An itch is just an itch.

[Tony]

An itch is just an itch.

Very subtle truths are handed down. They do not lie round in the mud, and even if they were, how would you recognise them?

Finding a teacher is easy. Finding your teacher is not easy. I am not a teacher. I have found my teacher. If I want to learn, I have to ask politely. I have to learn how to ask questions. It is a meeting of minds, not a battle. One has to lose one's pride, and listen.

Having humility is not for the teachers benefit. It is for your benefit for your mind and heart to open. Of course, if you are the sort of person who thinks this is will allow control of your mind, you are totally mistaken and should continue on your own way.

People are getting information from all over the place and mixing it all up. They will only end up confused and angry. Well-trodden paths are there, ready for you with their varying levels and methods, to help you. This forum is just a taster for the various spiritual journeys. It is not “all one”. The Buddha and Christ still have their individual approaches and identities.

I once spoke with a lama in Nepal, who said he was tired of the bull**** from westerners. I was quite shocked! We are very arrogant. We think we can just shout and expect a reply. A teacher values the teachings, and will not devalue them for our entertainment, and for us to merely repeat to show off.

If you insist on being upset, then you are not ready for spiritual practice. There are those who would like to know more, but maybe cannot deal with disruptive people: there is nothing wrong with being sensitive. The spiritual journey is really tough. A teacher has to see if you are fit enough, or there could be problems ahead. First we need to be decent human beings.

At one level, the teacher is a spiritual friend. At another level, the teacher is a warrior. Humility and devotion go hand in hand, and this is not easy for a westerners. I also had a problem with this, but it changed my life once I looked more closely.

Remember there are different levels, but this does not mean one is better. It just means more suitable for the individual. However the answers may be slightly different to address that mind.

If you say “I do not need a teacher!” I would reply, “Where you think all that information you have in your head come from?” They are not your own, they came from the great teachings from the past. Unfortunately intermingled with these thoughts are 'suggestions' that you are a self made man or woman and that you are enlightened now. You are just hanging around now to be recognised and taken home!

If you think that it is 'all about me', and the clever things 'I can do'...then you are definitely facing the wrong direction. Be aware of who is pulling your strings!

An itch, is just an itch.
To realise the truth we have to scratch below the surface, to find genuine loving well being. A love that has no fear and no limits.

[shijo]

All my teachers are dead now, but a strange thing happened, i seem to live in their lineage.There can be no discontinuity between past present and future!A humble attitude seems to open up space for new things to take place, its an ongoing situation.... and im far from perfect.However one thing i do know is that regardless of various karmas we all can manifest the great mystery at the core of our being and soar into the skies of the ultimate reality.Regards Shijo.

[Flash]

You are telling us that Westeners are teenagers in terms of maturity (the arrogance of the teenager that knows it all). I cannot do otherwise than agree with this.

[Star1111]

Dear Pie 'n' eal
As usual a wonderful thread.
MY teacher was a "simple human being"
She is no longer with us in this dimension, but she taught me THE most important thing for my journey to enlightenment that "True LOVE is to give of thyself" and THAT is what it is ALL about!
Her words will stay with me forever in this lifetime and I know that she is part of my Soul Group and is now with me within me, teaching me still.
Although I miss her physical presence, I feel her (in a way) more strongly.
She helped me scratch beneth the surface in a subtle and beautiful way. She taught me how to learn and to find my own way.
I was privileged and honored to be a part of her existence and continue to be so.
I am blessed.

[Tony]

It's good to remind one another of what we appreciate. It took me a long time appreciate what I had been taking for granted. To be reminded that whether good things happen or bad things happen, to always remain at peace, and that everything was perfect even though it did not seem so. The meeting of minds, of teacher and student is part of an unbroken lineage. We all take turns in the continuity of love.

[TraineeHuman]

Lama Pie’n'eal, I don’t know if you think of yourself that way, but it seems to me you are functioning as an eloquent and stimulating and very energetic teacher towards us, however naughty and misbehaved we may seem to be as students – and maybe, in your eyes, not necessarily deserving to be called students.

