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The Reason Why Mixing Spiritual Techniques Is Considered Unwise
And what to do instead
In the famous 10-day Vipassana course by S.N. Goenka, a parable is related which often ends up defining the spiritual careers of every person in the room.
There is a desert. In order to reach water, people begin digging.
- Some give it their best, but then give up after a while, and move to another spot.
- Some stick to just one spot, even if it looks tough, and eventually reach water.
Goenka says that to be the first is incredibly risky, with a very low success rate.
Conversely, to be the second is a safe bet, but demanding, with a very high success rate.
Sticking to one path and technique until it gives results (or full accomplishment) is the way to go.
But mixing and matching is like riding two horses with one foot on each, thinking you’ll reach the goal faster.
I thought it was rubbish.
Especially considering how puritanical and condescending specific traditions can be. Even the Goenkan one — with all its claims to non-sectarian universalism.
In today’s modernity, we are incredibly complex individuals. How can one solution apply to…
