This book explores the sources of misunderstanding and reexamines traditional Buddhist teachings to receal methods that can heal wounds.

Explores the reasons why sexual transgressions between spiritual teachers and student occur, when this type of relationship becomes a problem, and how to avoid it from happening.

The spiritual journey is perhaps the most personal experience of our lives—but does that mean we have to go it alone? With The Guru Question, award-winning author Mariana Caplan brings you a unique and much-needed guide for deciding whether you need a dedicated mentor to help illuminate your path to awakening—and if so, how to navigate the deep complexities of the guru-disciple relationship. For those seeking a teacher worthy of their trust and devotion, or anyone who has been frustrated by their experiences with a spiritual teacher, Caplan offers a candid, practical, and daringly personal examination of the student-teacher dynamic, including: Are you ready to be a student? If and when you should consider making a commitment to a spiritual teacher The path of the conscious learner—how to retain your power and autonomy while accepting a mentor's authority Tips for the wounded seeker—the valuable lessons we learn from our encounters with false teachers Spiritual scandals and predatory gurus—guidance for avoiding the inherent pitfalls in the student-teacher relationship How to recognize the inner light of divinity as it manifests in the imperfect human guise of your teacher—and yourself In a time when a distrust of authority has been proven to be a healthy trait, we tend to be justifiably suspicious of those who present themselves as gurus and spiritual masters. Drawing upon her knowledge as both a scholar of mysticism and lifelong practitioner of spiritual traditions, Mariana Caplan helps readers develop the discernment that is crucial when seeking an authentic teacher—and reveals the immeasurable rewards that can come from having a trustworthy guide on the spiritual path.

About one thousand years ago, the great Indian pandit and yogi, Dipamkara Shrijnana (Atisha), was invited to Tibet to re-establish the Buddhadharma, which had been suppressed and corrupted for almost two centuries. One of Atisha's main accomplishments in Tibet was his writing of the seminal text, A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment, in which he extracted the essence of all 84,000 teachings of the Buddha and organized them into a clear, step-like arrangement that makes it easy for any individual practitioner to understand and practice the Dharma. This genre of teachings is known as lam-rim, or steps of the path, and forms an essential part of every school of Tibetan Buddhism. In this book, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives a commentary to not only Atisha's revolutionary work but also to Lines of Experience, a short text written by Lama Tsongkhapa, who was perhaps the greatest of all Tibetan lam-rim authors. In bringing together Atisha, Lama Tsongkhapa and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, this book offers readers one of the clearest and most authoritative expositions of the Tibetan Buddhist path ever published, and it is recommended for those at the beginning of the path, the middle and the end. This book is made possible by kind supporters of the Archive who, like you, appreciate how we make these teachings freely available in so many ways, including in our website for instant reading, listening or downloading, and as printed and electronic books. Our website offers immediate access to thousands of pages of teachings and hundreds of audio recordings by some of the greatest lamas of our time. Our photo gallery and our ever-popular books are also freely accessible there. Please help us increase our efforts to spread the Dharma for the happiness and benefit of all beings. You can find out more about becoming a supporter of the Archive and see all we have to offer by visiting our website. Thank you so much, and please enjoy this book.

How can a relationship with a spiritual guide aid a seeker on the path to enlightenment? Author Greg Bogart details the challenges and problems that arise in this unique student-teacher relationship, from the process of chosing a spiritual guide through the end of the association and the separation from the teacher. There is a natural cycle that both teacher and student follow in the process of discipleship, including -- Initiation and testing of the student -- Attainment, enlightenment and separation -- Finding the teacher within and becoming a teacher for others Author Bogart takes a positive and highly nuanced psychological and intellectual approach to every area of discipleship, including the ethical ramifications of every interaction between student and teacher. For example, he thoroughly discusses -- How to seek and choose a teacher -- The importance of the teacher's lineage -- How to recognize healthy and unhealthy forms of merging with the teacher -- The role of the student's ego and personal limitations -- The role of effort and grace in the formation of the connection The Nine Stages of Spiritual Apprenticeship also includes a full overview of the nature of -- and the path to -- discipleship in the major world religions and mystical traditions, including Sufism, Hasidism, Christian mysticism and the major Buddhist sects. Thorough, inclusive, problem-solving, ethical and inherently positive, this is a one-of-a-kind how-to book that will serve all who seek spiritual enlightenment.

Be the Guru is a practical guide for mastering the ultimate form of self-empowerment - becoming your own spiritual teacher. Based on the premise that you already are the guru, this book guides you to remember it, and gives you all the tools you need to reclaim it fully. Growing up in a very traditional society, George Lizos was constantly rejected by both his peers and himself for being gay and different. After a futile two-year attempt to be 'normal' he decided to end his own life. Fortunately, in his darkest moment George saw the light and ventured on a journey of love, forgiveness and spiritual awakening. In this book, he shares his life-saving tools with you. In Be the Guru you will learn how to: - Discover and develop a relationship with your authentic self - Release old unwanted patterns and start afresh - Heal relationships and detach from all forms of negative influence - Create the life you deserve through tried-and-tested manifestation techniques If you're ready to be your potential and lead your own path, this book is for you!

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is America's most significant and authentic contribution to the history of spirituality, says Richard Rohr. He makes a case that the Twelve Steps relate well to Christian teaching and can rescue people who are drowning in addiction and may not even realize it. To survive the tidal wave of compulsive behavior and addiction, Christians must learn to breathe under water and discover God's love and compassion. In this exploration of Twelve Step spirituality, Rohr identifies the Christian principles in the Twelve Steps, connecting The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous with the gospel. He draws on talks he has given for over twenty years to people in recovery and those who counsel and live with people with addictive behavior. Rohr offers encouragement for becoming interiorly alive and inspiration for making one's life manageable for dealing with the codependence and dysfunction (sin) rampant in our society.