I consider I understand your monk’s eyeview of things, for a number of reasons. I’m not totally sure if I’ve had human lives before this one, but I do know that I’ve taken on some past-life “memories” as if certain past lives were mine. Maybe I’m living those lives out now, since the past is really happening now? One such life was of a Tibetan Buddhist physician around the turn of that century when the Dalai Lama’s sects (the white hat sect and the blue and purple hat sects) first began retreating into the mountains to hide. What I have eventually discovered in this (current) life has been that spiritual liberation means throwing away almost any and every identity, as far as practically possible. And I found that I had a few “past-life” monk or nun or shaman identities that didn’t fit in at all with life in the twenty-first century West. These identities all considered it was very shameful to accrue wealth, and in my subconscious mind they were sabotaging my wealth creation efforts, very subtly but effectively, in the long run. In the cultures and periods of those identities, a spiritual person did not need any wealth because they were fully subsidised by the ordinary folk.

So it was that one of the most liberating things in my whole life was the throwing off of those deep-seated monk-like identities – those “monkeys on my back”. It was a real jolt, much like a divorce. This leads me to ask you a kind of similar question in your life. Let me put it this way. In taking on the identity of a “good student”, are you not nevertheless vigorously taking on and attaching very strongly to an identity? And is it not the case that the end goal of being a good student is to realize the pure, “empty” consciousness you speak about so eloquently? The catch, of course, is that to realize that pure consciousness you must destroy or at least totally detach from all identities, including that of the student monk or even the monk in any form.

Not yet, you may probably say. But having been there and done that, I'm eager to tell you you're missing out on so much by not being able to fully de-monk, say, for each weekend.

Let me add that I’m familiar with many aspects of Tibetan spirituality. I’m an initiate in the Order of the Snow Leopard (and I therefore have a snow leopard totem and protection and collaboration from the Blue Dragons), and Iktomi (who visits the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Oracle) used to visit me a few nights per week for a number of years. Also, here in Australia it so happens that the entire astral is largely under the rule of various (dead) Aboriginal elders, and the traditional form of the Aboriginal religion is really just a variant of Tibetan Buddhism, being based on mantras, mudras, tantrism, and at least tales of interactions with benevolent Reptoids.

[The One]

It's good to remind one another of what we appreciate. It took me a long time appreciate what I had been taking for granted. To be reminded that whether good things happen or bad things happen, to always remain at peace, and that everything was perfect even though it did not seem so. The meeting of minds, of teacher and student is part of an unbroken lineage. We all take turns in the continuity of love.

Spot on my friend a wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation and remember it is astonishing with how little wisdom mankind can be governed, when that little wisdom is its own.

[truthseekerdan]

"Everybody's a teacher if you listen." ~ Doris Roberts

[Tony]

Lama Pie’n'eal, I don’t know if you think of yourself that way, but it seems to me you are functioning as an eloquent and stimulating and very energetic teacher towards us, however naughty and misbehaved we may seem to be as students – and maybe, in your eyes, not necessarily deserving to be called students.

I consider I understand your monk’s eyeview of things, for a number of reasons. I’m not totally sure if I’ve had human lives before this one, but I do know that I’ve taken on some past-life “memories” as if certain past lives were mine. Maybe I’m living those lives out now, since the past is really happening now? One such life was of a Tibetan Buddhist physician around the turn of that century when the Dalai Lama’s sects (the white hat sect and the blue and purple hat sects) first began retreating into the mountains to hide. What I have eventually discovered in this (current) life has been that spiritual liberation means throwing away almost any and every identity, as far as practically possible. And I found that I had a few “past-life” monk or nun or shaman identities that didn’t fit in at all with life in the twenty-first century West. These identities all considered it was very shameful to accrue wealth, and in my subconscious mind they were sabotaging my wealth creation efforts, very subtly but effectively, in the long run. In the cultures and periods of those identities, a spiritual person did not need any wealth because they were fully subsidised by the ordinary folk.

