The Importance of Making a Connection Between Teacher & Student in the Digital Age

I remember the first time I sheepishly logged on for an online empowerment. As my camera flickered to life, I was greeted with a grid of familiar faces - our sangha, spread across the globe but united in this virtual room. When our teacher appeared on screen, a sense of reverence washed over me, despite the digital medium.

Our lama began by tracing the lineage of the particular sadhana we were about to receive. She spoke of how she had received it from her teacher who in turn had received it from his and he in turn was in attendance to another great Rinpoche, whom he had spent over 2 years travelling through the difficult mountainous terrain of Tibet just for that slim chance of receiving his blessings and wisdom. To make that connection. Hearing the hardships which these teachings underwent to get to us, filled me with such reverence and a feeling of gratefulness for being in attendance now, from the comfort of my own bedroom.

As the empowerment progressed, I watched our teacher's eyes light up. Despite the physical distance, I felt their gaze pierce through my monitor, creating an unmistakable heart-to-heart connection. In that moment, I truly understood what "transmission" meant for the first time. A good friend once told me that in Tibet, if a teacher wanted to make a connection with a student, they would look deeply into their eyes (sometimes even holding their cheeks) and make a wish "to meet in future lives".

This experience made me reflect deeply on the nature of our lineage and the importance of maintaining that precious link between teacher and student, even as technology transforms how we practice.

The Ear-Whispered Lineage

We're all familiar with how Machig Labdrön received oral instructions from Padampa Sangye and then developed and systematized the practice. She then transmitted these profound teachings to her sons and close disciples, who passed them on to their own students. This "ear-whispered" tradition has been the bedrock of our lineage for nearly a millennium.

The beauty of this direct transmission lies in its ability to preserve not just the words but the very essence and intent of the teachings. It safeguards against misinterpretation that could arise from simply reading texts without guidance. Each time we receive teachings or empowerments, we're tapping into this unbroken stream of wisdom meticulously passed from generation to generation. Each time we receive a sadhana or listen to our teacher's commentary on a tantra, we're hearing the echo of all of the teachers of that lineage.

Maintaining the Connection in a Digital World

In our increasingly virtual world, it's crucial that we find ways to honor and maintain this tradition of direct transmission. Here are some reflections on how we can do this:

1. Engage fully: When attending online teachings or empowerments, treat the space as sacred. Turn off notifications, clear your area, and engage with the same reverence you would in a physical shrine room.

2. Use video: Keeping your camera on isn't just about etiquette - it's about creating that eye-to-eye connection that's so vital in our tradition. Let your teacher see you, and fully receive their gaze in return.

3. Cultivate presence: It's easy to become distracted or passive when watching a screen. Make a conscious effort to remain present, actively listening and opening your heart to receive the teachings.

4. Follow up: After online sessions, take time to reflect, journal, or discuss with sangha members. This helps integrate the teachings and maintains the sense of connection.

5. Practice regularly: Apply what you've learned in your daily practice. This is how we truly honor the lineage and allow the teachings to take root in our lives.

Conclusion

As we navigate this new frontier of digital Dharma, let's remember that the essence of our practice remains unchanged. Each time we log on for teaching with genuine openness and devotion, we step into the flowing river of our lineage. We become part of an unbroken transmission stretching back to the gurus we so deeply venerate, such as Machig.

The methods may evolve, but the heart of the teacher-student relationship remains as vital as ever. It is through this connection - whether forged in person or across digital spaces - that the profound Ear-Whispered wisdom continues to transform lives. May we all strive to be worthy vessels for these precious teachings, carrying them forward for future generations.