Confluence Countdown wrote a great article on the plethora of fallen gurus in the news.
At our workshop last month at Ashtanga Yoga
New York with both Eddie Stern and Robert Moses (reminder: tick tick tick on going to India this summer with Namarupa), Eddie offered a pretty simple formula for not getting caught up in a guru-kerfuffle. (We also had thisformula from Sivananda.) It’s this:
The teachings are what’s important. The guru is a vessel for the teachings. And they are, in the end, human. And thus fallible — even inevitably fallible.
But the teachings aren’t. The points being made aren’t. The lessons and the path and the guidance aren’t. (I recognize one could argue this — but that’s a different point; this is meant within the traditions in which we are acting.)
Don’t confuse the messenger for the message. And don’t dismiss the message because of the messenger’s faults.
I agree and would like to add that it is not about perfection, it is about honesty.
Example of Dishonesty: Teacher advocates a 6 day a week yoga practice. Tells all their students that they practice 6 days a week and jumps on students who miss practices. In actuality, this person does not practice 6 days a week
Example of Honesty: Teacher advocates a 6 day a week yoga practice. Encourages students to show up on a practice days,however, when asked, will openly admit that even though they strive to practice 6 days a week,that sometimes it just doesn't happen
I don't have trouble with teachers who admit that they are not perfect, own up to their imperfections but still expect a high standard from me. I only have trouble with teachers who pass themselves off as something they are not and don't own up to their imperfections. Those are the people I will not practice with.
Recent Comments