So it was that one of the most liberating things in my whole life was the throwing off of those deep-seated monk-like identities – those “monkeys on my back”. It was a real jolt, much like a divorce. This leads me to ask you a kind of similar question in your life. Let me put it this way. In taking on the identity of a “good student”, are you not nevertheless vigorously taking on and attaching very strongly to an identity? And is it not the case that the end goal of being a good student is to realize the pure, “empty” consciousness you speak about so eloquently? The catch, of course, is that to realize that pure consciousness you must destroy or at least totally detach from all identities, including that of the student monk or even the monk in any form.

Not yet, you may probably say. But having been there and done that, I'm eager to tell you you're missing out on so much by not being able to fully de-monk, say, for each weekend.

Let me add that I’m familiar with many aspects of Tibetan spirituality. I’m an initiate in the Order of the Snow Leopard (and I therefore have a snow leopard totem and protection and collaboration from the Blue Dragons), and Iktomi (who visits the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Oracle) used to visit me a few nights per week for a number of years. Also, here in Australia it so happens that the entire astral is largely under the rule of various (dead) Aboriginal elders, and the traditional form of the Aboriginal religion is really just a variant of Tibetan Buddhism, being based on mantras, mudras, tantrism, and at least tales of interactions with benevolent Reptoids.

Dear TraineeHuman,

You are perfectly right, I must sound like a monk-like-lama-like-person.
But I'm not... just an irritant! (laugh!!!)... though unintentionally.

I see people here with such incredible potential, (though I am not a teacher), so encouragement is very important. This encouragement seems to take the form of Milarepa's teacher Marpa. Who constantly told Milarepa to build a tower, only to tear it down again. Through this action, Milarepa (after being such a evil person) achieved enlightenment in one lifetime.

If I were a teacher and saw potential in someone, I would not let up on them! They deserve it!!! (more laugher!)

The catch you mention is correct. This pure "empty" consciousness is quite dry, in my tradition which is Nyingma it is called Rigpa. That is essence Rigpa. Then there is expression Rigpa, display Rigpa and Ornament Rigpa (Dharamkaya). Expression and display allow for a little ego to come in, and have fun!!!

I know I can sound serious, but I'm not, it is just playing with not too tight not too loose. As has been said we are all students and we are all teachers, therefore we have a responsibility to one another.

All the best
Tony

[Tarka the Duck]

When I read about the need for humility (in the OP), I thought of the balance Pema Chodron writes about - as she puts, it, we need the "down" side of life in order to soften us up...

“Life is glorious, but life is also wretched.
It is both.
Appreciating the gloriousness inspires us, encourages us, cheers us up, gives us a bigger perspective, energizes us.
We feel connected.
But if that's all that's happening, we get arrogant and start to look down on others, and there is a sense of making ourselves a big deal
and being really serious about it, wanting it to be like that forever.
The gloriousness becomes tinged by craving and addiction.
On the other hand, wretchedness--life's painful aspect--softens us up considerably.
Knowing pain is a very important ingredient of being there for another person.
When you are feeling a lot of grief, you can look right into somebody's eyes because you feel you haven't got anything to lose--you're just there.
The wretchedness humbles us and softens us, but if we were only wretched, we would all just go down the tubes.
We'd be so depressed, discouraged, and hopeless that we wouldn't have enough energy to eat an apple.
Gloriousness and wretchedness need each other.
One inspires us, the other softens us. They go together.”

― Pema Chödrön, Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living

[Mark]

Having humility is not for the teachers benefit. It is for your benefit for your mind and heart to open. Of course, if you are the sort of person who thinks this is will allow control of your mind, you are totally mistaken and should continue on your own way.

People are getting information from all over the place and mixing it all up. They will only end up confused and angry. Well-trodden paths are there, ready for you with their varying levels and methods, to help you. This forum is just a taster for the various spiritual journeys. It is not “all one”. The Buddha and Christ still have their individual approaches and identities.

