I have a great deal of respect for Jeff Brooks, and have learned much from him over the years, but there are a couple issues that have been developing for me that are coming to term. I already explored a couple of these here, but had a few more thoughts on it.
1. Focus on the student/teacher relationship
I have been dialoguing with Jeff for nearly 10 years, and while I have appreciated the student/teacher relationship, I feel it is becoming something very inappropriate to continue with. On the one hand one could not have had a student who better internalized the monastic values of "duty" and "obedience," or who more humbly questioned his own beliefs and self-will; however, I feel it is no longer correct to maintain these practices, or remain in the "student" role. I am also having issues with Jeff in the teacher role; for instance, times when Jeff misunderstands me, or repeats something we've already been over many times; or, when he does not appreciate my experience, when he rigidly frames everything in the Buddhist model, or when he states something that I feel is his opinion which I disagree with.
2. Issues with guidance
Jeff certainly is a better teacher than most that are available out there, and he is one of the few that can dialogue maturely on mystical questions, but I fear I have foundered for years now as I did not pursue more flexible guidance. I likely would have had better progress had I gone outside the religious model sooner. Instead, I foundered with Jeff's intent focus on the "direct method" - the meditation induced OOBE. So, from one perspective I am reaching a point now where I feel it is time to leave all this "enlightenment," "arahant," and "jhana" business behind. Perhaps this is itself a part of the "shedding" or getting away from belief systems.
So, by the above I do not mean to negate Jeff; but, I am saying that I have become my own authority now. I feel we should have the ability to dialogue now and disagree, and hold alternate, equally viable opinions.
