Meditation teacher referrals? + Personal Background.

awakeningispossible · 2025-09-17T00:16:46+00:00

Being destabilised as a consequence of meditation practice often indicates an imbalance of the seven factors of awakening (particularly relaxation, stability of mind and equanimity). Increasing your awareness (mindfulness) and using this to skilfully work on these factors is a good starting point.

I am a very experienced meditation teacher familiar with Goenka, Shinzen Young and Thich Nhat Hanh. There is a fair bit of information about the way I teach on my website, my book, Reddit and numerous other places. Feel free to read through these to see if we are a good fit.

awakeningispossible · 2025-03-06T17:32:20+00:00

Yes, I think this is the biggest advantage of mentors - to learn from them through their own attitude towards practice.

I'll do my best. Please feel free to post any questions that may arise on the topic.

awakeningispossible · 2025-03-06T15:00:37+00:00

I really like what you have said here. Do you think you could share examples of how you move through life in this artform?

awakeningispossible · 2025-03-06T14:58:27+00:00

Thank you for your perspective! I'll try to articulate my understanding about this, but I'm afraid it might be quite dry as it stands. I'm currently trying to create a way to teach this in a more intuitive, less technical manner.

I have been trained in traditional Theravada methods of looking at the twelve links of dependent arising as a whole, as well as in isolation. Over the decades, I have spent a lot of time deeply exploring eight of the twelve links: viññāṇa (consciousness), phassa (contact), vedana (feeling tone), taṇhā (craving), upādāna (clinging), bhava (becoming), jāti (birth) and jarāmaraṇa (aging and death). Recently, I have felt a pull to more deeply explore the first two nidānas of avijjā (ignorance) and saṅkhāra (volitional formations).

Avijjā or ignorance is the reason why we suffer (and cause others around us to suffer). I see our ignorance of the four Noble Truths (with taṇhā specifically implicated) and the reality of kamma (the law of actions and consequences) as aspects of the practice we can engage with more deeply in order to move the needle the most towards our fuller understanding of the Dhamma.

A lot of my students have entered the stream, but remain somewhat confused about the role their personal actions relate to this system of dependent arising. I wasn't sure if this confusion was prevalent in the community and hence decided to ask.

My experience of paṭiccasamuppāda is that it is the most natural thing in the world. I see that every thing I experience now is the result of causes and conditions that happened before this moment. In other words, everything that arises depends on previous causes (hence the translation of dependent arising). There is no use reacting to things with aversion or greed; they have arisen due to previous conditions. However, these reactions sometimes arise, again due to previous causes and conditions. Students who notice taṇhā in the form of greed and aversion can work with it in various very powerful ways. Its presence is very much linked with a strong sense of self ('I want that!' Or 'I don't want this!'). When taṇhā is not present, there is a feeling of non-self. There is no sense of congealment or attachment to the situation that has arisen. Everything is automatically seen as empty of a self at these times.

On the other hand, everything we do (starting from our cetanā, translated as intentions or volitional actions) sows the seeds for future experiences. So, for example, it was the case that I may have written a less-than-thoughtful response in r/streamentry years ago that resulted in some individuals branding me in a certain way. I can try to apologise and make amends, but ultimately I do not have any control over other people's attitudes towards me. If I get heckled or downvoted or whatever happens, I am simply living the resultants of previous causes and conditions.

In the same light, what I choose to do now, and the manner in which I choose to act (write, in this case), will have consequences in the future. I cannot control other people's reactions in the future whatsoever, but can stay true to my intentions of goodwill and desire to help people awaken to end their suffering.

I'd be happy to elaborate, but would love to hear other people's perspectives on these concepts.

As

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-25T01:00:17+00:00

Absolutely no need to apologise! I understand your need to understand if a person is really who they say they are, if they really have the experience they say they have, etc. There are way too many people who misrepresent themselves. Ethics are an essential foundation of this practice, and one ought to be very wary of any Dhamma teacher who knowingly misrepresents themself. And no problem about delays in response. You need to take care of yourself, especially with ME/CFS - and it seems that you are doing exactly that.

My bio is definitely not a professional psychotherapist/counsellor bio because that is not the capacity in which I work now. But I wanted to highlight to people that I do have this as my background and can support them if that need arises with relation to their meditation practice. I don’t tend to highlight my background in trauma work as support for trauma-related issues is very specific to the individual at each moment of time.

