IMPORTANCE OF THE PERSON TO PERSON CONNECTION
Regardless of the particular level of teaching or practice that we are attempting to integrate in our modern life; whether it be Qigong, Taoism, Buddhism, it has always been a time honored tradition that there is an person to person connection that takes place. The reason for this is the mentor teaches the student or students; the students learns the teachings, absorbs their meaning and puts them into practice. This is the goal for teaching the next generations.
There is a reason for this emphasis on live teachings. In most areas of Asia and since the beginning of time up to the present day, the teachings in Taoism, Buddhism and modern conventional Qigong has always been meant to be taught in real time through a mentor/teacher, ensuring that there is a living tradition that is still imbued with the tradition and power of the original teachings. It also guards against the possibility of so-called teachers simply coming up with their own ideas. Instead, the teacher passes on a proven tradition of teachings.
This makes the Orthodox Traditions different from other kinds of learning where it may be possible for people to innovate, fabricate or do it their own way due to lack of traditional teachings. In such realms of learning it may be appropriate to come up with new systems of thought or to introduce new ideas. But when we teachers and students are partaking about Taoism, Buddhism, Village Traditions; teaching must connect with the original teachings of the Orthodox Tradition in order for a teaching to be valid. The teachings cannot be something that someone is simply coming up with on their own. The teachings are something that the teacher passes on. A simple way to find out what is real or not is to ask the view teaching, source tradition teacher and their connection to it. This will eliminate much wasted time.
You can put two students side by side, the one whom values tradition and order will always come ahead the one whom, just prefers to "make it their own". Tradition gives one structure, methodology and eliminates the guessing game. People in life are distracted enough with the technology, webpages and social media. My advice don't try reinvent thousands years of proven techniques. It is youre hubris that is blocking one from becoming a great mentor/teacher or student. Follow the tradition; its simple as that! :)
