A Lamentation

Having participated in similar groups, in the Zen tradition, I have seen both their advantages and disadvantages.

One of the great rewards is that it strengthens both the participant’s practice and their commitment to practice, through mutual expectations and shared group activity (meaning you’re more likely to practice diligently when you’re with a bunch of other people who are also trying likewise).

I think the biggest disadvantage is in the discussion session, because without a clear authority, its just a bunch of people giving their opinions (some less informed, others more informed) but all opinions having equal weight. In other words, there is no authority to say Joe Blow is right and Donald is a bit off track – everyone’s opinion is as valid as the next persons within the context of the discussion, (though not in their understanding of the Dharma unfortunately).

Having said that, I agree that the discussion side of the event is sometimes a strong factor in what draws people to the event. They want to not just sit in meditation, but to talk about the Dharma with someone who can answer their questions. You may find that the 15 min quickly becomes 45 min or more.

Having a priest around can be a mixed blessing. The problem in the Zen community is that understanding is integral with direct experience, and unfortunately just because someone is wearing a robe doesn’t mean they have had direct experience, yet they would be looked up to as an authority (qualified or not). This may not be such a problem in the Theravada tradition where the teaching is a bit more structurally organized.

Perhaps instead of you trying to answer peoples questions about the Dharma you could act more as a clearinghouse – directing people with questions to where (on the web or in books, for instance) that they could find the answers they seek. Perhaps they could share with the group during a following meeting what they’ve learned.

I visited a Tibetan School recently and overheard another visitor chatting with the person manning the front desk. The visitor then asked how to do a particular meditation practice. The person at the desk responded without skipping a beat: she merely said that she wasn’t qualified to teach that practice (end of discussion).

On the other hand, one of the most boring groups I ever attended was at a local Zendo, where the Centers Zen student cut off every question with the phrase “again, this is something that you have to talk to the abbot about.”