If you insist on being upset, then you are not ready for spiritual practice. There are those who would like to know more, but maybe cannot deal with disruptive people: there is nothing wrong with being sensitive. The spiritual journey is really tough. A teacher has to see if you are fit enough, or there could be problems ahead. First we need to be decent human beings.

Thank you for this, Pie. Making the decision to seek peace in a world bent upon conflict is a difficult proposition. Entering the arena of ideas with set beliefs is a recipe for disaster. And yet, opening one's mind to different ideas that challenge preconceptions is mandatory for all growth. The quotes that I highlighted above exemplify the types of dangers that exist for those who seek the challenge of knowledge but instead fall into the trap of intellectual masturbation.

The Heart. The Soul. Humility. Gratitude.

[TraineeHuman]

Tony, I probably should have put a warning at the front of my previous post that its contents could be very offensive to some people who believe that following and obeying a wise spiritual teacher is the ultimate (for now, for them). I’m sure you appreciate, though, that I only went ahead with my heretical post because of the depth of your commitment. Actually, “sincerity” is the more accurate word. And sorry, I just don’t buy your denials about how you don’t really wear a monk identity. Not having actually met you, it’s possible I could be wrong, of course. So you actually allow your ego to play a tiny bit at times, do you? Meanwhile I’m suspicious that the rest of the time your ego may be kept sort of in prison, to be honest.

It’s precisely, though, because I believe you’re likely to get somewhere doing what you’re doing that I took the trouble to write that post. I’d simply like you to consider the possibility that in the future anything monk-like or obedient-to-the-teacher may become very harmful to you, once you’ve reached a certain point. And as I said, that’s absolutely 100% based on real experience. Just consider the possibility -- that's all I'm asking.

[Dawn]

I awoke so utterly and totally after just 3 intense months of meditation that I did not sleep for 9 years afterwards, and the 'solid' objects in the world appeared to be 'transparent' to me. Still, for what ever reason, I decided I needed to follow a teacher and a teaching. I sat for years with a Zen master, and then went on to delve deeply into a few other disciplines until I had mastered them.

Finally, I realized that all the teachings and teachers had actually been a way of avoiding the awesome knowledge and power which had been granted to me through awakening. When I saw this I dropped all teachings in favor of living. Now life is my teacher... and what ever is in front of me is absolutely what I have called into being to experience and learn from/with.

But I have to say that the HARDEST letting go I ever did was not during the time I was a student of teachings.... it was letting go of the teachings. This meant that I was no longer a good student, a teacher, a master, or an adept. All beliefs I picked up as a student had to be let go of. As one of my teachers used to say, "You cannot express the truth in words, they can only point the way." This means that all teachings must eventually be transcended.

I now have no guideposts to measure my life by. This is the courageous step that all must eventually take in order to be free.

Teachers and teachings can be an interesting signpost along the way, but they only appear when the 'student' is ready. And for some, who have had many lifetimes as students, they really aren't needed (or are only needed for a brief period of time).

[truthseekerdan]

I awoke so utterly and totally after just 3 intense months of meditation that I did not sleep for 9 years afterwards, and the 'solid' objects in the world appeared to be 'transparent' to me. Still, for what ever reason, I decided I needed to follow a teacher and a teaching. I sat for years with a Zen master, and then went on to delve deeply into a few other disciplines until I had mastered them.

Finally, I realized that all the teachings and teachers had actually been a way of avoiding the awesome knowledge and power which had been granted to me through awakening. When I saw this I dropped all teachings in favor of living. Now life is my teacher... and what ever is in front of me is absolutely what I have called into being to experience and learn from/with.

But I have to say that the HARDEST letting go I ever did was not during the time I was a student of teachings.... it was letting go of the teachings. This meant that I was no longer a good student, a teacher, a master, or an adept. All beliefs I picked up as a student had to be let go of. As one of my teachers used to say, "You cannot express the truth in words, they can only point the way." This means that all teachings must eventually be transcended.

