Mi'sen

Especially difficult in the presence of cultural, linguistic, and stylistic barriers. The contemporary practice of teachers flying all over the world, and being able to spend little time with a student over the course of a year, add to existing barriers.

The cognitive burden of genuine Vajrayana practice is high, the learning curve is steep, so unless one is willing to learn the language and move where teachers are readily accessible, it will be difficult.

I've observed is that guru yoga is easily hijacked by ego, especially in the West, where students are accustomed to thinking in terms of theistic deities.

While I cannot say that there are no benefits to outer forms of guru yoga, my understanding is that the most benefit is derived when the inner guru is revealed in the process of working with the teacher and practices.

Absent even a conceptual understanding that the practice is about training in awareness, it is too easy for the path to condense into religion, which, yes, may benefit, but doesn't cut through reification.

Further, when the teacher's behavior is indulgent or harmful, the cognitive dissonance this cultivates can lead a student to abandon the path altogether. I have seen this happen many times.

I often wish Vajrayana had something like the Catholic Catechism - an accessible summary of essential points, to dispel doubts and confusion. I have often observed students stop practicing due to a lack of confidence in their understanding.

When I've discussed this with friends, they often bring up the topic of crazy wisdom. I then ask if crazy wisdom is skillful in this age when the minds of beings are so coarse. Refined conduct may be more appropriate in these times.