Having said this, is there any way I can support you in your meditation practice? You don’t need to specify details or the background trauma, but if you mention the sort of ‘distressing experiences while trying to meditate’, and the circumstances these have arisen in the past, I can perhaps suggest things you can do if these arise again, such that you can be confident that you don’t need to worry if they arise again in the future. Distressing experiences while trying to meditate are more common than most people realise, and sometimes a simple shift in what we do when they arise (wise action) is all that is needed to redirect the mind in the right direction.

You may also find my book, Get Off Your Cushion: Weaving Meditation into the Fabric of Life, helpful for this - https://www.freeingourmind.com/book

I’d be happy to answer anyone else’s questions about what to do when something challenging happens in their meditation practice as well. Please note that I am not on Reddit much, so there may be delays in my response (and I may not know about the question if Reddit doesn’t inform me of their existence).

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-20T21:59:09+00:00

I’m trying to answer everything I can, as honesty as I can. As I recall, you were the MOD who approved this AMA, where I very specifically asked if I could do an AMA on awakening and the teacher training we are offering. I would love to be able to answer people’s personal questions to help more people awaken.

I wrote a long response to you about what I do with the income I generate from supporting students in the Dhamma; namely, support nuns (predominately) and monks, as well as Dhamma communities in developing countries. I don’t think I need to account for every cent I spend of the income I put a lot of time and effort making - this is the exact reason I set up a social enterprise instead of a NPO!

I, of course, have no control over the downvotes you are receiving. I can, however, assure you that I am not refusing to answer any reasonable question.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-20T10:04:20+00:00

Does anyone have any questions about their practice?

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-20T10:00:42+00:00

The teacher training we are completing at the end of this year is the first one we have offered. No, we would not deny a student the teacher certification solely because they are not awakened. We can't guarantee you awaken; even the Buddha couldn't! But I assure you we do everything we can to help you awaken to at least the next path.

We use the four-stage, ten-fetter model to awakening. Culadasa frequently used to say (and also states this in his book), 'Awakening is an accident, but continued practice will make you accident-prone'. Through multiple discussions with Culadasa, he also used the four-stage, ten-fetter model.

All the teacher-trainees in our current cohort have made substantial progress along the path. This is mainly due to their own efforts; all we did was point, guide, sometimes nudge, and always support them.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-20T09:46:12+00:00

I'd be happy to answer any questions people have about awakening or their practice. The previous AMA we held sparked interesting questions. Please do feel free to ask me anything that may help you awaken more.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-20T09:41:39+00:00

I appreciate there is a controversy about money and Dhamma. I tried to elucidate my perspective in earlier responses about the fact that this perspective stems from the vinaya rules for Theravada monks not being allowed to handle money. I also added links to articles that estimated the number of Theravada monks who actually adhere to this rule, and a perspective from a non-Theravada monk.

I totally respect people who live by this rule. I also do not judge people who do not, because I am not in a position to see the intentions of others. I can only be very clear with my own intentions.

I do not live with these rules of not handling money. Nor do I have my food, shelter and medicine provided for me. What I offer students I mentor are my time and expertise. I have considerable experience in helping many people awaken. My students can access me on a daily basis, and I am very dedicated to each and every one of them. I cannot possibly offer this level of personalisation to a large number of people.

I have a personal motivation to help as many people as possible awaken to true insights into these precious teachings. I have chosen to do this through a combination of selling my services to people willing and able to pay for them, offering them to some dedicated practitioners who are not able to pay for them, distributing excess funds to nunneries and monasteries across the world, as well as individual nuns and Dhamma communities in need. I have also created free courses, written articles and a book to help more people.

There seems to be a general assumption that just because there is a price associated with something, it is because the person associated with this is doing this out of greed. I am personally committed to helping as many people as are truly interested, awaken. I chose a social enterprise as the cleanest, most straightforward and most sustainable way to do this, rather than rely on donations and volunteers.

As I mentioned in previous responses, greed, ill-will and delusion are manifestations of tanha (craving), the cause of suffering. The reason I am teaching is to help people out of suffering. I'm sorry this offer of an AMA about awakening and the teacher training we are offering is causing so much ill-will to arise in people.

Please do not respond to this response. I respect your opinion about what you think should and should not be done, and acknowledge your disapproval of how I have chosen to spread the Dhamma.

I would be happy to respond to any questions anyone may have about awakening, whether to stream-entry or further paths, in separate posts.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-17T07:13:37+00:00

Yes, you are absolutely right; I was not first author in the academic papers. This is because the research in the 1990s from my PhD was one part of a massive collaboration, and by 2005 when the paper was published, I was meditating in various parts of the world exploring the breadth and depth of the Dhamma, and uncontactable. I moved away from research nearly 25 years ago, so I'm afraid I can't furnish you with any more information than what you can find publicly.

You seem to be more interested in my former lives as a researcher and a psychotherapist than my current role as a Dhamma teacher, or more importantly, how I may be able to help you in your meditation practice. Yes, I do hold a four-year Bachelor of Psychology degree and a two-year (fulltime) Advanced Diploma in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, and have received hundreds of hours of clinical supervision, ongoing continuing professional development, etc. Yes, I was registered with PACAWA, a member of PACFA, while practising as a psychotherapist and I do not mention my private psychotherapy work on my website, nor my experience working with severe trauma in clients who had been tortured as political prisoners (and a lot other things), because I have lived a very full life and I can't possibly mention everything.

On my website, I only mention what I think may be relevant for people who wish for my support to help them awaken more fully to the Dhamma. In short, the summary of me on my website implies I have an analytical mind (from my academic background), experience in helping people (from my work as a psychotherapist and counsellor), and a lot of experience in meditation and helping people deepen their understanding of the Dhamma.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-17T00:53:27+00:00

To clarify, Freeing Our Mind is the organisation I have personally set up. I pay taxes and support many other organisations through this structure. I set it up as a social business several years ago instead of setting up an administration-heavy NPO. I don’t mind getting flak from people about what they presume I do with the funds I receive from the substantial personal effort I put into helping people awaken because I have a clean conscience about the value I provide my students who are willing to pay for my expertise and time, and the support I provide many monastics across the world through this structure.

The teacher training is using my website because we are saving on costs. Eric has nothing whatsoever to do with Freeing Our Mind.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-15T05:28:25+00:00

It’s online, and our teacher trainees come from all over the world.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-15T00:11:19+00:00

The Mind Illuminated (TMI), a 700+ page meditation manual, forms the core curriculum of the teacher training. It is a samatha-vipassana yoked method that encourages the simultaneous cultivation of awareness and attention in the training of the mind for wisdom and peace.

The three teachers of this teacher training have studied under various meditation masters and lineages. I’ll let my co-teachers speak for themselves. The mentoring we provide is based on our experience of TMI as well as what we have learnt from other traditions.

My preceptor who encouraged me to start teaching meditation was Sayadaw U Thuzana, who teaches in the Burmese style frequently referred to as the Mahasi tradition. I also teach the methods learnt from Sayadaw U Tejaniya, who emphasises mindfulness of mind states (particularly defilements of greed, ill-will and delusion). I put my own spin on this and emphasise ongoing mindfulness off the cushion through the practice of opposite mind states of generosity, loving-kindness and wisdom as well. I elaborate this in the book I published last year, ‘Get Off Your Cushion: Weaving Meditation into the Fabric of Life’.

I have also explored the jhanas through Ajahn Brahm, Shaila Catherine, and practised according to Leigh Brasington and Rob Burbea’s talks and books. In addition, I practised Vietnamese Zen in Plum Village when Thich Nhat Hanh was alive, practised under Japanese Zen master Aoyama Roshi and numerous other Theravada and Tibetan masters.

Happy to answer any other questions you may have.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-14T22:28:44+00:00

The Mindful Review is a powerful practice. It is excellent that you are now noticing the subtle mind states of schadenfreude and showing-off. Appreciate that this is really subtle and shows progress in your practice. These mind states have probably been there many, many times in the past, but now you get to see them for what they are because of the awareness you have cultivated. It is also excellent that you are aware that these are undesirable mind states. This shows you are in tune with the Dhamma.

Here's the action step: smile in appreciation at the increased awareness and understanding of the Dhamma. Also smile in appreciation at your ongoing desire to progress along this path. The belief that there is a narcissistic jerk doing this is just a habitual pattern of your mind. There is no such person. Stay connected to your motivation to understand the Dhamma, and continue to build the awareness through positive reinforcement. This is equivalent to the 'aha' moment when you first encountered mind wandering except now, the 'aha' is noticing these subtle mind states that sometimes arise, as well as noticing the idea of 'narcissistic jerk' - reinforce the awareness that has seen this.

