Shinzen speaks to the the question "How can I know if a meditation teacher's qualified and if they've had a real liberation experience?" Filmed in April, 2009 at Mt. Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls.
Shinzen, I would say that you do not go far enough here. In my experience there are qualifications for a teaching beyond an enlightenment experience: the ability to impart clear comprehension of the meditation subject and method, the abilty to gladden arouse and insipire, the capacity to balance out a student's practice, and exemplary morality that will inspire trust in the students. I would call these the minimum skill set, along with the path of stream entry :-) Daniel
I was homeless for years, and I have had a harsh life by American standards. When you can hear (which technically is more of a vibratory mood) the screaming of mutilated trees, it's hard to keep it together. The point is that a deeper awareness can drive one insane. I generally find a deeper awareness among the homeless than among socially acceptable persons. The challenge is to practice mindfulness whilst inhabiting the killing fields of the fossil fuel community. Who's crazy?
Shinzen, I would say that you do not go far enough here. In my experience there are qualifications for a teaching beyond an enlightenment experience: the ability to impart clear comprehension of the meditation subject and method, the abilty to gladden arouse and insipire, the capacity to balance out a student's practice, and exemplary morality that will inspire trust in the students. I would call these the minimum skill set, along with the path of stream entry :-) Daniel
empty0grace 1 year ago
I was homeless for years, and I have had a harsh life by American standards. When you can hear (which technically is more of a vibratory mood) the screaming of mutilated trees, it's hard to keep it together. The point is that a deeper awareness can drive one insane. I generally find a deeper awareness among the homeless than among socially acceptable persons. The challenge is to practice mindfulness whilst inhabiting the killing fields of the fossil fuel community. Who's crazy?
bamboosa 1 year ago