do you have a teacher?

[Mariko]

I have never met, in person, anyone even vaguely interested in Dharmic religions, let alone someone willing to teach and guide me. The area I live in consists of a large Muslim population, who keep very much to themselves, a small Christian population, most of which are Christian only in name, and then me, the odd one fascinated very much by Buddhism and Hinduism. There isn't a Buddhist temple around for miles and the nearest community is hours away.

It is very depressing to be considered 'weird' because you learn about meditation and the Buddha's teachings, and to have no one to talk about it.

 

[Engyo]

Well, we're here........

And we'll be happy to talk with you.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Mariko,
Along with Engyo and everyone welcome you to RF, besides you will find most of whatever you ever wanted to know on RF on dharmic religion.
Love & rgds

 

[Brahman]

I have no teacher nor do i desire to have one. I thought that when i was younger that i needed one(guru) to attain the unattainable, but thats wrong. it depends on where you are on your path toward enlightenment. some need one others, as zenzero said one in a million, dont need one.

 

[TurkeyOnRye]

Essentially, everyone is their own guru, even those that seem to be enlightened with the help of another. There is only one.

 

[Twilight Hue]

As of now with my Zen practice, I have no formal teacher with exception to online guidance from various clergy and lay and reading books relating to my chosen tradition. But once I feel ready to do so, I will make a formal commitment. I recognize the importance of having a teacher that can help guide, but there has to be a mutual, personal, and honest commitment. It wouldn't be productive and/or beneficial to have a willing teacher teaching an unwilling student and vice versa.

When the time comes I'll know, and be ready to commit. :bow:

 

[zenzero]

Friends,

One last call on the NEED for GURU.
The need for guru is till one reaches the state of the STILL MIND even for a split second.
Thereafter it is PRACTICE.

Next up, who is a guru.
Anyone who gives pointers or directions.
Do we need to confine to One guru?
No, if we recognize each and every element in this universe to be giving those pointers then every one of them is a guru.
Afterall, the source of every form and no-form is ONE and so the guru and the disciple too are ONE.
Once this understanding of Oneness itself grows the MIND Stills of its own accord and all divisions of dualities fall.
Love & rgds

 

[ranjana]

yes in my experience a real guru recognizes the real guru in 'the student', he plays the role but knows there are none. he doesnt see a person as their conditions, yes the conditions are necessary to examine for insight and liberation, but a guru seeing your infinite purity and freedom throughout everything. a normal human being can rarely do this. even the kindest, sweetest, most intelligent being if they have not perfected the vision is not a guru. but they may be an excellent teacher along the way, along their own path, and the path of others that are looking for something more.

but this is just to say that i believe a real guru is the rarest most precious gem and you need not even ever meet one to tune into that vision at any point.

 

[zdomerr]

Although it is true that one can be one's own guru or view everything as a teacher, it is also still true that a deeply spiritual person can guide and inspire one who has less spiritual experience.

With that said, who'd like to be my guru?

 

[methylatedghosts]

Although it is true that one can be one's own guru or view everything as a teacher, it is also still true that a deeply spiritual person can guide and inspire one who has less spiritual experience.

With that said, who'd like to be my guru?

At first I read this around the other way...

"It is also true that a person with less spiritual experience can guide a deeply spiritual person"

Should this also be considered?

 

[The Wizard]

I learned alot myself, and by myself. But, of course I have had the quietude and isolation to practice my meditations and make observations. I dont think it would of happened any better through any other way. But, I am always wondering where those meditation retreats are so I may meet others of same grounds and perhaps just go away for a while, hehe!

 

[zenzero]

Friend The Wizard,

I am always wondering where those meditation retreats are so I may meet others of same grounds and perhaps just go away for a while, hehe!

Organised meditations are held every other day of the year in some parts of the globe by different organised religions [dharmic] and the net offers most such info. except that they are mostly on chargeable basis besides other expenses.
If interested just google for it.

Love & rgds

 

[Engyo]

I learned alot myself, and by myself. But, of course I have had the quietude and isolation to practice my meditations and make observations. I dont think it would of happened any better through any other way. But, I am always wondering where those meditation retreats are so I may meet others of same grounds and perhaps just go away for a while, hehe!

Living in NoCal you should have absolutely no problem finding meditation groups and retreats.............Google is your friend. Pick up any of the Buddhist magazines. Local interest newspapers. Lot of info available.