I now have no guideposts to measure my life by. This is the courageous step that all must eventually take in order to be free.

Teachers and teachings can be an interesting signpost along the way, but they only appear when the 'student' is ready. And for some, who have had many lifetimes as students, they really aren't needed (or are only needed for a brief period of time).

Thank you for your testimony T.A.T.; much appreciated. :yo:

I agree that teachers and teachings are only a signpost along the way... The real knowledge and wisdom comes from personal experience, and from within one's hearth -- not the mind.

Much Love

[fifi]

Wow, I am so impressed and feel humbled, like an elementary student accidentally walks into a college class. There are so many enlightened and spiritually advanced people here in this forum, and I feel so honored to be a member of this special community. Thanks all for sharing your wisdom, intuition and love here.

Regards,
Fifi

[Tony]

Dear Truthseekerdan, Abundant Traveler and TraineeHuman,

You are absolutely right!!!! Teachings are a doorway, a map, a sign post and you have to make the journey yourself and you move on...
Then the next person comes along, goes through the doorway, gets a map, reads the signs and they move on...
There will always be someone there to open the door!

Don't forget your sandwiches, a rain mac and don't play with any buggeyed monsters.

[TraineeHuman]

That's great advice, Tony. Brief and to the point.

[Tarka the Duck]

Tony, I probably should have put a warning at the front of my previous post that its contents could be very offensive to some people who believe that following and obeying a wise spiritual teacher is the ultimate (for now, for them). I’m sure you appreciate, though, that I only went ahead with my heretical post because of the depth of your commitment. Actually, “sincerity” is the more accurate word. And sorry, I just don’t buy your denials about how you don’t really wear a monk identity. Not having actually met you, it’s possible I could be wrong, of course. So you actually allow your ego to play a tiny bit at times, do you? Meanwhile I’m suspicious that the rest of the time your ego may be kept sort of in prison, to be honest.

It’s precisely, though, because I believe you’re likely to get somewhere doing what you’re doing that I took the trouble to write that post. I’d simply like you to consider the possibility that in the future anything monk-like or obedient-to-the-teacher may become very harmful to you, once you’ve reached a certain point. And as I said, that’s absolutely 100% based on real experience. Just consider the possibility -- that's all I'm asking.

Hello TH!

Having been married to the 'monk identity' for 32 years, I can totally assure you that he really was a monk, I would definitely not have had the wonderful time I have had ;)
He is the most creative, loving, weird, frustrating, curious person I have ever met...and I don't always feel I can take him into polite company!! :laugh:
Interestingly, as for being 'obedient-to-the-teacher' - he has been "asked to leave" by 2 teachers and 2 others have been happy to see him go...devastating experiences at the time, but he has so much respect for the teachings as a method of communication and practice that he had no choice but to continue the search.
Some strange things have happened to him over the past year or so, and he feels a need to share, because people rarely get a chance for contact with the teachings we have both received.
As an artist, words are not his natural forte, but he seems to have been given a 'boost' from somewhere...

Kathie

[Tony]

A firm foundation realises freedom.
In these troubled times, energy can easily be wasted.
Be patient, be disciplined, be generous, be concentrated, be your natural transcendent self.

[TraineeHuman]

Tony, I probably should have put a warning at the front of my previous post that its contents could be very offensive to some people who believe that following and obeying a wise spiritual teacher is the ultimate (for now, for them). I’m sure you appreciate, though, that I only went ahead with my heretical post because of the depth of your commitment. Actually, “sincerity” is the more accurate word. And sorry, I just don’t buy your denials about how you don’t really wear a monk identity. Not having actually met you, it’s possible I could be wrong, of course. So you actually allow your ego to play a tiny bit at times, do you? Meanwhile I’m suspicious that the rest of the time your ego may be kept sort of in prison, to be honest.

It’s precisely, though, because I believe you’re likely to get somewhere doing what you’re doing that I took the trouble to write that post. I’d simply like you to consider the possibility that in the future anything monk-like or obedient-to-the-teacher may become very harmful to you, once you’ve reached a certain point. And as I said, that’s absolutely 100% based on real experience. Just consider the possibility -- that's all I'm asking.

