One of the most extraordinary things about being a spiritual

"One of the most extraordinary things about being a spiritual teacher is the rare privilege of being able to look deeply into the very souls of many human beings at the same time." Thus declared Andrew Cohen, a voice among seekers, a guide for those who walk the inner path. Within this sentence lies a treasure, not only for those who call themselves teachers, but for all who strive to understand the mystery of human hearts. For the act of gazing into the soul is no ordinary act—it is to touch the eternal flame within another, the spark that unites all beings across time and space.

To be a spiritual teacher is not merely to instruct in doctrines or repeat words written by sages of old. It is to become a mirror of truth, reflecting back to others the light of their own hidden divinity. The extraordinary privilege that Cohen speaks of is rare indeed: to stand before many and perceive not their outward forms—their faces, their voices, their garments—but to behold the quiet currents of longing, fear, and hope that flow deep beneath. It is to witness not a crowd of strangers, but a tapestry of souls, each thread glowing with its own destiny, yet woven together into a single garment of humanity.

There is an ancient tale of the Buddha, who, seated before hundreds, did not see them as separate, noisy individuals, but as a field of suffering and awakening. He perceived each one as a flame yearning to be freed from the winds of ignorance. To one, he offered silence; to another, words; to another, only the compassionate gaze of recognition. This is the essence of Cohen’s saying: the true teacher does not divide, but unites; does not judge, but beholds; does not impose, but awakens what already dwells within the soul of the listener.

To look into many souls at once is also a work of humility. For it is easy to see the faults of men, to mock their weakness, to dismiss their doubts. But to gaze into the soul is to perceive the sacred within the fragile, the light hidden in the shadow. The spiritual teacher must carry this burden with reverence, knowing that he has been entrusted with what is most delicate, most eternal. It is not a task for pride, but for devotion, for to mishandle a soul is to wound the very heart of existence.

The origin of Cohen’s words lies not only in his own experience, but in the long lineage of mystics who bore the same calling. From the desert fathers of Christianity to the rishis of India, from Sufi poets to Zen masters, all have testified to this rare privilege: that when one sits in the presence of many, in deep silence, in holy listening, the veil parts, and the teacher sees beyond masks into the eternal essence that binds us all. In such moments, the crowd becomes not many, but one—one breathing body of spirit, one chorus of longing, one garden of souls awaiting rain.

And so the lesson is clear: though few are called to be spiritual teachers in title, all of us may learn to look more deeply. We need not stop at the face or the words of others. We may listen with our hearts, striving to perceive the hidden pain or the quiet beauty in those we meet. For in every glance, in every conversation, lies the chance to honor the soul of another. This is the practice of compassion, the path of reverence, the way of true seeing.

Therefore, dear listener, let Cohen’s words not remain distant, as though they were meant only for saints and masters. Take them into your own life. When you sit among family, among friends, among strangers, try to look beyond the surface. Ask not only, “What are they saying?” but also, “What is their soul crying out for?” Let your eyes become gentle, your ears patient, your heart discerning. In this way, you too may share in the extraordinary privilege of seeing into the soul of humanity, and in that vision, you will find not only others, but also yourself.

For to look into another’s soul is to remember that all souls are one. And this is the highest teaching: that we are not separate flames, but sparks of the same fire, destined to burn together in the eternal light.