I declined to read/study required textbook for Yoga teachers training certification

[Mr. Ed]

Earlier today, I reached out to Yoga Farm from which I will begin training for 200 hour teachers/training course this summer. Required reading to participate in the 8-week course includes The Way to Liberation, a practical guide to spiritual enlightenment by ADYASHANTI.

In my defense, after reading the introduction and first chapter I found the overall tone of the text to be forcefully bossy and having much urgency that readers must fully commit themselves to follow the text as written in blind obedience. To an unseasoned pupil the author seems to know what the pupil is searching for but the language of this holy book is condescending and disrespectful to ears of another who knows.

I requested not to participate in the study or reflection of this textbook on the basis having already achieved spiritual enlightenment. I am curious what their response will be and what comes next.

 

[SetWave]

I applaud your decision. These know-it-all fools need to step back and reflect on such an approach. I hope you find better instructors.

 

[Jules]

@Mr. Ed Did you already pay in full for the course?

 

[Dana]

Earlier today, I reached out to Yoga Farm from which I will begin training for 200 hour teachers/training course this summer. Required reading to participate in the 8-week course includes The Way to Liberation, a practical guide to spiritual enlightenment by ADYASHANTI.

In my defense, after reading the introduction and first chapter I found the overall tone of the text to be forcefully bossy and having much urgency that readers must fully commit themselves to follow the text as written in blind obedience. To an unseasoned pupil the author seems to know what the pupil is searching for but the language of this holy book is condescending and disrespectful to ears of another who knows.

I requested not to participate in the study or reflection of this textbook on the basis having already achieved spiritual enlightenment. I am curious what their response will be and what comes next.

Then you should not proceed...clearly you are not cut out for teaching this subject especially to seniors .... you "have no defence."

 

[Mr. Ed]

Then you should not proceed...clearly you are not cut out for teaching this subject especially to seniors .... you "have no defence."

Perhaps you are right, the poses in relationship to body/spirit harmony I agree. However, I am not prepared to fall victim to the type of forceful demands as depicted by ADYASHANTI to develop spiritual enlightenment of which I have achieved.

Spiritual enlightenment is not limited to one way of learning about self, don't you agree?

 

[Mr. Ed]

@Mr. Ed Did you already pay in full for the course?

Three installments from bank card. I'm waiting for their response to determine further pursuit.

 

[Nathan]

@Mr. Ed , if you want to teach Yoga to seniors you would do well to look at Tivity's very excellent training, for those wanting to become Silver Sneakers instructors. https://instructor.tivityhealth.com/

I just finished the very excellent Tivity training and am now a certified Silver Sneakers FLEX instructor, teaching their Enerchi(Taichi) course.

 

[Dana]

Perhaps you are right, the poses in relationship to body/spirit harmony I agree. However, I am not prepared to fall victim to the type of forceful demands as depicted by ADYASHANTI to develop spiritual enlightenment of which I have achieved.

Spiritual enlightenment is not limited to one way of learning about self, don't you agree?

You have answered the question yourself and I quote "Spiritual enlightenment is not limited to one way of learning about self, don't you agree?"

Yes, that's true, so therefore, in order to make a good decision, one should read all sorts of material...the seemingly good, the bad and the ugly. One point of view will get you nowhere...it's like reading the Bible and thinking one knows everything about religion. Good luck.

 

[Mr. Ed]

You have answered the question yourself and I quote "Spiritual enlightenment is not limited to one way of learning about self, don't you agree?"

Yes, that's true, so therefore, in order to make a good decision, one should read all sorts of material...the seemingly good, the bad and the ugly. One point of view will get you nowhere...it's like reading the Bible and thinking one knows everything about religion. Good luck.

It is difficult for me to describe who I am unless given an opportunity to vocally share my beliefs about spiritual awareness. If you care to have a conversation with me I am happy to oblige. I enjoy conversing about higher consciousness and spirituality. Let me know and I PM you my contact information.

 

[HoneyNut]

I requested not to participate in the study or reflection of this textbook on the basis having already achieved spiritual enlightenment. I am curious what their response will be and what comes next.

Yes I too am curious what their response will be.

 

[Dana]

It is difficult for me to describe who I am unless given an opportunity to vocally share my beliefs about spiritual awareness. If you care to have a conversation with me I am happy to oblige. I enjoy conversing about higher consciousness and spirituality. Let me know and I PM you my contact information.

Hi Mr Ed… Any other time, I would have loved to get involved. However, it will be time consuming and at this point in my life, it’s not feasible. I’ll explain… I have recently retired from my profession of many years and now, I am undergoing plans for a new venture. If you have any specific questions you’d like to ask, I will try my very best to answer in my own way, bearing in mind, others may think differently.

In the meantime, I am posting these two videos by Aydashanti. I have just watched them both and I think it may be worth your while to use this teacher as a starting point. My honest opinion is, I would not cancel the studies, but would undertake to study other readings in conjunction with what your Yoga Farm teaches. In any event, your course may be only skimming the surface…it takes years to understand yoga because it involves, body, mind and spirit. Even when your course is finished, your learning never stops.
Namaste

 

[Butterfly]

Aren't most people nowdays doing yoga for flexibility, etc., and not for "enlightenment" anyway?

 

[Mr. Ed]

I have recently retired from my profession of many years and now, I am undergoing plans for a new venture.

Sounds very exciting! Will you share what your new venture will be? What was your profession before now?

Thank you for the videos, I will view them when I have time.

Best
Mr. Ed

 

[Dana]

Aren't most people nowdays doing yoga for flexibility, etc., and not for "enlightenment" anyway?

You can obtain flexibility from ordinary exercises, if that is what one wishes.

 

[Dana]

Sounds very exciting! Will you share what your new venture will be? What was your profession before now?

Thank you for the videos, I will view them when I have time.

Best
Mr. Ed

Hi Ed..I’ve been a registered psychologist in the UK and Australia for years. Loved it very much, but, it’s a very demanding profession and time for a change. Having visited and had as clients, people who worked in very unattractive office spaces, and seeing how unhappy they were, got me thinking. So two years ago I began study for my Diploma of Interior Design which I have now attained. I have always loved design, so now here is my chance, with my first job lined up in July. Yes, it is exciting.

 

[Mr. Ed]

am posting these two videos by Aydashanti. I have just watched them both and I think it may be worth your while to use this teacher as a starting point.

I enjoyed the second interview and took notes on key statements. Aydashanti's concepts are old school but every bit as relevant today. Most importantly for me was his instructions on meditation. It is refreshing to confirm Aydashanti's understanding of enlightenment with what I understand as enlightenment.

 

[Dana]

I enjoyed the second interview and took notes on key statements. Aydashanti's concepts are old school but every bit as relevant today. Most importantly for me was his instructions on meditation. It is refreshing to confirm Aydashanti's understanding of enlightenment with what I understand as enlightenment.

Wonderful...what about the course...going ahead?

 

[Mr. Ed]

So two years ago I began study for my Diploma of Interior Design which I have now attained.

Very impressive! Thank you for sharing!

 

[Mr. Ed]

Wonderful...what about the course...going ahead?

I want to see how YogaFarm response to my email.

 

[Nathan]

Aren't most people nowdays doing yoga for flexibility, etc., and not for "enlightenment" anyway?

Yes, but when you do activities like Yoga, Taichi/Qigong or mainstream fitness your body & mind both benefit. When your body and mind are working together in strengthening, you basically get "enlightening" as an added bonus.

Enlightenment= peace, being part of nature and without expectations.

Edit: just wanted to add: I enjoy learning about the Ayurvedic traditions and practices, as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine, both very fascinating and share a lot of history and methods. There is nothing mystical about either, both have a wide path to explore, not just "cut n dried" dogma that a student gets drilled into their head.

 

[Mr. Ed]

I want to see how YogaFarm response to my email.

Yoga Farm responded; I do not need to study Adyashanti

 

[wcwbf]

if there are requirements for getting this certification... well, ya need to complete the requirements.

i went to college to become an elementary school teacher... K-6. i didn't have to take college algebra. i took math classes that taught us techniques on how to teach little kids basic math skills. i had to relearn how to print and write "perfect" cursive. i thought i wasn't gonna make it when i HAD to take physics!

BUT they were the requirements to get my degree and eventually certification. requirements are requirements!

 

[Mr. Ed]

BUT they were the requirements to get my degree and eventually certification. requirements are requirements!

This is a 200 hour yoga certificate. Besides, if the objective is to obtain enlightenment there is no guarantee students who study Adyanshanti will be enlightened, Enlightenment is not for everyone and cannot be a provision to receive certification.
Thank you for your concern, however, I do not believe it will be a problem Besides based on the email I sent, Yoga farm excused me from the curriculum having demonstrated full awareness on the subject.