True Satsang

Curiosity is the mother of learning. It allows us to look with wonder (not fear) towards the unknown. It makes us stay rather than run away from the unknown. It makes us take a second look rather than shut our eyes (or ears).

It manifests in the form of a question. If we look for a ready made answer then we have pseudo learning. We then take a more or less passive role in the learning process. We seek out a teacher to provide the answer. A real teacher would not provide the answer but would initiate an interactive process with the student leading to an answer.

Many of us would seek out an authoritative book ( called a scripture if the question is spiritual) and then read it a number of times, recite or chant it in a mindless way. This does not lead to any learning. Many are not willing to take even this much trouble. So they attend a discourse, called satsang, where a learned guru will read the book for him and also interpret it for him giving juicy examples to illustrate the practical value and application. This may provide intellectual understanding but does not lead to a change in behaviour.

A true satsang happens when people working togwther seek out the answer through an expriential experimentation. Refer to the learning spiral for details of the process. This removes all doubts and questions and we are able to embrace the unknown.

Ganoba