Ok, thinking of making it easier for my teacher to appear...

Kikujiro

So, for those who found teachers.

What did you do to find them?
What were you looking for in them?
What can you realistically expect from a teacher/lessons?

What's been limiting me before has been the fact that I don't have a job and thus little in the way of funds and I don't drive, so getting around can sometimes be less than simple. But I've started getting sick of picking from the online and literary Buddhist buffet, and recently learned about how the buddha taught many, many, many different methods to different people depending on there situation. I realised I can't really taylor my learning like a teacher maybe could a teaching.

Anything to watch out for?

Thanks!

kaya

More of the buffet:
http://www.viewonbuddhism.org/spiritual_teacher_guru.html

NamelessRiver

I don't have a teacher but I'll try to answer anyways.

What did you do to find them?

It is probably easier to search the internet for centers. It's not likely many people get an indication from another person as a starting point.

What were you looking for in them?

As when we are looking for just about any kind of teacher, you have to know that the person is more accomplished than you and that he is able to help you make progress, at least by being an example, and that your "personalities match". If he can't help you, even if he is very accomplished, what is the point? For me, I would rather have a tough and demanding teacher then a "oh, you are making improvement, don't worry" type of teacher.

What can you realistically expect from a teacher/lessons?

You will start a relationship with someone that should question your posture and understanding of life. You might not always agree, you might get mad, you might get frustrated at times, you might question your faith as you put it into practice. YOU will be also teaching your teacher, even if you don't notice.

Anything to watch out for?

People that just pay lip service to the Dharma and don't put it into practice, and then try to teach other people, for one thing.

People that just give lessons for an audience and don't tend to their students individually or at least give them an opportunity for a more direct relationship. If that is the case you might as well just stick to books and internet.

People who just follow hollow rituals and expect you to do the same.

Palzang

One finds a teacher by creating the causes for your teacher to appear for you. Sound too New Agey for you? Well, sorry, but that's the way it works. We find our teachers after many lifetimes of praying for our teacher to come into our lives, or, conversely, after praying for relief from the suffering of cyclic existence (they're not different). So while you may search the internet or visit all kinds of centers or whatever, the real search is conducted internally by renouncing samsara (i.e. our ordinary way of viewing "reality") and yearning for liberation.

Palzang

Kikujiro

Palzang wrote: »

One finds a teacher by creating the causes for your teacher to appear for you. Sound too New Agey for you? Well, sorry, but that's the way it works.

No. I don't find it new agey. Considering the title was:

"Ok, thinking of making it easier for my teacher to appear..."

..how could I?

Palzang

Well, I wasn't specifically addressing you there, just the general readership. Part of the minefield of the written word...

Palzang

Jason

I found my first teacher by walking into the closest temple near my house.

silverstein

Palzang wrote: »

One finds a teacher by creating the causes for your teacher to appear for you. Sound too New Agey for you? Well, sorry, but that's the way it works. We find our teachers after many lifetimes of praying for our teacher to come into our lives, or, conversely, after praying for relief from the suffering of cyclic existence (they're not different). So while you may search the internet or visit all kinds of centers or whatever, the real search is conducted internally by renouncing samsara (i.e. our ordinary way of viewing "reality") and yearning for liberation.

Palzang

With all due respect not everything in life is mean't to be difficult.

Palzang

Uh, I don't follow you, sil.

Palzang

silverstein

Well I may have mis-intrepreted your message but it seems like finding a teacher has to be difficult? or are you just saying you know when you have the right one for you?

Palzang

The difficulty of it is up to you (not you personally, just you in general). I'm just saying the real cause for finding a teacher comes from within. You can do all the google searches you want and never find your teacher if you don't generate the proper motivation first, i.e. the desire to end suffering in the world for oneself and others (although initially the thought of benefiting others may not be there yet, which is OK, it'll come...). I would just like to add that one should always keep in mind that it takes a tremendous amount of merit just to be born as a human being, so the hard work is really already done. We have the faculties to hear the Dharma and to practice it already. All that is required really is to turn the mind to doing it, which in itself isn't always easy. Depends a lot on how much suffering you've experienced in this life, I'd say.

Palzang

silverstein

Thanks for that Palzang, It's clearer to me now. I have one question for you.

Out of all the time I've read and studied about Buddhism, I've never felt the need for a teacher, is that quite normal?

Palzang

Yes, it is. But if you think about it, it's kind of like the alcoholic who thinks he can cure of himself of his alcoholism without help. We're all addicted to samsara, to desire, and we've been addicted since time out of mind. As my teacher puts it, trying to attain liberation without a teacher is like walking through a room full of obstacles in the dark. How much easier it would be if you turned on the light (i.e. walked your path with the assistance of a teacher)!

Of course, teacher or no, you still have to, as the Buddha said, work out your own enlightenment. All a teacher can do is point the way for you. And I think there is a time when you're first getting acquainted with Buddhism where not having a teacher is good because you need to figure out what it's all about and whether it's for you or not. But I think at a certain point it becomes a necessity. I know everyone doesn't agree with that, but that's just my humble opinion.

Palzang

silverstein

I see what you are saying, I have questioned it many times but feel more drawn to it than ever before.

No one is going to know everything so I see what you mean about a teacher being a neccessity at some point, I have often thought about going to find one somewhere.

Palzang

I think it's really up to you when you get to that point - or not. It's not like something you should do, but generally I think it's a good idea when you feel you're ready for that next step.

Palzang

silverstein

Thanks Palzang, much appreciated.