Description

TransmissionReceiving the Living Wisdom of Spiritual TeachersThe Gift of Spiritual Awakening—from One Heart to AnotherWhat is transmitted from a spiritual teacher to a student? The possibilities of love and freedom, of living in a joyful heart. Extraordinary spiritual teachers empower us, pointing us towards our own awakening. In their presence, we can feel the qualities of enlightenment rather than just hearing about them, and we are inspired to see in a new way.With Transmission, author and teacher Jack Kornfield shares eight sessions of in-depth teachings illuminating the student-teacher relationship. Through a treasure trove of personal stories about the Dalai Lama, Chögyam Trungpa, Dipa Ma, Ajahn Chah, and other masters, we see how teachers embody the many facets of the jewel of enlightened consciousness—including humor, discipline, humility, joyousness, uncanny perspicacity, and unfathomable compassion—and how we too can fully awaken these qualities in ourselves.Exploring such topics as devotion, the tender heart of sadness, meditation, and patience, Jack reveals the power of opening one’s heart to a true spiritual teacher as well as the potential pitfalls and challenges of the teacher-student relationship. With warmth, humor, and practical advice—including what to do if there are no spiritual teachers near your home—Transmission opens possibilities for anyone to deepen, practice, and awaken.    Highlights    Do we need teachers on the spiritual path?    The essence of relationship to a spiritual teacher    What teachers most want from their students    Surrendering to something beyond ego    The humanity and humility of true teachers    How we “transfer” or project onto teachers    Experiencing conflict with spiritual teachers    Steering clear of cults and corruption    When teachers don’t meet our expectations