Personal Instruction

This is for all yogis who might read this '“ novice, mid-level and experienced alike.

I've been a do-it-yourself yogi for 48 years, since I was 12. I've made a lot of progress in those 48 years. I've had a few great leaps and bounds, where progress came quickly. But I've had many more long and drawn out plateaus where I had to figure out things on my own, and the only way ahead was to experiment, try this, try that '“ discard what didn't work, stay with what did work.

Before the mid-90s, all I had available to me were books (and the good ones were hard to find, or didn't exist at all) and the occasional seminar or workshop (most of which I couldn't afford.) In essence, I was a 'book yogi.' There's nothing wrong with that, but I would have done it differently, if possible.

In November last year I came to Kenneth Folk Dharma and recognized it for the jewel that it is '“ primarily because of Kenneth Folk and his vision. Kenneth has the compassion, knowledge, clarity and depth of experience to help any yogi progress on his practice journey. Kenneth has done that for me and I am his grateful friend.

Today, many are 'internet yogis.' But today, you all have the unprecedented opportunity to work directly with someone who can provide you with the tools and feedback that you need to make progress on your own practice journey. Kenneth is a real person, knowledgeable, experienced and very accessible. I wish I had had this opportunity available to me! Kenneth can guide you to the highest strata of mind, because he has an intimate knowledge of all of them.

On the off chance that you and Kenneth don't resonate, I still urge you to get personal instruction from a qualified teacher. There's no reason to 're-invent the wheel.' Please don't be 'book yogi' or an 'internet yogi' if you don't have to be.

Love and hugs

AugustLeo

So true! I spent most of my yogi career in the Goenka tradition. And I am eternally grateful to Goenka for providing the courses he does. But there came a time when the pre rehearsed textbook advice by the assistant teachers and the vague advice from the teachers there to "be equanimous" just didn't help me at all. 9 years cycling up and down the dukkha nanas without clue as to what was happening, I came across Daniel (who is equally approachable) and the DhO which then lead to here and Kenneth. I feel extremely blessed to have come across this site and Kenneth's wisdom and that of other practitioners here.
Realise that this is rare and make the most of Kenneth and this wonderful place!

I agree with you both.

I came to be interested in Buddhism back in 2004. I read some books on Zen, and did some aimless, less than fruitful meditation for a little while. I quickly gave up due to lack of direction, and went back to philosophizing and reading books by Alan Watts.

A few years later, I randomly stumbled upon the Buddhist Geeks podcast. I heard about the Dharma Overground and started reading the threads. With the help of Daniel, Vince, and some of the others, I crossed the A&P via the Mahasi Sayadaw vipassana technique. I floundered around for a few months (the dark night - yuck!), but kept reading the DhO threads. Kenneth came on the scene, and he and I started emailing. Largely due to his assistance, which I'm sure took up a lot of his time, I attained stream entry seven months after initially crossing the A&P! My practice has since moved light years past where I thought it could go, and Kenneth's guidance and friendship has been, and continues to be, a MAJOR factor in my meditative success.

I cannot adequately express my gratitude in words. What I will say, however, is that if you have a chance to work with Kenneth, don't let it pass you by. Who knows? One of these days it might be virtually impossible to schedule time with him. If you're looking for a good teacher, who is capable of instructing in person, on the phone, or even in email messages (no small feat!), please consider taking the time to get to know Kenneth. You'll be glad you did.

~Jackson

Yes to all of that in regard to Kenneth Folk.

A few months ago I wrote a testimonial relating my experience and feelings about Kenneth's personalized instruction. I sent it to Kenneth to put here online. He never posted it. He's modest, but he's absolutely and for sure the real deal.

Thanks so much, AugustLeo, Nick, Jackson, and Chris, for your kind words of endorsement and support. I am humbled and honored to be able to spend time with such dedicated and accomplished yogis as you.

Kenneth

I will also take the opportunity to mention that Kenneth's wise and precise personal (email) instructions have allowed me to access the eight Jhanas and experience Kensho, or seeing Buddha-Nature, within less than a month!

This initial breakthrough, later confirmed by three Zen masters, was followed by mind-blowing experiences that keep filling the pages of my diary. What seemed reserved to a monastic elite has now become my everyday reality.

Few mediation teachers really know what they are taking about. Some are awakened, but can only transmit their skills and insight to a few rare individuals. But Kenneth is not only an enlightened yogi, but also a great teacher with an amazing success rate. Above all, I have always been impressed by his kindness and humility.

Alex

I just want to jump in here and affirm all this. It still blows me away that I can talk to such a highly realized teacher over the phone. I suspect that, as Jackson says, a day will come when he does not have time for such things but while it lasts I'm so grateful.

Ron

One thing I neglected to post earlier.

I believe that Kenneth wants to work with any student sincerely interested in personal instruction, without regard for previous experience. I believe that novice, intermediate and experienced practitioners are all equally welcome.

Of course, I don't speak for Kenneth, so if you're interested, I urge you to send Kenneth a personal message and set up a time to talk.

Everyone has to start somewhere and instruction from Kenneth is a great way to start.

