"When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the student is ready the teacher disappears." - Alan Cohen

When the student is ready the teacher disappears... 

Lots of truth in both of these statements, and it seems the real test is when the teacher disappears. Alan Cohen is one of my favorite spiritual thought leaders, and he also wrote a very profound message last April that has stuck with me. 

"Be the light amidst apparent darkness. Your joy, gratitude, and creative self-expression serve humanity and the planet far more than anxiety. Misery has enough company. The world needs people whose minds are clear, confident, and connected to Higher Power. We have meditated, prayed, done yoga, sat at the feet of gurus, and aligned our chakras at Sedona vortexes. Now is the time to put our training into action. Boot camp is over. Now we must apply what we know and live the teachings instead of just talking about them..."