is invaluable for those who haven’t yet recognized the mountain exists. However, when a teacher halts their own ascent, their wisdom becomes limited to that specific elevation. To continue toward the peak, you must eventually transcend their teachings and seek guidance from those who have ventured higher up the path, whose perspective encompasses greater horizons and deeper understandings.
Therefore, it’s very important not to identify oneself with a spiritual teacher. It’s crucial to be able to learn everything a teacher has to teach you, and as soon as you understand that you have learned everything there was to learn from a particular teacher, let go of your identification with this teacher and take the next step that will help you reach deeper realizations. I often see the tendency in many seekers to be unwilling to let go of their identifications with a specific teacher. This resistance is perfectly human—constantly questioning one’s understanding and acknowledging there’s more to learn requires significant emotional energy. The temptation to declare “I’ve arrived” or “There’s nothing more to learn” offers comforting finality, but ultimately limits one’s spiritual evolution.
Within the domains of spirituality, enlightenment, and non-duality lie truths of extraordinary depth and profundity waiting to be discovered. To halt one’s journey after only glimpsing initial insights would be like abandoning an expedition having barely crossed the threshold of a vast, uncharted territory.
U. G. Krishnamurti and the Importance of Not Identifying with a Spiritual Teacher
I’ll give you the example of U. G. Krishnamurti: he’s a spiritual teacher who has understood the non-existence of a separate self. In his writings and in his work, you can see the reflection of this understanding; however, in Krishnamurti’s work, there are dozens of higher understandings that are missing.
And I invite you to note that if, reading this statement, you’ve felt angry, or you’ve felt somehow offended, it’s precisely because you are identified with the figure and teachings of Krishnamurti. But if you want to realize much deeper truths than those Krishnamurti realized, you have to be willing to let go of the figure of Krishnamurti, even though his teachings are useful up to a certain stage.
The deepest truths a spiritual teacher can share involve recognizing the divine and understanding how it’s inseparable from love, perfection, intelligence, timelessness, and beauty. When teachers don’t communicate these insights—particularly if they seem resentful toward reality—it suggests their own spiritual development remains incomplete. To discover the fullest understanding possible in non-duality, you need to move beyond these limited perspectives and explore much deeper levels of awareness.
Spiritual Teachers and the Contradictions about Spiritual Practices
The second major area where spiritual teachers contradict each other involves recommended practices for achieving enlightenment. Teachers naturally advocate for the methods that worked for them personally, often dismissing alternative approaches in the process.
Let me share a practical example: Recently, I watched a video by Peter Ralston, a teacher I deeply respect. I’ve read many of his books and find his insights genuinely transformative. While Ralston promotes contemplation as his preferred spiritual practice, in this video he dismissed yoga, joking that “stretching” couldn’t lead to enlightenment. This comment reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of yoga. While commercial yoga might be reduced to physical stretching, profound practices like Kriya Yoga involve much more than physical postures.
This illustrates why you should question claims from teachers who dismiss other spiritual practices in favor of their own. Most teachers haven’t thoroughly explored the full spectrum of spiritual disciplines. Even highly respected teachers like Ralston can misjudge practices outside their experience.
Spiritual Teachers Tend to Teach Only the Practice That Led Them to Enlightenment
Teachers naturally recommend what worked for them personally. Ramana Maharshi advocates self-inquiry, Nisargadatta Maharaj emphasizes abiding in the “I Am,” Peter Ralston teaches contemplation, and Yogananda promotes Kriya Yoga. Each teacher tends to focus exclusively on their successful path while downplaying alternatives.
Yet each approach clearly offers genuine value. Some students might progress faster through contemplation than Kriya Yoga, while others might experience deeper insights through Kriya Yoga than contemplation. Be skeptical of teachers who criticize practices they’ve likely never seriously explored themselves.
Remember that enlightenment doesn’t confer complete knowledge in all areas. Even when teachers express profound truths consistently, they can still make mistakes—myself included. I actually find it reassuring when respected teachers like Ralston or Gura say something incorrect; it confirms their humanity. No teacher, however advanced, has transcended the possibility of error. Every spiritual guide remains human and occasionally speaks inaccurately.