I read the book Halfway Up The Mountain: The Error of Premature Claims to Enlightenment soon after it was published in 1999. At the time I was training in breathwork, bio-energy and hatha yoga. I recommend the book for anyone who leads a form of meditation, healing or inquiry. On the flip side, the insights contained in the book are helpful for the student as well so a misguided teaching or incompatible path can be identified before stumbling blocks enter for the student.
It is all too easy for many seekers to turn power over to a teacher as much as it is all too easy for a teacher to absorb the power. Meditation assists in keeping things neutral so to speak but things can get tricky, especially when unresolved emotional business makes an entrance. This can create a "blip" on the integrity scale. Even values shine through. As I write this post there is the awareness of my innate tendency to be independent, independence being something instilled in childhood, something I value and strive for. [Dare I say to the extent of cynical mistrust of authority?]
Every teacher, every one I've worked with anyway, brings through a bit of their personality and a bit imprints on what is being taught. This is a beautiful thing of course!!! AND... remember this effect. Even the most in-the-now leader is often presenting how the process works for him/her. Angela Farmer comes to mind. I appreciate how she says that's what she does, stating she no longer considers herself a yoga teach per se.
One of my favorite ways to lead the yoga and meditation experience is to schedule the mysore/individual sessions where we come together in silence and each have our own practice. To me it is a beautiful middle ground of group support and honoring intuition. Of course instruction has its place and I enjoy it too. Just like tennis, golf or surfing, there's a time to take lessons from an instructor* and a time to simply play and grow. There is no substitute for personal practice.
* In-person or through books or videos, etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment