Expert: Joe McSorley - 11/20/2005

Question
I have started following the path through knowledge gained from reading and I understand the importance of having a teacher. Where I live there does not appear to be a lot of teachers, no Yellow Pages to choose from. My question is the financial arrangement between the student and teacher. For exsample, is it usual to pay by the session, meeting or by the hour? What are considered to be usual fees or donations? How often does one meet with the teacher? Any help you could provide me about these practices would be greatly appreciated.

I found your answers to other questions to quite helpful and appreciate your effort.

Marv

Answer
Hi Marv,
 This is something I've never thought about before.  I met my teachers through academic institutions and continued my relationship with them long afterwards.  The thought of payment never came up.  When I've stayed in monasteries it was either as a guest or I paid some small stipend to help pay costs.  Generally speaking when you go into a monastery you work for your stay by doing chores so there is no other pay.
I've never heard of anyone that I've studied with either charging or paying for meetings with their teachers.  You've got me stumped on this one.
 In terms of how often you meet really depends on how much you commit yourself to the goal.  In the beginning most of us need to constantly be challenged so that our personal inquiry is directed correctly.  When you truly realize the onus is upon yourself to resolve your problem you need the teacher less and less.  You actually reach a point where you dread seeing your teacher because you know you haven't progressed as you should.  It's like going to piano lessons when you haven't done the practice.
 I don't know if I've adequately answered your questions here.  Please don't hesitate to write back.
    Take care,
          Joe