man, my life might've been different if this post had existed in 2018. thank you very much for writing this! the two of you very precisely answered a question that's been haunting me for years
basically "how could someone even in principle be a spiritual teacher without becoming a cult leader," where by "becoming a cult leader" i mean various things but particularly using charisma to dominate people. this was not something i saw anybody seriously worry about until i started using twitter but it was, uh, something i ran into personally, on both the giving and receiving ends, and was quite terrified of (both giving and receiving) for a long time. it's a relief to see someone just lay out the problems with it and firmly state that it's not necessary. it really does make things more boring and people less creative!
Thanks for the transcript (good idea!), and from scanning I’m now listening
Very interesting to hear Charlie’s perspective on the developing student:teacher/student:student dynamics and ways to avoid pitfalls, and likewise how they’re thinking a bit about transmission. Helpful perspectives to reflect on I think.
I know someone who is currently stepping into a new/more central teaching role, so this all feels pertinent in my community also.
man, my life might've been different if this post had existed in 2018. thank you very much for writing this! the two of you very precisely answered a question that's been haunting me for years
Glad it was useful!
I'm curious what the question was (but I realize you might prefer not to say).
basically "how could someone even in principle be a spiritual teacher without becoming a cult leader," where by "becoming a cult leader" i mean various things but particularly using charisma to dominate people. this was not something i saw anybody seriously worry about until i started using twitter but it was, uh, something i ran into personally, on both the giving and receiving ends, and was quite terrified of (both giving and receiving) for a long time. it's a relief to see someone just lay out the problems with it and firmly state that it's not necessary. it really does make things more boring and people less creative!
Ah, very interesting! Would you be OK with my restacking this, or would you prefer that it remain buried in the comment thread?
no worries at all, public things are public!
Thanks for the transcript (good idea!), and from scanning I’m now listening
Very interesting to hear Charlie’s perspective on the developing student:teacher/student:student dynamics and ways to avoid pitfalls, and likewise how they’re thinking a bit about transmission. Helpful perspectives to reflect on I think.
I know someone who is currently stepping into a new/more central teaching role, so this all feels pertinent in my community also.
I love the prompt „what is there to learn?“
makes all the difference!