There is more then one way to skin a cat so
we’ll explore different approaches to:
• donations,
• sexuality and
• pragmatism.
Some teachers insist that all would-be students
pay a fixed fee before every class
whereas others are more flexible
and while they do invite a donation to provide for the:
• shelter,
• clothing,
• food, and
• materials
for the teacher and those he supports,
they understand that while some can afford to
give the recommended amount or even more,
others can only afford much less
and some, nothing at all.
Regardless of what a student is able to give
I invite all teachers everywhere to
make the only criteria for class participation, the
humility and enthusiasm of a student’s heart.
There are many lineages, schools and traditions in the world of Buddhism.
Some insist that celibacy is an absolute requirement for both
enlightenment as well as monasticism.
Others have found that we ignore the sexual aspect of our body and mind at
our own peril and
have embraced Buddha’s various methods to
bring sexuality into his monastic path to enlightenment.
Many who choose celibacy...
multiply their neurosis.
Some violate their Theravadan vows publicly,
and experience much suffering.
Others violate their Theravadan vows secretly and
create additional sufferings for others who
could feel confused and betrayed by their choices.
Regardless of whether or not others are wise enough to understand our actions or
even loving enough to give them the benefit of the doubt, I
invite all monastics everywhere to
be honest with themselves and…
if they sincerely feel that their current tradition does NOT
address their needs as sexual beings,
to then find a Monastic-lineage that
openly practices the union of Sexual Tantra and Monasticism in
a manner that better meets their needs.
Let us turn our attention to the Tantric Monastics.
Some meet a partner and then invite them to become a student,
and that’s great.
Some are approached by students who find them attractive and
start a romantic partnership,
which is lovely.
But I invite all teachers everywhere to refrain from being the one who
instigates a romantic relationship with a student,
rather let the student ask you for a date,
{if they're the right one for you, then they won't be able to stay away};
for as teachers our primary desire is to encourage our students’ growth and
it could be profoundly unfortunate if
our amorous advances
{however sincere they could be} were...
to repel the object of our love from
the teachings that could very well enlighten them.
In the Harry Potter movie “The Order of the Phoenix,” we were introduced to a loathsomely, aggressive, deceptive and manipulative woman named Ms Umbrage.
Many of us have made the mistake of following in her footsteps as a
self-styled “protector of the truth,” and as such
run around trying to
prove or disprove the worthiness of various teachers...
as if we were a little Tomas de Torquemada
conducing our own private inquisition and
preparing to warm our little hands before
the fires of a personal auto-dafé.
Folks the Buddha gave us one, and only one method for determining the
worthiness of a teacher:
• it’s not if we agree with his financial actions,
• it’s not if we agree with his reconciliation of the three vows,
• it’s not if we think his jokes or funny,
• it’s not if we find his face is pretty and
• it’s not if we feel his demeanor is sufficiently dignified.
Nope, according to the Buddha the only test of a teacher is
the efficacy of his teachings!
Do ya wanna put a teacher to the test?
Then here’s Buddha’s way of doing it:
#1 Find a teacher,
#2 suspend judgment,
#3 attend his class,
#4 receive his teachings and blessings…
#5 apply his instructions no less then once every morning and
once every evening for
no less then 6 consecutive days.
{if you can’t or won’t do that then you’re a bone head and you suck!}
#6 and notice the results you’ve received.
If you haven’t tamed or at least taken the edge off of
your anger, fear, sadness, pride or jealousy then
go off and find a better teacher.
But if you have noticed positive results
then don’t be a chump,
go back and get more teachings… duh!
What’s that Ms Umbrage?
You say you don’t approve of Buddha’s method?
Well Buddha’s the fully enlightened one…
who the f ____ are you?
It doesn’t matter if your teacher has failed to
live up to your "enlightened" expectations.
All that matters is:
“Do his teachings work when you apply them?”
But what if you don't approve of his actions and consequently feel yucky?
What should you do with your anger and sadness?
The only thing you should do with them is
bring them into Buddha’s paths of:
• Devotion,
• Awareness,
• Love and
• Letting-go;
{ya big old goof ball}!
O.K. boys and girls I promised you three points.
I’ve already given you finances and sexuality, now
let’s conclude with pragmatism.
Some energy vampires come to a teacher hoping to puff up their self esteem by
distracting themselves from the train wreck that is their life, by
immersing their minds in the thick quagmire that is mere theory and
are horrified to learn that their Lama is profoundly pragmatic.
Others sometimes have the opposite problem, they
have a wealth of real world problems such as:
• resentment,
• clinging,
• fear,
• pride as well as
• jealousy,
and when they approach “the great robed one,”
not only are their problems poo-poo-ed but
they are mocked and denigrated for being
“too worldly and having failed at being truly spiritual”.
Come, all teacher’s everywhere let us take our students by the hand and
pragmatically walk them through their problems with both
generalized principals as well as specific practices designed to
help them both physically as well as emotionally .
only 2 weeks!
You could register today .
May you and yours be
happy and healthy!
Om Mani Padme Hum,
NON-sectarian Buddhist: Monk, Teacher, Healer and Tantrika
Who is Kuan Yin, Chenrezig, Avalokiteshvara and the Buddha of Compassion?
What is the difference between a Buddha, a Bodhisattva and a Boob?
What is the Six-syllable mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum, and what does it mean?
What is Enlightenment?
What is the key to Breathing meditation?
What is Suffering?
Did you know it's possible to transform sorrow, anger and fear into joy, love, peace and the wisdom of Letting-go?
With so many meditation teachers, lamas, roshis, rinphoches, sifus, bhantes and methods to select from, how could you know which one to rely upon?
Could you be curious about the Bliss of Tantric Sex? Then check out these two essays
How could Buddhism compare to other spiritual traditions?
What is the spiritual freedom and liberation that Buddha offers us?
What did the Dalai Lama say the Meaning of Life was, and what could that mean?
What is meant by Karma, causality and cause and effect?
What can we do with our painful emotions?
How could we manifest the ideal Marriage?
What methods could you use to fill your heart with the Bliss of Gratitude?
If you like to receive Reiki then you'll love Lama Jigme's Healing Energy treatments.
What is the subtle art of Awareness {Rigpa} and Letting-go that could be the secret to mastering Mahamudra, Dzogchen, Zen and Vipassana?
What is the four-fold Yoga of Buddha ?
Have you registered for the live, on-line, Webinar, Meditation class?
If weight-loss is an issue in your life then you may benefit from these FREE videos.
.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment