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Tables of Contents for Relating to a Spiritual Teacher
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
Preface
13
1
Initial Contacts between Western Seekers and Tibetan Spiritual Teachers
13
1
The Establishment of Dharma Centers and the Start of Confusion
14
3
Further Forces Leading to Misunderstanding
17
1
The Rise of Unhealthy Relationships
18
1
The Approach Suggested for Revising the Student-Teacher Relationship
19
1
The Present Book
20
3
PART I: SPIRITUAL SEEKERS AND SPIRITUAL TEACHERS
23
78
Cultural Considerations
25
8
The Typical Tibetan Spiritual Seeker in Traditional Tibet
25
1
Joining a Tibetan Monastery or Nunnery in Traditional Tibet
26
1
Joining a Monastery or Nunnery Nowadays in Exile
27
1
Traditional Tibetan Monastic Training
28
1
The Traditional Spiritual Life of Lay Tibetans
29
2
The Contrast with Western Spiritual Seekers
31
2
The Traditional Meaning of a Spiritual Teacher
33
18
The Rectification of Terms
33
1
The Derivation of the Words Guru and Lama
34
1
La as a Cosmic Force
35
1
The Full Original Meaning of a Lama
36
1
Other Uses of the Word Lama
37
1
Reincarnate Lamas: Tulkus and Rinpocheys
38
3
Lamaism and the Traditional Social Role of Tulkus
41
1
``God-Kings''
42
1
Tibetan Humor
43
1
Spiritual Friends
44
1
The Buddhist Concept of Friendship
45
2
Gesheys and Kenpos
47
1
Summary
48
3
The Traditional Meaning of a Spiritual Seeker
51
16
The Implications of the Sanskrit Terms for a Disciple
51
2
The Meaning of Being a Teacher's Getrug
53
1
The Starting Point for Becoming a Disciple
53
2
The Necessity of Correct Understanding and Conviction in Rebirth for a Disciple to Aim Sincerely for Liberation and Enlightenment
55
1
The Necessity of Correct Understanding and Conviction in Rebirth for a Disciple to Reach Even the First Stage of Spiritual Development
56
1
The Place of Conviction in Rebirth in Entering a Disciple-Mentor Relationship
57
1
Entering a Disciple-Mentor Relationship While Aiming for Spiritual Goals Only in This Lifetime or Also for Future Generations
58
1
Stipulations for a Beginner Disciple to Aim Provisionally for Nontraditional Goals
59
1
The Difference between Becoming a Disciple of a Spiritual Mentor and Becoming a Client of a Therapist
60
3
Inappropriate Usage of the Term Disciple
63
1
The Realistic Attitude of an Authentic Disciple
64
3
The Different Types of Spiritual Teachers and Spiritual Seekers
67
14
Premises
67
1
Terminology
68
1
Buddhism Professors
69
1
Dharma Instructors
70
1
Meditation or Ritual Trainers
71
1
Spiritual Mentors
71
1
Refuge or Vow Preceptors
72
2
Mahayana Masters
74
1
Tantric Masters
75
2
Root Gurus
77
1
Progressing through Graded Relationships with Spiritual Teachers
78
1
Summary
79
2
The Need for Various Levels of Spiritual Teachers on the Sutra Path
81
12
The Need for a Buddhism Professor
81
1
The Need for a Dharma Instructor
82
1
The Need for a Meditation or Ritual Trainer
82
1
The Need for a Spiritual Mentor
82
3
The Need for a Combination of Sources of Inspiration
85
1
How Sources of Inspiration Work Together
86
1
The Relation between a Spiritual Mentor and Buddha-Nature
87
1
How Inspiration Activates Buddha-Nature
88
1
Inspiration from Oral Transmission
89
4
The Special Need for a Spiritual Mentor in Highest Tantra
93
8
The Special Role of Oral Transmission in Tantra
93
1
Diverse Methods for Inspiring Disciples
94
1
The Deepest Need for a Tantric Master
95
1
Clear Light Mind as a Type of Buddha-Nature
96
1
The Inner Guru
96
2
The Need for a Root Guru
98
1
