Rick Archer interviewed on Awareness Explorers
by David “Davidya” Buckland
Recently, Jonathan Robinson and Brian Tom O’Connor of Awareness Explorers interviewed Rick Archer of Buddha at the Gas Pump on the advantages and disadvantages of spiritual teachers. This was a 3-way conversation with the co-hosts.
They emphasized the importance of discrimination and paying attention to your own experience. There is no one-size-fits-all right teacher. Different people relate to different teachers.
Also discussed was the recognition that no guru is perfect. Everyone is a work in progress and there’s always room for refinement and growth.
The trouble starts, Rick said, when teachers and students ignore issues and don’t accept feedback. Yet issues can be nuanced, not black and white.
Each of them shared their general experience with spiritual teachers, then explored group consciousness and the value of community and a sangha. Is the next guru the sangha and does it need a teacher? They also explored a mentor support network for teachers.
Rick introduced the APST and its launch at the Science and Nonduality (SAND) conference this year.
There was also some discussion about spiritual practice, dying the cloth, and having balance in life.
Links:
Listen to the interview
Rick Archer mentioned his SAND talk on the Ethics of Enlightenment, also referred to here previously.
