I think one of the most useful services that one on the spiritual path can offer to other seekers is friendship. That is to say, a sort of relationship where both parties feel they can share their thoughts and experiences openly with someone who can hear and understand what they are saying without prejudice.
Many people don't have someone like that in their lives, at least when it comes to spiritual matters. Lots of people just don't want to hear it, and that can be very isolating. It's very hard to go it alone, sometimes we have experiences that are difficult or disorienting and getting an outside perspective can be the key to making sense of it.
In Buddhist tradition there is the concept of "admirable friendships" or Kalyāṇa-mittatā:
So the question becomes, how do we cultivate an environment of friendship and non-judgmental sharing? I think part of that is meeting people where they are, rather than where we would want them to be.
Many people don't have someone like that in their lives, at least when it comes to spiritual matters. Lots of people just don't want to hear it, and that can be very isolating. It's very hard to go it alone, sometimes we have experiences that are difficult or disorienting and getting an outside perspective can be the key to making sense of it.
In Buddhist tradition there is the concept of "admirable friendships" or Kalyāṇa-mittatā:
As he was sitting there, Ven. Ananda said to the Blessed One,
“This is half of the holy life, lord: admirable friendship,
admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie.”
“Don't say that, Ananda. Don't say that. Admirable friendship,
admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie
is actually the whole of the holy life.”
So the question becomes, how do we cultivate an environment of friendship and non-judgmental sharing? I think part of that is meeting people where they are, rather than where we would want them to be.
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