Hello TH!

Having been married to the 'monk identity' for 32 years, I can totally assure you that he really was a monk, I would definitely not have had the wonderful time I have had ;)
He is the most creative, loving, weird, frustrating, curious person I have ever met...and I don't always feel I can take him into polite company!! :laugh:
Interestingly, as for being 'obedient-to-the-teacher' - he has been "asked to leave" by 2 teachers and 2 others have been happy to see him go...devastating experiences at the time, but he has so much respect for the teachings as a method of communication and practice that he had no choice but to continue the search.
Some strange things have happened to him over the past year or so, and he feels a need to share, because people rarely get a chance for contact with the teachings we have both received.
As an artist, words are not his natural forte, but he seems to have been given a 'boost' from somewhere...

Kathie

Thank you very much, Tarka. You have one of the best names in the forum, by the way.

I guess I see creative artists as similar to monks, only a kind of much higher version, in that they are both totally devoted to developing and following their intuition and heart in a disciplined way. I’m very glad to hear that Tony isn’t obedient as he sometimes sounds to me to be when he uses all that Tibetan jargon. Unfortunately, on a forum like this it’s not so easy to separate the real person from their words. I've met quite a few "monks" or "nuns" who seemed to me to be copping out on taking responsibility for themselves by trying to lay it all on their teacher.

[Davidallany]

A firm foundation realises freedom.
In these troubled times, energy can easily be wasted.
Be patient, be disciplined, be generous, be concentrated, be your natural transcendent self.
Indeed Sir. There is this habit in people to to associate with the mind and it's moods and thoughts, letting it play them like a yo yo, and they go on in an endless battle of minds. Then when they become slightly aware of some negative thoughts, they decide to ignore them, block them or resist them, because they become afraid of those thoughts. If they can just remember that thoughts have no power whatsoever on them, all it takes is a decision to not to be slave to mind.

[Elocin]

Spoken like a true wise being :)

[whenyournex2me]

An itch is just an itch.

Very subtle truths are handed down. They do not lie round in the mud, and even if they were, how would you recognise them?

Finding a teacher is easy. Finding your teacher is not easy. I am not a teacher. I have found my teacher. If I want to learn, I have to ask politely. I have to learn how to ask questions. It is a meeting of minds, not a battle. One has to lose one's pride, and listen.

Having humility is not for the teachers benefit. It is for your benefit for your mind and heart to open. Of course, if you are the sort of person who thinks this is will allow control of your mind, you are totally mistaken and should continue on your own way.

People are getting information from all over the place and mixing it all up. They will only end up confused and angry. Well-trodden paths are there, ready for you with their varying levels and methods, to help you. This forum is just a taster for the various spiritual journeys. It is not “all one”. The Buddha and Christ still have their individual approaches and identities.

I once spoke with a lama in Nepal, who said he was tired of the bull**** from westerners. I was quite shocked! We are very arrogant. We think we can just shout and expect a reply. A teacher values the teachings, and will not devalue them for our entertainment, and for us to merely repeat to show off.

If you insist on being upset, then you are not ready for spiritual practice. There are those who would like to know more, but maybe cannot deal with disruptive people: there is nothing wrong with being sensitive. The spiritual journey is really tough. A teacher has to see if you are fit enough, or there could be problems ahead. First we need to be decent human beings.

At one level, the teacher is a spiritual friend. At another level, the teacher is a warrior. Humility and devotion go hand in hand, and this is not easy for a westerners. I also had a problem with this, but it changed my life once I looked more closely.

Remember there are different levels, but this does not mean one is better. It just means more suitable for the individual. However the answers may be slightly different to address that mind.

If you say “I do not need a teacher!” I would reply, “Where you think all that information you have in your head come from?” They are not your own, they came from the great teachings from the past. Unfortunately intermingled with these thoughts are 'suggestions' that you are a self made man or woman and that you are enlightened now. You are just hanging around now to be recognised and taken home!

