A spiritual teacher is someone who guides and instructs others in matters of spirituality. The three most common terms for a spiritual teacher are SWAMI, GURU, and LAMA. A SWAMI is a Hindu spiritual teacher, usually associated with the monastic order of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. A GURU is a Hindu or Sikh spiritual teacher, often associated with a particular religious tradition. A LAMA is a Tibetan Buddhist spiritual teacher, usually associated with a particular monastery or school of Buddhism.