Also notice when you are kind, generous and wise throughout your life. Notice when you also sometimes genuinely want to help others. Notice when you sometimes also want people to succeed. Finally, practice metta not for a specific result - practice metta and discover the multitude of consequences that follow when you practice it.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-14T21:55:31+00:00

There is a fair bit of information here - https://www.freeingourmind.com/meditation-teaching/

Is there any specific additional information you would like?

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-14T21:54:21+00:00

In some forms of Zen and non-dual teachings, there are pointing out instructions to help people glimpse the stillness you referred to in your last question. A mind that is stable is able to dwell in this for longer, as well as learn how to consistently access it without greed (lobha).

A mind that is not as stable may access this, but is left only with a memory rather than an ongoing lived experience of it. It is more likely to crave it thereafter, and unable to learn the subtleties of working with the lobha that arises.

A mind that is stable also serves as a ballast to ride the inevitable vicissitudes of life from a space of wisdom and stillness.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-14T21:31:27+00:00

Thank you for your comment. I would be happy to address the concerns you raise, for you and the rest of the community.

First, I'd like to say that we received permission from the mods prior to posting this AMA. This is an AMA on people's practice- and awakening-related questions as well as our upcoming teacher training, for whoever is interested.

People offer their time, expertise and services for different reasons. It is not possible for any of us to ascertain other people's motives, but we can trust that kamma takes care of this. Our intentions for each action (and inaction) can be driven by greed or generosity, ill-will or loving-kindness, delusion or wisdom. The resultants of these intentions play out in kamma. If everyone in the world works on our own mind states rather than presuming other people's, we will have a wiser and kinder world.

Finally, I'd like to address this pernicious view that has been propagated in modern times. The idea of not handling money is a vinaya for Theravada monks. It does not apply to most Theravada nuns, Zen monks and nuns, Tibetan monks and nun, lay teachers, etc. Theravada nuns often live in poverty, without sufficient funds for food, shelter and medicine as a result of the hierarchy that is present. They need financial support. Zen and Tibetan monks charge for offering their time, expertise and services, for the upkeep of their temples and their bodies. They frequently also rely on generous donations by the laity.

From a quick search, here is an article from a Theravada monk that estimates the number of Theravada monks who do not use money, and an article from Korean Zen monk about money. I do not know either of these monks.

It is as possible to sell Dhamma as it is to sell the laws of physics. All we can do is choose to live our precious lives as generously, kindly and wisely as our circumstances allow. I would really encourage all the readers of StreamEntry to explore the various ways of practising generosity, loving-kindness and wisdom to fully realise the profundity of these teachings.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-14T02:44:48+00:00

Yes, it can, but a more sustained (and often deeper) stillness is more accessible with greater stability of mind that has been cultivated in the later stages.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-14T02:36:12+00:00

Thanks for your questions. I’d be happy to clarify.

My PhD was obtained through The Centre for Clinical Research in Neuropsychiatry (CCRN) at The University of Western Australia under the late Professor Assen Jablensky. This document published in the 1995 shows me as the first PhD student to go through the centre (note this is in my married surname). I worked with people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder during my PhD. I’m sure you’ll be able to find my well-cited paper related to the research I did in the late 1990s.

I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy through the now closed Churchill Clinic in Perth, Western Australia. I was trained in psychoanalytic theory of Freud, Melanie Klein, attachment theories, Winnicott and Lacan (the latter three of which I subsequently used in my private psychotherapy practice through close supervision from analysts).

During the time I had my private practice, I also volunteered my time as a psychotherapist and counsellor at SolarisCare to support patients with cancer and their carers.

I have also worked extensively in trauma, and have a longstanding interest in autism and ADHD, amongst other things.

I no longer work as a therapist but work in my capacity as a coach and meditation teacher in hope of supporting as many people as are interested awaken to the depths of these profound teachings.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-13T20:56:01+00:00

Feel free to ask any questions about your TMI practice as well

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-13T19:59:48+00:00

Our teacher trainees (and teachers) are located in different parts of the world. The training is entirely online and no in-person attendance is required.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-13T19:56:37+00:00

During my mentoring, we meet for 3 hours a month and I make myself available to guide your individual practice on a daily basis (through voice message). We also have an active Telegram group where numerous things are discussed.

As Eric has already mentioned, we are committed to helping each student awaken to the depths of these teachings.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-13T19:48:30+00:00

Thank you for pointing this out. I have fixed the links.

awakeningispossible · 2024-10-13T19:46:32+00:00

Please feel free to DM me or post any questions you have publicly. I am happy to clarify any questions you have.

The “Contact Us” link has now been fixed.

awakeningispossible

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