Christopher Hansard
Date: May 21, 2007 05:09AM
Jeff Bowes, I understand why, having found gaping holes in Christopher’s story, you believe it to be entirely false. I understand how this appears to people with no direct involvement in the situation. As a person of historical /anthropological bent these are the facts that you look for. However, I do not believe that any person with no direct experience of the situation can say categorically that the teachings he expounded were pure invention. I genuinely understand why you say this. And I doubt you will change your point of view. I understand why you feel that Tibetan culture has been exploited, and to a certain extent it probably has. I agree with you that this ancient culture should be supported, protected, respected and treasured. And I realise that when a culture is as beleaguered as Tibetan culture, people become very fierce in their protectiveness and loyalty. I believe all this is understood by most people reading this forum, and we support you in this. I also believe it can only be beneficial to raise the profile of Tibet to the world.
That said, permit me to express my point of view, which is also shared by others. From my direct experience of being involved with Hansard over many years, the single reason why so many people chose to work and study with him, and be treated by him, was that there clearly was something very real going on. I know this is going to be almost impossible to believe in amongst all the psychological illness and abuse, which was certainly kept well hidden. The teachings and practices in themselves, as separate from Hansard, were powerful and authentic. I do not know how exactly he came to be in their possession. But I can only state that in spite of all the darkness, the teachings themselves are the real thing. Some things can only be know by those who acknowledge that there is something else, and those who can detect energetic phenomena. However, these were not just mere siddhis, purely for the sake of a magical show. The teachings themselves lead to profound states of wisdom and knowledge, however although he could teach them, he certainly was not living them. This is the paradox that so many of us have had such a hard time with. It is an almost schizophrenic situation. I do not know how it is possible. But I feel deeply sad the teachings themselves have now come into disrepute.
I myself have had past life memories of working with these particular teachings in Tibet – so although you do not have to believe this, you cannot discount my experience because it is mine, and I want to present it to the people reading this in the name of balance. I believe the teachings were for a time existing in Tibet, and although I now think that the lineage story presented is not entirely accurate, that does not mean the teachings are not Tibetan in some way. There is real wisdom in them, and I do not expect people who were not directly involved to understand this. It’s a schizophrenic situation. Real teachings. Deeply ill and abusive man. Perhaps his shaman nature sent him crazy, as has been previously speculated on this site.
So Jeff, I understand what you are trying to do, but from my point of view of direct experience, the teachings are not fake. I expect you will try to say that I have been deceived, but I actually see things very clearly now on many levels. I am no longer under illusions. I respect your point of view, and I ask that you respect mine, and others like me, and we can all acknowledge and share our differing view points without trying to force the others down.
Thank you.
Kurukulla