Evaluating Spiritual Teachers (

Рет қаралды 1,269

3 жыл бұрын

Having a spiritual teacher in your life is very significant. Having a bad one or one that is ill-suited for you, in particular, can be harmful. B. Alan Wallace considers issues to think about when evaluating spiritual teachers, drawing upon his decades of experience as a translator to the Dalai Lama and other teachers as well as his own experience as a teacher.
Alan Wallace is a leading figure in the intersection between science and contemplative disciplines such as the Buddhist practice of meditation. In addition to translating for the Dalai Lama for 14 years, Alan is a prolific author and teaches around the world.
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Recorded in Portola Valley, California. alanwallace.org
Alan Wallace the author of numerous books including:
- Meditations of a Buddhist Skeptic amzn.to/3nYd4qD
- Mind in the Balance: Meditation in Science, Buddhism, and Christianity amzn.to/3bH4YwR
- Embracing Mind: The Common Ground of Science and Spirituality amzn.to/3q7HhpO
- Fathoming the Mind: Inquiry and Insight in Dudjom Lingpa's Vajra Essence amzn.to/3weKogZ
- Dreaming Yourself Awake: Lucid Dreaming and Tibetan Dream Yoga for Insight and Transformation amzn.to/3EKqvRJ

Пікірлер: 6

@priyajain6137 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful Episode. Loved it.

@nasrinaktershapla3044 3 жыл бұрын

That was excellent.

@petrairene 3 жыл бұрын

You forgot the potential problem with a competent teacher from a totally different culture who just doesn't really understand our western psychological makeup who gives advice that is not adequate for that person because of the different cultural background.

@DharmaTime-is-now 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your thoughtful observation. I’ve seen that happen also. Particularly where students have medical issues they’re relating to, I’ve been very skeptical that reciting whatever or making offerings to whenever will really serve the student. In no situation did I ever hear the teacher say Do everything your medical doctor says and then ...

@petrairene 3 жыл бұрын

@@DharmaTime-is-now Honestly, my personal opinion about the western medical system isn't that great and if I can I avoid it. Had too many not good to abysmal experiences with a lot of it. I got my ulcerative colitis under control with Tibetan medicine, diet change (the western professor at the university hospital told me that there is no hope this could do significant good) and medicine buddha mantra. I have been symptom free or very low symptom without any anti inflammatories for the last 1.5 years. Would I try that with cancer, after an accident or with a raging infection? Nope. These no longer have a "soft" off switch, but for the rest, I know so many people where modern medicine with their pharmaceutical products and surgery has zero answer to their problems. And I particularly don't like the general attitude of most of the western medical personnel.

@yoya4766 2 жыл бұрын

@@petrairene Well explained, I agree also. With regard cultural differences, each culture holds the other in awe. The checks and balances which occur within a mono culture get thrown out of the window. For instance we can be critical of western medicine. Yet those from poorer countries without free medical care, may aggrandise it. Similarly eastern teachers can be put on a pedastool. Their inflated egos also get seduced by money and liberalism. Whereas in their own culture those traits would be kept in check. They may create dependence just to keep getting the ego fix of devoted followers.