In teaching, there is a difference between general discourse and guidance given specifically from a teacher to a student or practitioner. A discourse is universally true and the consumer receives the teaching with the perspective that it is simple truth which needs to be understood but which may or may not have particular applicability to the practitioner at that moment. Guidance contains a specific message for a specific person in the context of a particular need or difficulty, and is meant to illicit a certain response in the student. While truth in guidance is still pristine, the custom packaging may shade this truth and even make it appear to conflict with other teachings from the same teacher. The truth of guidance lies in how well it fits with the need of a student and causes that change, shift, opening, understanding, insight or alteration of practice which the seeker needs at that point.
It is probably of some value to remember this when reading a book like “I Am That” which is a collection of teachings given each as guidance to an individual seeker. The guidance holds truth, but the knife may be twisted to create a specific incision, and the underlying truth may not be something I need at the moment or may not be packaged in a way that has meaning for me. The same is probably true of the open satsang format. Of course, I must still be on guard for the false and remember that real truth is known, and proven, experientially.
About bodhimitta
Professionally, I have had several primary careers in life, starting with a dozen years in the U.S. Army in the Military Intelligence field, then some years as an electronics technician in both the civilian and defense industries, and finally computer software, where I have been engaged for about 25 years.
My first serious attempt to adopt a spiritual path was in 1987 as a result of life gone awry and an attempt to get myself back on track. This took me to forms of Christianity, with which I did not connect well, and after a few years I left this path.
By 2001 I was bitter, demoralized, at odds with the world and everybody in it, including myself. Reaching a breaking point, I again threw myself into an effort to change my life. Being willing to try anything, I investigated several religions, studying their scripture and practicing their ways to one extent or another. Eventually this led to Hinduism and meditation, and seeking meditation training led me to Buddhism where I finally found my spiritual home. My path is born out of suffering and the Buddha speaks to me.
I have been committed to a Buddhist path for 10 years, studied the Pali canon for several years under the guidance of a Buddhist teacher, and sat a number of formal Vipassana and concentration meditation retreats and private retreats, the longest being 5 weeks in private retreat. I've made pilgrimage and spent months experiencing the history and culture of Buddhism in several Asian countries. I believe strongly in practice as a part of life and meet several times a week with people who have an ongoing, engaged practice. My experience is that teachers are found in centers, sangha is found in living rooms, and the dhamma is found in life.
