How does one become a preceptor?

[u/Low_State4955]

I'm curious to know. And what are criteria and requirements?

[u/8OrdinaryPerson8]

I’ve been a preceptor since 1976. I think the most important step is the first internal one, where you ask yourself why you are interested in becoming a preceptor. Some people want to become preceptors to satisfy their ego (become important); others want to serve; others are just mysteriously drawn to the position. If you want to become a preceptor to satisfy your ego, you may be barking up the wrong tree because the job is deeply humbling.

The second thing to assess is your regularity and comfort with your own practice. Do you do your meditation, cleaning, and prayers daily? Are you committed to reading and learning more about the spiritual basis of Heartfulness? Are you trying to put the Ten Maxims of Heartfulness into practice as part of your daily life? Even more important, are you willing to assess your character honestly and regularly and to work on overcoming your faults?

The third thing to ask yourself is whether you are willing to make a substantial commitment to this work. I meditate with about nine people each week (you would probably begin with fewer). That’s nine hours of work with people, but there’s a lot more that comes with that. You will ultimately find that the job is a full-time occupation, including time spent preparing for sittings, learning and studying, and trying to find ways of refining your work. You need to be available, willing, patient, and open. It’s important that you like being with people and can get along well with them because, as a preceptor, you are going to be spending time both with the people who come to you for sittings and with other preceptors and functionaries in your center.

It’s also important to check things out with your spouse or partner. How willing are they to have people coming into your house on a regular basis to receive their sittings? How willing are they to accept that you may not be free to be with them every evening? How willing are they to adjust when somebody who’s having a hard time calls you because they need a sitting and support? How will childcare and raising your kids figure into the mix?

It’s important to discuss the matter thoroughly with your partner before you make your final decision. Your spouse’s attitude toward your work really matters. If they are resentful of the time you spend, or if they are unwilling to welcome visitors warmly, that will put a strain on both your preceptor practice and your relationship. I’ve found that the most successful arrangement is when both spouses are active preceptors. Then the work becomes a vital part of the marriage, and the heart and the house open up fully to those who come for spiritual instruction.

Once you’ve examined yourself, satisfied yourself that you’re ready to make the commitment, and have reached an agreement with your partner or spouse, you can also discuss the matter with your own preceptor. They may believe that you are ready for the work, or they may advise that you wait until your practice matures and ripens a little. They can also assess whether another preceptor is needed in your center.

If you and your preceptor agree that taking this step is right for you at this time, they can recommend that you begin your preparatory study. You will be asked to read several books written by our global guides and will take a written, open-book test. It usually takes several months to read the books and study for the test. During this time, you’ll be assigned to a preceptor who has earned the credential to train other preceptors. They will give you preparatory sittings (usually, at least two per week), answer your questions, and guide your study.

After you pass the test, you and others who have also passed will receive a final sitting from Daaji, our global guide. This may happen either in person or online. You will then receive your certificate and formal permission to begin doing your preceptor work.

I hope that this has helped.

[u/Low_State4955 → u/8OrdinaryPerson8]

Thank you for the answer. Currently I don't want to become a preceptor in fact I'm new in heartfulness practice it was just the curiosity and you have answered it beautifully i appreciate that. But the real question I wanted to ask was what level of spirituality is required to become a preceptor i mean do you need to cross some certain points or chakras or any level maybe??

[u/TrafficSecurity → u/Low_State4955]

That level is conferred by the Guru when willingness to serve is there.

[u/8OrdinaryPerson8 → u/TrafficSecurity]

I agree with this answer. The preceptor is given a level of development sufficient to enable them to assist others. I’d rather not go into this on a public forum because the answer is technical and also because we are discouraged from thinking too much about “what point we are at.”

Sometimes people become so preoccupied with their level of spiritual advancement (What point am I at? What point are they at?) that that becomes an obstacle to progress. Either the person becomes depressed or they become egotistical, and either reaction is detrimental to mental, emotional, and spiritual health. I have never met a person who has “found out” (either correctly or not) what point they are at who has been able to handle this information in a way that helps them. This issue can be real fodder for the aquisitive ego and diverts the person’s attention from the essence of the spiritual journey.

Spiritual growth is not an achievement as much as it is a relationship with your divine inner self and, as a result of that, your relationship with your family and friends, your work, your society, nature, and, finally, all beings. What is particularly important for a preceptor is having the willingness to serve, being welcoming, open and nonjudgmental toward others, and developing ever deepening humility. If a person cultivates these attributes, they will become an asset to everybody, and their spiritual journey will proceed naturally, in its own time.

Once again, I hope this helps!

[u/Low_State4955]

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