Which raises an interesting point . . .

• Welcome to a Dialogue on Meditation in Psychotherapy with James Spira by John Grohol, 3/9/98
  • Meditation in Psychotherapy: Major Issues to Consider by Jim Spira, Ph.D., M.P.H., 4/13/98
    • Meditation in Behavioral Medicine by James Supplee, 1/1/99
      
      

Should PROFESSIONAL standards be lower than PERSONAL standards when discussing meditation. In the traditional Rinzai Zen tradition, the Roshi only transmits "Inka" (or passing the educational torch to a student), when that student surpasses the teacher in clarity. Now it is clear that we are not at that level. But the principle seems to hold true: If the instructor has only a couple weeks of training, what they teach will be "relaxation" or "attitude about meditation" which is often what is the results I've seen of such trainings. On the other hand, if an instructor has years of personal practice with a teacher who has made a life-long commitment to meditation practice, then what is transmitted to the students/patients is bound to far more than mere "attitude."

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