AugustLeo

"I believe that Kenneth wants to work with any student sincerely interested in personal instruction, without regard for previous experience. I believe that novice, intermediate and experienced practitioners are all equally welcome."

Thanks for clarifying this, AugustLeo. Yes, I enjoy working with beginners, intermediates, and advanced practitioners alike, and at this stage of my teaching career I have ample time to devote to one-on-one teaching. In fact, it's my favorite part!

Kenneth

Just another quick addition and note of thanks:

Kenneth helped me get my daily practice going again after a volatile retreat. I had put practice on hold until I felt more grounded and had someone to work with. I made the jump and asked for help, and Kenneth helped me get going again without much trouble. I don't think I would have the daily practice I have now without his gentle help. Thank you Kenneth!

I crossed the A&P for the first time in June of last year. I encountered Kenneth three months later right in the middle of the dark night. I had been meditating for seven years on my own without ever going on retreat and still haven't. I hadn't a clue what I was doing. I am now post stream entry and encounter non-dual experiences every time I sit. This is Kenneth's teaching and instruction. It's not me. It's him. My life explodes with beauty and gratitude. Thank you Kenneth.
Paul

I love all the Kenneth Lovin' This man has helped guide me through my practice over the last couple months. At periods when I am sure I would have gotten stuck he somehow knew just what to say to help me realize the next stage... I am truly grateful for your instruction Kenneth...

Thank you for this. I've just started working with Kenneth and it's been amazing. Most of my studies to this point have been in group classes in various Mahayana traditions. How awesome to work with someone who can really guide me personally.

Feels like there is a lot of mutual feelings around here.
I have been reading about and sitting in meditation since about 2005. After many perusing the traditions, I was attracted to the simplest techniques which lead to zen breath counting and Mahasi Sayadaw style noting pracitces. I have done a weeklong retreat at IMS, and a couple of weekends here and there in the Insight tradition. It wasn't until I came across BG006 podcast about the progress of insight. This pointed me in the direction of DhO and consequently here.

It really wasn't until coming in contact with Kenneth through email that I have started to have the experiences described in the texts. A&P in Spring 2009 and Equanimity in June really have come about under his guidance. Trying to wade through the confusing territory to the next level.

I have so many exchanges I could paste in here regarding gratitude for Kenneth and the opportunity to have access to such expertise in practice. I highly recommend and wish for all to come in contact with this type of practical resource. Cheers and onward.

Andrew

Had my first phone call with Kenneth on Saturday. Very nice for many reasons I could go on and on about.
However, what most struck was how good a listener he is.
He actually waits until one is finished with a thought before speaking and then makes sure he understands correctly what was said before commenting. No interrupting. Nice.

"Had my first phone call with Kenneth on Saturday. Very nice for many reasons I could go on and on about.
However, what most struck was how good a listener he is.
He actually waits until one is finished with a thought before speaking and then makes sure he understands correctly what was said before commenting. No interrupting. Nice. "

Yes, I agree. He is a great listener. It's easy to tell that he's completely present when you talk him. The sign of a great teacher.

For all of you who've worked with Kenneth: Do you suppose Kenneth would be willing to take on a fairly novice, but fully dedicated practitioner? I ask, because in one of the recent interview articles posted at the Buddhist Geeks site (Sorry I cannot cite which one at the moment), Mr. Folk expresses his very understandable intent to work with those who've already gained First Path. I've identified myself as having been in the Dark Night for many years now, and after nine months of a solid Mahasi-style meditation regime, it's crystal clear that this is the path to real Liberation. And with personal instruction or not, I'll be hanging on like a rabid dog until the deed is done.
Trouble is, in my neck of the woods (Semi-rural living in the Interior of Alaska), there's no Vipassana community that I've been able to locate, let alone any qualified teachers of any Dharmic stripe. Also, due to modest income and geography, it would be very difficult to get to a retreat center elsewhere in the U.S., though I'm in a prime position to practice a good deal (and do!).
Anyways, that's my position, but it could be summed up like this: Many questions, hard worker, don't wanna lose momentum on something so very precious. Given these circumstances, does it sound reasonable to trouble Mr. Folk to bend his standards ever so slightly?
Thanks for considering this question,
Gabriel

Hi Gabriel.
Kenneth definitely works with beginning and advanced yogis alike. Not to speak out of turn, but I think he'd be happy to work with you. He used to live in Alaska, too, and has some good bear stories!

Gabriel, even though most of the contributors on this site are advanced yogis, in my experience Kenneth is very generous with 1:1 teaching time to beginners as well. The Personalized Instruction link in the menu at upper left explains how to start. If you've had time to check out the discussions, there's a wealth of helpful and inspiring experience there, too. Bets of luck with your practice!

Great, thanks for the opinions and encouragement, guys! Will check it out, as soon as possible.

I just want to reiterate all this - I reached out to Kenneth when I had been stuck at A&P for a loooong time. He agreed to give generous amounts of time and attention, has closely followed my progress and has been very supportive. Don't hesitate, ask for help!

Thank you to everyone here who offers words of encouragement toward working with Kenneth or another teacher directly. All the best meditation books say that it's so helpful, but hearing the stories of people making such amazing progress when working with a great teacher is what really motivates me to get on the ball with starting this process.