A Much-Appreciated Guide

It is not possible, Cunda, that someone stuck in the mud could pull out another who is stuck in the mud. But it is possible that someone not stuck in the mud could pull out another who is stuck in the mud.

It is not possible that someone untamed, untrained, not completely calmed, could tame, train or completely calm another. But it is possible that someone tamed, trained, completely calmed could tame, train or completely calm another. (M.I,45)

Even if we have the best of intentions to help people, we are not really able to help another if we ourselves are not ‘on firm ground’.

The first priority if one wishes to help others is to train oneself thoroughly, so that one not only knows the way of training but is also an experienced example of what one teaches. Some people may therefore conclude that only fully awakened beings should teach.

However, people are at various levels of spiritual maturity. As long as one clearly recognizes one’s own level and is careful to respect it, one can still be a much-appreciated guide, ideally out of compassion and not conceit, to those struggling ‘in the mud’.

This reflection by Ajahn Thiradhammo is from the book, Treasures of the Buddha’s Teaching, (pdf) pp. 160-161. [Please refer to book for translation citation.]