Illustration by Nolan Pelletier.
Finding a teacher is like falling in love: you can’t make it happen but you’ll know when it does. Whether you call it serendipity, auspiciousness, or karma, trust it will happen when the moment is right. All you can do is create the right conditions. Is your reading pointing you toward a particular school of Buddhism? Then take the next step and attend some classes or retreats. Meet teachers, do the practices, and get a feel for different communities. Explore other traditions, too. See where your longing for a deep and personal relationship with a teacher leads you. But don’t force it or pressure yourself, and don’t get too attached to your preconceptions—there’s a good chance your teacher will not be who you expected. But don’t feel you’re wasting your time now. This period of practice, study, and searching could be one of the most valuable stages of your journey.
