Q. Why collect a structured teaching when you claim that you have already realised your true nature completely? Why don’t you then just speak from your own heart? I mean even the sages quote scriptures from time to time, but they are not offering any kind of structured teachings.

Tom: I explain the reasons why I’ve adopted this approach in the longer intro (see video below), including the disadvantages with structured teachings.

I want to do what works, and this seems to be working – in the short time I have been teaching several people have already woken up to this understanding through these teachings.

Satsang is good too, but from what I can see, satsang by itself in the Western setting does not work very well, (although it may if you’re lucky), as most seekers do not understand the basics.Once the basics are explained and drummed in, then the teaching flows much quicker and realisation is greatly facilitated.

Many, if not most, sages either taught structured teachings or received their wisdom though one: eg. Nisargadatta’s guru wrote a book setting out his structured teaching. Buddha had a structured teaching. Ramana translated several of Shankara’s structured teachings and he also set out his own in his Upadesa Saram. Even the zen patriarchs recommended reading the suttas first!