On Teachers and Teaching

November Project: Question #6

Over the past 3 or 4 years you’ve probably had a chance to read a lot of teachings and meet with a lot of teachers. What are your impressions of those teachers and what they have to say?

I have been writing here at Takuin.com since December of 2006. In all of that time, I have not really read much spiritual literature. I won’t say zero though, because I can remember reading an article here and there, and I think I have listened to two or three audio interviews from various teachers. But other than that, I’ve not really payed much attention to that world of activity.

What is the reason? Well, it is not really a reason. To be honest, I am just not interested in those things. It is just not my thing.

It must sound strange to many of you, especially those new to this site; a person, considered to be a spiritual teacher, not interested in spiritual teaching. I am right there with you…it sounds a bit strange to me when I hear it.

And it is not a matter of avoidance. It is not as if I think I will somehow poison myself with the words of others, or that I will be negatively influenced. I am just not pulled in that direction. I don’t know what else to tell you.

But sitting here, typing my answer, I have found an exception. I have met many wonderful people over the last few years. Many of them writers of spiritual things. I take an interest in what many of them have to say, so I will go to their sites from time to time to see what they’ve been up to. I don’t read every article, but I am supportive of what they do.

Here are a few of those writers for you to check out:

Tom Stine – Walking the Path of Spiritual Awakening

Albert Foong – Urbanmonk

Davidya – In2Deep

Ariel Bravy – You are Truly Loved

Nadia Ballas-Ruta – Happy Lotus

M.S. Ayers – reality, advaita, oneness, nonduality

This is a good resource for those of you interested in spiritual writings. The style of writing varies GREATLY between the writers on this list, but they are all superb at what they do. And if you have not heard of anyone in this list, be sure to stop by their sites and say hello!

Continuing the question from above:

What are your impressions of those teachers and what they have to say?

I have nothing specific to say. But I do have some general words of advice for teachers, even though no one asked me to say anything.

A good teacher should not be so interested in accumulating students. Their attention would be better spent in losing them. If a teacher spends years saying the same things, and the students keep coming back asking the same questions, then what is the point?

Teach the students to teach themselves, then set them free.

Thanks so much for the question.