Q: I am curious to know more about the current upheaval in the Vedanta community regarding the discussion between Arsha Vidya/Dayananda and Swami TV. I know Ramji brought up the topic on Zoom last Sunday, but I am still unclear what it was really all about?
Sundari: The topic was important to address for both new and established inquirers as it relates to the dharma of the timeless and unchanging Vedanta sampradaya, or lineage. The teachings do not belong to anyone, they are the timeless logic of existence. But as the Vedanta doctrine is entrusted to lineage holders to teach, uphold and protect, any confusion arising from differences in teaching styles must be clarified.
As James pointed out, the pertinent take-away for inquirers from the discussion was that there is no problem on either side regarding the doctrine or the integrity of the teachings. All qualified teachers of Vedanta know how important it is to give all credit to Isvara as the scripture, and to strictly adhere to the teachings without changing any of the doctrine. Swami TV, as he is popularly known, certainly qualifies. However, every teacher will have a certain personal teaching style that cannot be avoided. The important issue is whether their style enhances the teachings rather than overpowering them or promoting their ego. In the case of Swami TV, the latter is certainly not the case. However, Arsha Vidya felt that some of his statements could cause confusion, especially with beginner inquirers, which is the issue being addressed and clarified.
Q: What are your criteria for endorsing teachers on Shiningworld? Surely it is a big responsibility?
Sundari: It is indeed a big responsibility, one we do not take lightly for the reasons stated above: our brief as teachers of Vedanta is to be as pure a vehicle for the teachings as possible, without our personalities getting in the way. We are purely mouthpieces for Isvara, that is all. We are fierce about protecting the integrity of the lineage, the dharma and the doctrine. While we are careful about endorsing anyone as a teacher, there is always the risk that their ego might at some stage, co-opt the teachings because teaching Vedanta can build ego if there are still remaining personal tendencies in the teacher. It is also a risk that ambition starts to play a role because there is no teaching as powerful as Vedanta. Anyone who is endorsed by Shiningworld gets immediate recognition on a very large platform, not to mention complete access to all the invaluable material available in the books and videos. This is of enormous value.
Q: If I have any doubts about a teacher, or that their personal style is leaning towards ego enhancement, as you put it, should I let you know?
Sundari. Yes, of course. James is going to address this on his Zoom talk this Sunday. We have decided to add a disclaimer to the contact page of our endorsed teachers on our website stating that if anyone suspects a teacher’s ego is involved, or has a doubt that a teacher we have endorsed does not give total credit where it is due, meaning to James as their teacher and representative of Isvara as the scripture/lineage, they must inform us. We trust our teachers, but we cannot be present when they teach, so we can only respond if we have feedback. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, self-importance can creep in without a teacher being aware of it. Our job is to keep the teachings as uncontaminated as possible.
Q: Can anyone pass on the teachings? What are your criteria for endorsing a Vedanta teacher?
Sundari:The teachers we endorsed on our website all spent many years dedicated to self-inquiry and are Self-realized. They also dedicated themselves to learning to teach properly because they have the svadharma to do so. Meaning, teaching is part of their natural tendencies or skills, not a huge ambition. Ambition is a problem but it is almost always ego driven. With it usually comes the presumption of competence, which may or may not be valid. If that competence belongs to the ego and not to Isvara, there is a big problem. A true teacher of Vedanta will have a complete understanding of the whole methodology of Vedanta and teach it correctly, but they are not ego-invested in being teachers. Teaching Vedanta is a hat one wears when teaching and at no other time. It is not an identity.
It is true that anyone who has assimilated the nondual teachings of Vedanta sufficiently to talk about them coherently, even if they are not fully qualified as an inquirer, or even as a teacher, and have not realized the Self, can pass on the teachings, to some extent. Maybe not brilliantly, nor with the complete knowledge a qualified and Self-realized teacher would, but perhaps enough to disseminate a few seeds that will take someone listening to them, further. We encourage people to share their understanding of the teachings with others.
It is not impossible to get moksa from a teacher who is not Self-realized if they teach correctly. But a teacher who does not have a complete understanding of the whole Vedanta pramana, even if they have the nature of a teacher, are likely to seed confusion. There are no tests to pass to qualify as a Vedanta teacher, and many have climbed on the bandwagon and claimed that status, whether they deserve it or not.
It bears repeating that the most important factor involved to qualify as a teacher of this sacred means of knowledge requires one thing above all: disidentification with the self-important ego. Obviously, the ego plays a part in that our personality as jivas remains with or without Self-realization. It is the self-important ego that is the problem for everyone, teachers of Vedanta in particular.
The timeless lineage of Vedanta is what it is and has lasted since time immemorial because those who were and are qualified and truly upheld/uphold the high standards of teaching Vedanta understood/understand that the teachings are impersonal and do not belong to or come from anyone. That Isvara is truly, the only teacher. If this is not the case, and total allegiance to Isvara and the admission upfront is not made crystal clear, you have grave reason to doubt that teacher. Furthermore, if the teacher does not acknowledge the lineage, and in the case of Shiningworld, this is held by James, and does not acknowledge the resources that Shiningworld provides them with, there is also reason to doubt the integrity of that teacher.
While a teacher may have the nature to teach and may be facile in the teachings, if they are teaching as an ego, desirous of validation as such and identified with the role, they are not qualified to teach Vedanta.
While complete knowledge of the teachings is of utmost importance to teach Vedanta, humility is the number one requirement. Without it, while you may impress many with the extent of your knowledge and you may even be able to help some, you – as an ego – are in the way. Not only for those you supposedly teach, but for yourself. In the spiritual world, the people who fall under this category are legion. A true Vedanta teacher teaches everyone as the Self, as equals and as a friend, because they know that there is only the Self. Nobody is ‘special’. There is no elevated status attached to being a teacher. It is thus very rare to find a true Vedanta teacher teaching moksa, and not just the scripture.
The methodology that the Vedanta pramana provides and James has set out in his books so clearly, unfolds the teaching in a logical step by step format. While James sticks religiously to the scriptures, he has made Vedanta accessible by putting it in very simple language as well. A true teacher who follows in his footsteps will not go far wrong, providing their ego is out of the way and they give the proper credit to him as their teacher and as representative of the lineage.
Much love
Sundari
