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I need a teacher.

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  • August 17, 2013 at 8:08 pm #40674
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hello everyone!
    I was curious to know who out there has or has had a teacher or some kind of sangha that they go to in their local community? I have been gradually building up my commitment and motivation toward my practice and want to take that next step and feel that I could really benefit from having a teacher or a sangha but there are none in my community. It is not a small town – about 150,000 but no temples or whatnot toward which I feel drawn and I am really considering moving so that I can find a community that is committed to the same practice that I am in order to help me with my practice. Is this a good idea or should I continue going at it alone? Anything anyone has to offer would be helpful. I feel alone where I am – practicing alone, reading alone, listening to dharma talks alone. Thanks.

    -JD

    August 18, 2013 at 5:17 am #40682
    Clare
    Participant

    Hi Jaydee,
    It has been suggested that when you need a teacher, they’ll come to you, or you’ll somehow know when you’ve found the right one. However, it seems that you would perhaps benefit more from a group of like minded people. As for moving, I would work out what it is exactly that you want from your practice. Are you happy where you currently live? Do the pros of moving outweigh the cons?
    The only thing I will say is be careful not to be manipulated or brainwashed — always approach any mindfulness, meditation or spiritual practise with an objective mind.
    Hope this helps.
    Clare
    http://www.thoughtbrick.com

    August 18, 2013 at 6:23 am #40687
    Matt
    Participant

    Jaydee,

    Buddha described the three jewels as the Buddha , the dharma, and the sangha. These three jewels are like three legs of a stool, if one is missing, the stool topples over. Your looking for a community is reasonable! The sangha is important to practice, as is the quality of awakeness inside us and the path of awakening. Said differently, when we connect with other people who are mindful, we have the opportunity to see aspects of ourselves that are otherwise unknown. Namaste captures that well, because the Buddha in one speaks to the Buddha in another, and helps to sustain mindfulness, and offers help in overcoming our projections.

    If there are no local temples, consider looking for a retreat. Many temples have retreats that are a few days to a few weeks, and it might be better than uprooting your life to follow a dream. Perhaps it will be wise to find a place with an active temple, but it might be best to see if a Buddhist temple is what seems right before deciding it is a “solution” to the problem of practice.

    With warmth,
    Matt

    August 18, 2013 at 8:45 am #40693
    Buddhist Wife
    Participant

    I agree with what Clare said about being cautious, Google is your friend. The majority of spiritual groups are wonderful, but sadly some are not.

    One of my own teachers always used to advise people to check the lineage of any teacher they went to see. Do the people teaching at the community say who their teachers are, or what tradition they are a part of. If not I would approach that community with caution.

    I don’t know what other places are like, but the community I am a part of is pretty broad minded. Not everyone who attends describes themselves as being part of our particular tradition or even as a Buddhist. I imagine that other places are the same, so you might find that even though a community or temple near you isn’t ideally what you are looking for, you may find it can still offer you something.

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