"We only teach what we want to learn, really." said Sean Corn - yogini founder of Off the mat, Into the world
May we keep this in mind as we travel the Universe and encounter others who try to teach us that which, hopefully, they have learned by experience.
It is wonderful to see, frankly, after more than a decade of contributing to Los Cabos evolution, that a trend in Wellness has arise, and that in tandem to the International flourishing of Yoga & meditation practices, a vast array of therapies and scientific knowledge is being integrated to the community in the model of workshops, webinars, festivals and wellness retreats.
Naturally, the question arises. How to choose which event is best for me?
In an era, where money has become an essential need, and so almost every social activity unavoidably is connected to the direction of how to make it profitable, how do we know that what is being presented to us in the form of an opportunity to learn about health and wellbeing has a genuine foundation in universal values that serve real happiness, real harmony, real peace, real well being? Because after all, wellbeing is measured by our volition to create wellbeing for others, so why would we charge money to share something we know about how to live in wellness? Shouldn't this teachings be free of charge, for the benefit of humanity? On the other hand, is it not awesome that sustainable businesses and enterprises dedicate themselves to create a better world, in wellness and right livelihood, instead of hollow manufacturing of more material things that not only polute the planet, but our own very minds with the vice of hoarding consumerism, which perpetuates discontent at the deepest level of the mind?
A simple rule of discrimination applies: Connect with your breath and observe your sensations. In other words, observe without movement, and do your best. Give yourself time for reflexion.
Is this teaching of benefit to all? Are those who teach wellbeing in alignment with their teachings? Is the teacher teaching what has been learned by experience, or does the teacher teaches what has been learned by intellectual assimilation? Nothing wrong to it, but knowing the difference will orient us when we are trying to decide what is best for us, at the moment of our own wellness evolution. What is the story behind the shaman? What is the intention of the guru? What is my intention? Are these intentions aligned with the principles of the practice been shared? Is this teaching for the benefit of all? Once I l take this course, how will it help me be of service to others' quest of wellness? These are all fair and clear questions, don't you think?
In Wellness, as in every other field of modern commerce, purity of intent and honesty is what makes the difference. So next time you are invited to participate in a course, seminar, webinar, class, retreat, or receive a service dedicated to cultivate your health and wellbeing remember: in the eternal search of happiness, the ultimate guru, the shaman of shamans, will always teach you this: the teacher is within. Listen to your inner voice, observe how you feel, honor how you feel, and remember your intention.
May all beings be happy, peaceful, and liberated from all suffering.
