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Finding a teacher, when and how often?

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:15 am
by innerd00r
Hi all,

My name is Bill and I'm new to the forum, thanks for being here.

I took a Mindfulness course 8 months ago, and since then have been meditating almost daily. Although the course didn't specifically say so, I believe it followed the basic outline of Vipassana technique (it's based on Jon Kabat-Zinn's MIT MBSR course, which having read his books is basically secular Vipassana).

In any case, although I feel secure in my practice (it is what it is what it is), I'm thinking of finding a group in London to sit with for the community aspect (I'm currently checking out Shambhala, who are very nice). But also, I'm thinking that it might be good to find a teacher, and thus to my question:

What is involved in finding and working with a teacher? Do you meet weekly, monthly, just as needed? I'm a bit confused as to what is involved. Also, how does one find one? I know there are groups in London (London Insight for example) but would I just attend a talk, and then ask for a teacher? Or is it more a case of finding a group lead by a teacher and attending until you feel that it's appropriate to formally ask to be taken on as a student? How does one tell if someone would be a good teacher (other than gut feeling, which will of course play a role)?

Sounds like a ridiculous question, but I'm a bit unclear about it tbh.

Thanks in advance for your responses, :)

Bill

Re: Finding a teacher, when and how often?

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 11:14 am
by mikenz66
Welcome Bill!

There are no hard and fast rules about this. I would visit a few places and see how they operate. Many will have group sessions that you can just turn up to.

There is a directory here that may be helpful:
http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/search.ph ... &tradition" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;[]=theravada

Bhikkhu Pesala, who posts regularly here, is in the London area and would presumably be happy to offer some advice:
http://www.aimwell.org/Classes/classes.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Best Wishes,
:anjali:
Mike

Re: Finding a teacher, when and how often?

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 11:55 am
by Ben
Hi Bill and welcome to Dhamma Wheel!
All the best with your own noble search.
kind regards,

Ben

Re: Finding a teacher, when and how often?

Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:37 pm
by innerd00r
Thanks everyone :)

Bill

Re: Finding a teacher, when and how often?

Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 11:31 pm
by Cittasanto
Hi Bill, if distance is not an issue there are some great places outside of london also who have weekly lessons during the weekend, and you can make it a break from the hustle of london.
The Buddhist society has some classes which have visiting teachers form different places each week/month so there is a good veriety of traditions to see there which may make your choice easier, but then charisma of an individual is not always the best indicator.
good journeying!