Fame

Towards the end of a recent Vipassana retreat a student came to my room to tell me that she was angry with me. She had committed to the programme and had conducted herself with integrity and discipline. Now she sat in front of me and I waited for her comments.

"Michael," she began, "I want to tell you that I am a little bit angry with you."

"For what reason?" I asked.

"Because you are not more famous and you do nothing about it. How can people hear Dhamma if they don't know that you are here?"

It is true that I am a recluse. I venture outside only to share Dhamma and I am pleased to do that, but I do not crave celebrity or fame.

My teacher sent me into the world for the sake of others so they too can hear Dhamma. It was never about me. And even if I sat in front of a crowd of one thousand people, how many could honestly say that they are true disciples of Dhamma?

I have no interest in fashion and new age ideas. I trained with a Master who trusted me to guard my own integrity and serve others.

I am not connected to any associations or spiritual centres and I stay true to the highest and purest sharing of Dhamma, to honour the Buddha, my own teachers and the Dhamma itself.

In my early days of teaching I was invited by very well known centres in England and Europe but always felt that the integrity of these places was often compromised simply because they were a business. In one establishment I was told not to mention sex or death in the Dhamma Hall. I was surprised to hear such a thing, after all they are the beginning and ending of what we call life, but the answer was even more surprising, 'because people don't like it!'

Dhamma is not about what people like or don't like, it is about truth, and I can only speak this truth or stay quiet.

Dhamma training is about awareness and love. It is a true sharing. We sit together in the silence of meditation, and I will share stories and jokes to open your heart and to inspire you to further training so that your life will become a blessing to you and all the beings that you share the planet with.

I will always endeavour to be available for others, as my Master was for me, but in truth, I  search for those who want Dhamma in their life as much as the Buddha did. As much as my Master did. As much as I did.

May all beings be happy.