The Ultimate Aim of Progressive Relationships with Spiritual Teachers
98
1
Summary and Conclusion
99
2
PART II: THE DYNAMICS OF A HEALTHY STUDENT-TEACHER RELATIONSHIP
101
80
Establishing a Relationship with a Spiritual Teacher
103
12
Evaluating Tantric Sources Concerning the Disciple-Mentor Relationship
103
1
The Intended Audience for Graded-Path Texts
104
1
Evaluating Material from the Graded-Path Texts
105
1
Different Levels of Guru-Meditation Taught in Graded-Path Texts
105
2
The Qualities of a Spiritual Teacher
107
1
Thorough Examination
108
3
The Qualities of a Spiritual Seeker
111
1
Formalizing a Disciple-Mentor Relationship
112
1
Expectations in a Disciple-Mentor Relationship
112
3
Sutra-Level Guru-Meditation
115
14
The Applicability of the Meditation
115
1
Focusing on Good Qualities While Not Denying Shortcomings
115
1
The Analogy with Looking out a Window at a Passerby
116
1
How to Meditate on a Mentor's Good Qualities
117
1
The Definition of Believing
118
1
The Three Ways of Believing That a Mentor Has Good Qualities
119
1
The Constructive State of Mind That Results from Believing a Fact
120
1
The Relation between Believing a Fact to Be True and Liking It
121
1
Being Firmly Convinced of a Fact
122
2
Appreciating the Kindness of a Mentor
124
1
Requesting Inspiration
125
1
The Seven-Part Invocation
126
1
Practicing Guru-Meditation Before Finding a Spiritual Mentor
127
2
Relating to a Spiritual Mentor with Actions
129
10
Translating Trust and Respect for a Mentor into Actions
129
1
Supporting the Work of a Mentor
129
2
Helping a Mentor
131
2
Showing Respect
133
1
Taking the Advice of a Mentor
134
1
Honoring the Authority of a Mentor
135
2
Emulating a Mentor
137
1
Rectifying the Term Devotion
137
2
Overcoming Emotional Blocks in Developing Trust, Appreciation, or Respect
139
12
Applying Sutra-Level Guru-Meditation to a Faulty or Abusive Teacher
139
1
Reviewing a Teacher's Faults and Mistakes
140
1
Creating a Protected Mental Space for Addressing Spiritual Wounds
141
1
Examining the Appearances That the Mind Creates
142
1
The Analogy with Contextual Therapy for Victims of Abuse
143
3
Teachers Involved in Controversy
146
1
Overcoming Emotional Blocks in Appreciating Kindness
147
1
Overcoming Emotional Blocks in Showing Respect
148
3
Seeing a Mentor As a Buddha
151
14
The Relation between a Mentor's Functioning As a Buddha and Being a Buddha
151
2
Mentally Labeling a Mentor As a Physician or As a Buddha
153
1
The Nonliteral Use of the Label Buddha
154
1
Progressive Levels of Interpretation
155
2
The Meaning of a Tantric Master's Being a Buddha
157
2
Viewing One Phenomenon Validly from Different Viewpoints
159
1
The Meaning of Inseparable
160
1
Inseparable Impure and Pure Appearances
160
2
The Basis for Labeling As a Buddha the Pure Appearances of a Mentor
162
3
Advanced Points Concerning Seeing That a Tantric Master Is a Buddha
165
16
Basis, Pathway, and Resultant Viewpoints
165
1
The Viewpoints Typical of the Four Tibetan Lineages
165
2
Undefined Usage of the Terms Impure and Pure
167
1
Beyond Good or Bad
167
1
Transforming Negative Circumstances into Positive Ones
168
2
During an Empowerment, Seeing That a Tantric Master Is a Buddha
170
1
Seeing That a Tantric Master Is a Buddha in Gelug Empowerments
171
2
Causal, Pathway, and Resultant Empowerment
173
1
A Tantric Master's Being Inseparable from a Buddha Versus a Tantric Master's Having Attained Enlightenment
174
1
Seeing All Teachers As Buddhas
174
1
Actualizing Enlightenment through Seeing That a Tantric Master Is a Buddha
175
1
