Along the way of my spiritual journey I fell in love with several of my teachers, male and female. Deeply in love, feeling a tremendous power and longing to be with them. As if I could climb the highest mountain just to be in his or her proximity.

I remember a moment, not so long ago... I’d scheduled an online call with my teacher (Hareesh Christopher Wallis). I was cycling my way home to meet him on Zoom; feeling happy and excited. And then he sent me a message: “can you meet me earlier? There are some unexpected things here that I need to take care of”.

At that moment I just knew that I didn’t want to miss him; being with him seemed the only important thing in my life. A few nights before that specific moment I was having a dream about me being his consort, accompanying him in every place where he was teaching and I sensed a heartfelt yearning to share my dream with him. So I cycled my lungs out to be home in time.

At the same time knowing that my love for him was symbolic of something different than a regular human ‘being in love’ situation. I compassionately smiled at myself and made it home in time ;)

Being a teacher, I also come across students who adore me, who want to be my friend or my lover. And since I’m not an enlightened being, my ego definitely is served.

At the same time it causes a sense of alertness in me….these situations ask for compassion and care. It’s so easy to misuse the adoration of students for your own small self and dependency might lie in wait.

So what is happening here? Why do many students fall in love with their spiritual teachers?

Actually, by falling in love with your teacher you fall in love with yourself.

You fall in love with the qualities of freedom, love and openness your teacher embodies and you believe that the only way of experiencing these beautiful qualities, is by being close to the teacher. Therefore it’s quite understandable that you feel the need to be in his or her company.

And hey, let’s be honest, a person living from one’s truth and openness is incredibly beautiful and attractive. That in itself is always cause for inspiration, celebration and connection.

But what you’re unaware of or simply forget is that your own natural state is love, openness and freedom too. You’re equally beautiful, just by being you.

So your teacher is mirroring your own divinity and triggers your longing to be free. You fall in love with the god or goddess that you are.

falling in love with the teacher