If you think that it is 'all about me', and the clever things 'I can do'...then you are definitely facing the wrong direction. Be aware of who is pulling your strings!

An itch, is just an itch.
To realise the truth we have to scratch below the surface, to find genuine loving well being. A love that has no fear and no limits.



No offense and all, but it's not like the easterners are any better... or mature... We are all human in most form or another.
I understand what you are saying though, and I edited this lil guy here, cause it is one of my favorite movies and well, I feel like a lil kid with much to learn. I don't have a problem with accepting this, and I'm from the west.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y57/ibstillaweiner/cowboyj.jpg

[Tony]

Dear Whenyouarenex2me,
I entirely agree with you. We do not have to appologise for being westerners.

yours,
Tony

[another bob]

I once spoke with a lama in Nepal, who said he was tired of the bull**** from westerners. I was quite shocked! We are very arrogant. We think we can just shout and expect a reply. A teacher values the teachings, and will not devalue them for our entertainment, and for us to merely repeat to show off.

Greetings, Friends!

This reply is in no way meant to deny the critical need for good teachers/spiritual friends and benefactors/guides along the way, but as a cautionary note, I feel obliged to mention that the number of predators passing themselves off as awakened teachers is alarmingly high as a percentage, especially within the ranks of the lamas and roshis who claim to have come here to represent and pass on the highest wisdom traditions of Buddhism. For those with open eyes who've been involved in the Buddhist training scene over the last four or five decades here in the West (and who have not had their head buried in the sand), I need say no more in that regard.

What's more important is the inquiry. For instance, how does it happen that these talented and wise folks invariably end up getting busted in their students' bedrooms? The first few waves of swamis fared slightly better, but not by much, and of course the Catholics, well . . . I spent my teens in an RC seminary, eventually saw through their game, but my lessons were not over, it seems, because soon I found myself in a Zen Buddhist monastery, where the revered Asian Abbot was secretly fondling the gals in the sanzen room. I later found out this was more common than not in the Buddhist training centers throughout the West, and in fact a huge uproar is in full swing right now over a famous Japanes Zen Master at a major center recently unmasked as a serial sexual predator.

I'm not here to judge anyone -- understand, forgive, and let go. Part of understanding the phenomena, I believe, is to come to terms with the practice of spiritual bypass, apparently a common trait shared by our Asian imports, but one which they have historically refused to address. Here in the West, rather than just passing it on as a kind of parasitic virus attached to an otherwise helpful file, hopefully we can break the cycle of this bad habit in the course of our spiritual pursuits.

"Spiritual bypassing” is a term to describe a process I saw happening in the Buddhist community I was in, and also in myself. Although most of us were sincerely trying to work on ourselves, I noticed a widespread tendency to use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep or avoid facing unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and unfinished developmental tasks. When we are spiritually bypassing, we often use the goal of awakening or liberation to try to rise above the raw and messy side of our humanness before we have fully faced and made peace with it. We may also use our notion of absolute truth to disparage or dismiss relative human needs, feelings, psychological problems, relational difficulties, and developmental deficits. I see this as a basic hazard of the spiritual path, in that spirituality does involve a vision of going beyond our current karmic situation."

~John Welwood
Human Nature, Buddha Nature


Blessings!

[another bob]

One additional comment: The Dalai Lama set a good standard in terms of evaluating a potential teacher, and that was to closely observe the candidate, scrutinizing the consistency of their behavior vs their spoken word, for 3 years before committing oneself to their tutelage.

Blessings!

[Tony]

One additional comment: The Dalai Lama set a good standard in terms of evaluating a potential teacher, and that was to closely observe the candidate, scrutinizing the consistency of their behavior vs their spoken word, for 3 years before committing oneself to their tutelage.

Blessings!

Hello Bob,
As you say finding the right teacher is not easy. Also as one's understanding evolves one's needs change. In the end the teacher only reflects the inner teacher.

All the best
Tony