40 Years of Meeting with Remarkable Men
by Blair Lewis • March 9, 2010
It was over 40 years ago that I made a conscious decision to find a teacher. I was in my early teens and inspired by the oral traditions of teachers and students. I peered through my imaginary telescope watching Jesus teach his disciples; I tuned in weekly enthralled to watch Kung Fu on television to see Master Po teach his young students; and, my bedroom shelves were filled with books like Jonathan Livingston Seagull, among many – all stories of the wise ones engaging their disciples in discussions of great virtue.
In every case, the teachings were about how to live. The style was experiential. The manner was kind, mutually respectful and filled with gentle guidance. I loved it. Forty years later, I still love it.
If you have read my books, you know I boarded a Greyhound bus after high school to seek out teachers. At that time, I barely knew the word ‘guru’ but that’s what I wanted. A ‘Merlin’ or ‘Yoda’ as a guide and me as the young King Arthur or Jeti Knight, full of curiosity and wanting to succeed and serve.
In my college years, a movie I adored for its content, but more so for its title, was “Meetings with Remarkable Men.” That’s what I was seeking…and by that time, I had finally found some remarkable men.
I still study with my teacher and he still sends me off to study with others. Only a few days ago, I returned home from my 12th trip to India.
As I read the poor outlook for the futures and mental health of young men in the current medical and pop literature, I see a niche. A unique niche for me.
While I am still a work in progress, my own studies in the oral tradition have been the most serious priority in my life for 38 years. Filled with successes and failures, incredible immaturity and errors, and yet balanced by growth, forgiveness and adaptability – I pushed on.
My heart is filled with stories of my own teachers as well as the lives of the great seers and sages – I think it is time to share these stories and teach the techniques referred to in the stories.
How wonderful it would be to sit down with young men and women and tell them the stories of remarkable men and women that have influenced my life and the lives of many. The wisdom contained in the stories can give guidance and direction for seekers of happiness and freedom.
While it is true that Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, the Chronicles of Narnia have birthed numerous trilogies filled with similar stories. However, there is a difference.
My life was not fiction.
Neither is the life of your son or daughter.
I hope they will join us.
Classes will be starting soon:
• Bright and Shining Armor – the yoga of self-esteem for boys
• Radical Self-Esteem Makeover for Girls
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