The teacher/lineage system in Buddhism (and other spiritual traditions) has continually been getting exposed as the corrupt and harmful spiritual circus it is. However, to dismiss the concept of teachers, or even lineages, altogether is just as harmful to genuine spirituality. 1/
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The idea that spiritual authority is all bullshit is just plain wrong. I don't mean authority in the sense of unquestionable power. I mean that there are clearly some people are more spiritually mature than others, and that are more qualified to individually guide than others. 2/
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We need to find ways to create effective, ethical, and transparent structures and institutions that embrace the indispensable use of qualified teachers. To have a system by which we can discern who is qualified is important. Otherwise the marketplace is a free-for-all. 3/
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This is why lineages were useful in the first place. The problem is that lineages have traditionally not always been subject to oversight and transparency, and the the guru always has the last word. There needs to be accountability and group leadership rather than dictators. 4/
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We need something like a spiritual democratic republic, where people who have a track record of being qualified to teach and morally mature are trusted to train and certify spiritual teachers in both practice and ethics. If any are shown to be corrupt, they are shown the door. 5/
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Replying to @Failed_Buddhist
Ah, you want a cartel. A meditation teacher cartel. Not in the cartel? You can't teach! Want in the cartel? Pay up!
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Replying to @chagmed
Yes, I want a cartel much like the one that makes sure witch doctors don't get as much funding and promotion as actual doctors :)
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Replying to @Failed_Buddhist @chagmed
Of course this assumes the human ability to create a relatively well-functioning system like this for meditation teachers. That assumption may very well be naive. But maybe we can keep experimenting and find out.
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Replying to @Failed_Buddhist
You would make an excellent meditation teacher Have you considered it? The money sucks, but you might one day get a write up in Tricycle or Lion's Roar.
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Although pretty much anyone is qualified to write for Tricycle.
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Replying to @Failed_Buddhist
Tricycle is the Daily Mail of spiritual journalism
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