Module 11: Walking the Path: Foundations for Lifelong Practice & Growth · The Buddha’s Path
Finding a Spiritual Teacher
David Oromith · 63 minutes · recorded August 30, 2023
This talk on finding a spiritual teacher opens with a short guided meditation in which we rest attention on the sensations of breathing. David traces the teacher's role from early Buddhism's oral tradition to today's very different Western situation, then sets out the levels of teacher, from local dharma teacher to root teacher, the qualities to look for in each, and the three faulty attitudes a student should avoid. Questions from viewers are answered throughout in the chat.
Having a spiritual teacher has always been treated as an important part of the Buddhist path, and yet many of us are unsure how to find a genuine one, or what to look for in a mentor or a guide. This is a recording of a talk David gave on Insight Timer Live in August 2023, on the ins and outs of seeking out and connecting with an authentic teacher today.
Teacher and student Compassion (karuna) Guru yoga