Specific Explanation Regarding Empowerment and Generation Stage Practice
176
1
Complete Stage Practice
177
1
Introduction by a Tantric Master to the Nature of the Mind
178
1
Guru-Meditation Relevant for Beginners in the West
179
2
PART III: UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH SPIRITUAL TEACHERS
181
72
Overdependence and Rebellion
183
12
Avoiding Overdependence on Others for Spiritual Energy
183
1
Cultural Factors in Western and Tibetan Overdependence
184
2
Overdependence Based on a Western Orientation toward Ethics
186
1
Overdependence on Guided Meditation
187
2
Overdependence on Having All Questions Answered for Oneself
189
1
The Issue of Submission
190
1
Gender Prejudice
191
1
The Influence of Ancient Greek Thought on Being an Individual
192
1
Tension over the Need to Be Creative
193
2
Transference and Regression
195
10
Description of the Phenomena in Classical Psychoanalysis
195
1
The Phenomena in Disciple-Mentor Relationships
196
1
Resolution of Problems Arising from Transference and Degenerative Regression
197
1
Further Steps in the Resolution Process, Suggested by Contextual Therapy
198
1
Pleasing a Spiritual Mentor
198
2
Deeper Resolution through Voidness Meditation
200
2
Countertransference
202
1
Responding Maturely to Countertransference
203
1
Summary
204
1
Fear in a Disciple-Mentor Relationship
205
14
Fear of ``A Breach of Guru-Devotion''
205
1
Self-Destructive Actions Regarding a Spiritual Mentor
206
1
Transgressing Tantric Vows Concerning Interaction with a Mentor
207
2
Hellish States of Mind
209
1
Fear within a Western Context
210
1
The Reason for the Descriptions of the Hells
211
1
Fear Related to Issues Concerning Dharma-Protectors and Tulku Candidates
212
1
Deciding Extremely Obscure Issues
213
2
Resolution of the Disciples' Dilemmas
215
1
Deciding Sensitive Issues Pertaining to Karma and Discipline
216
3
Blocks in Opening Oneself to a Spiritual Mentor
219
10
Paranoia and Vulnerability
219
2
Systems Analysis
221
1
Openness from the Side of the Mentor
222
1
Dealing with the Death of a Mentor
223
1
Inflation, Projection, and Idealization
224
1
Devotion
225
1
A Mentor's Actions As Inconceivable
226
2
The Difference between Seeing That a Mentor Is a Buddha and Projection
228
1
Generational and Life Cycle Issues
229
24
Stages in the Contemporary Life Cycle
229
1
Stages in the Spiritual Life History of Baby Boomers
230
2
The Spiritual Life History of the Me Generation
232
1
The Spiritual Path of Generation X
233
1
Avoiding Problems Typified by Provisional Adulthood
234
2
Avoiding Problems Typified by First Adulthood
236
1
Avoiding Problems Typified by Second Adulthood
236
1
Those in Second Adulthood Can Help Inspire Provisional Adults
237
2
Epilogue: Relating to a Western Spiritual Teacher
239
1
Authorization of a Western Spiritual Teacher
239
1
Following a Middle Path in Intercultural Student-Teacher Relationships
239
1
A Student-Teacher Relationship between Two Westerners
240
1
Showing Respect to a Western Spiritual Teacher
241
1
Generational Differences in Ways of Showing Respect
242
1
The Disciple-Mentor Relationship in the Context of the Practical Realities of a Dharma Center
243
1
A Student Working Personally with or Indirectly for a Western Teacher
244
2
A Disciple / Assistant Living with a Western Mentor as an Apprentice
246
3
Western-Style Friendship between a Disciple and a Mentor
249
1
Western-Style Life-Partnership between a Disciple and a Mentor
250
1
Conclusion
251
2
Appendix: Summary of the Stages of Expanded Sutra-Level Guru-Meditation
253
4
Bibliography
257