We saw this East Coast American Tibetan Lama last night, courtesy of Jonathan Gustin's Integral Awakening Group. He is author of Buddha Standard Time
and several other books, and was a good story teller who filled the large room at the church for the usual $10-20 donation. He was introduced by Jonathan as awakened, a distinction which I'm unable to understand. The guy has been at this for so many years and mingled with so many spiritual dignitaries however, that maybe it's an honorary label.
His lecture was a review of American culture over time, anecdotes and his personal journey, including references to his drugged-out hippy days when he killed a few brain cells. Then came a Q and A with instructions to keep it short if you share, and keep it simple if you ask a question. Among a few less memorable inquiries was a snappy woman who argued against his views of time by asserting that it is very objective. It was interesting to see him banter with them, and back-peddle for answers.
For me the presentation was like a combination of books I read in junior high school, and the History Channel. One of the few things I agreed with was that time is indeed subjective, and my time there went by very slowly. Sometimes I find I'm at the right place only because I don't ever want to find myself there again. Knowing what books not to buy, what websites not to search, and what people not to listen to is a form of wisdom I can appreciate. Gustin is a nice guy doing nice work in hosting mainstream spiritual events that might expand the mind of non-seekers but mostly shouldn't be confused with the journey into the infinity of self-realization.
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