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I’m loving Bruce’s explantion of the Tao Te Ching, which is a book many people rave about, but which until now has been nothing more than a collection of riddles to me.
However, and I don’t know if this is the right place to discuss this, I have a bit of a ‘crisis’ going on in terms of my relationship with Bruce’s meditation teaching in general, and I’d be interested to hear what others here have to say.
I’ve been doing inner dissolving for about 12 years, ever since I went on a retreat with Bruce in California. Since then I’ve been to several of his meditation teachings, and practiced fairly diligently on a near-daily basis.
I wouldn’t put that much effort in if I didn’t get a lot from the practice, which I do, but I’m concerned that I might need more guidance/support than Bruce is able to provide. And since he is the ONE person teaching the practice (I understand this is gradually changing as some instructors are beginning to teach the basics), it puts me in a difficult position.
It all came to a bit of head last year when Bruce came and taught a 3-week retreat in the UK within about an hour’s drive from where I live, and I was unable to afford to attend. This brought up all sorts of questions for me about whether it’s actually wise and self-compassionate to commit to a deep spiritual pratice with a teacher who is not neccesarily able or willing to provide ongoing, or at least occasional, feedback and support. I’m thinking as I write this of some words in his meditation books about just how important such feedback from a competent teacher actually is!
To add to my confusion, a Dzogchen techer recetly came to my town, and gave teachings and transmission in this other tradition which Bruce seems to esteem very highly. She gave the teachings for donations, which meant that I could afford to attend. Then, off she went, and I now have another deep spiritual practice which I practice without any sangha or feedback from my teacher. (Or should I say the person who taught me? Is Bruce actually “my teacher”?)
In the absence of an open and easy connection with either of these two teachers, I don’t know who I can ask for guidance. Of course, there’s the possibility of self-guidance – and Bruce once said that his techer Liu once responded to his (Bruce’s) question about what to practice with something like “so you’re a baby are you? you need to be told what to practice?” However, the context there as I understand it was daily intensive one-to-one lessons!
Anyway, this is a bit rambling, but I’m curious to know what people here have to say about what I’ve written, especially (but not only) people who have followed the “Path of Bruce” for some years.
On a final note, there is apparently quite a large local community of followers of Namkai Norbu’s Dzogchen techings, and I’m beginning to wonder if the imporance of sangha might lead me to eventually replace my commitment to Bruce’s teachings with this different path.
Robin, I appreciate your comments on continuing with Bruce’s teachings. I notice that he has volumes of material. He tends to explain in long drawn out ways instead of getting the main ideas developed in a more organized fashion. This is the problem I have with following his methods. I have so far found the patience to sift through the often repetitive nature of his ideas and been able to organize them for myself, but there might be a better approach somewhere.
This discussion might get his attention and help focus him for the future.
Hi Robin
I’ve only been doing outer dissolving so far so that may be different, but a couple of thoughts…
I’ve attended a few retreats with Energyarts, and I’ve always found the teaching very clear, even though it always slightly knocks me sideways. I understand what I have been taught, and how to approach it, but in the actual practice I am constantly thwarted or frustrated – I am assuming by layers of internal resistance in the nerves etc..
I’ve found that, for example, even though my alignments are completely off, I know it, and don’t need to be told again and again. I need to practice, and adhere to the basic principles I have been taught. Does that make sense? I know what I need to do – just have to work through it. Part of the genius of Taoist teaching I believe.
Secondly, there has been talk of a retreat centre in Europe. That would make access to instructors cheaper because if there was a more or less constant presence of instructors (including some just even approaching senior instructor status perhaps) then cheaper travel could be planned for. Also, if there was cheap accomodation available, that would be a significant saving. Wow, really hope it happens….
Thankyou and goodbye
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