Speaking Openly Peer 2 Peer YouTube Series Kicks Off with Miranda Macpherson!
The ASI has launched a new series of videos called “Speaking Openly Peer 2 Peer” where we have open, honest and transparent discussions covering a range of topics within the realm of spiritual integrity.
The first two episodes feature Jac O’Keeffe and Miranda Macpherson discuss the ethical responsibility that comes with endorsing teachers, teaching spirituality in a Western vs Eastern culture, also explore the dangers of teachers believing we/they are beyond personal growth and the importance of both acknowledging and working on our/their own psychological blind spots.
We hope you enjoy these two videos, and the entire series as it unfolds! Your comments are welcome below 🙂
3 Comments
Thanks, Jac & Miranda
Really enjoyed the conversation. Many excellent points, including about having normal friends. I’ve found that very good for balance but it does have to be cultured. I’ve known too many spiritual teachers who became isolated and had trouble relating to normal people. Worse, when their shadows came up, they were not open to feedback and became more siloed. All to the detriment of students. Worse still if they were unconscious about power dynamics and cultured co-dependency. I’ve been contacted by such students – they knew there was serious issues but they couldn’t leave them…
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Knowing your skill areas and weaknesses is very important. The ASI has helped me more clearly define such boundaries, like when it’s time to refer people to a therapist.
Some teachers make it hard to leave. There’s one guy whose BatGap interview I’ve taken down and with some of whose traumatized ex-students I’ve been conversing who convinces people around him that he is the light of the world – their last hope for enlightenment – and that that if he dies or if they leave him, they’ll be lost for lifetimes. And people actually believe this stuff! I think some students are just weak and dependent and easily hoodwinked.
I resonate with your conversations Jac and Miranda. Thank you!