Off and on for more than 30 years I had maintained a meditation practice which I initially began to help relieve anxiety.  When I was practicing diligently this was indeed the outcome.  But my practice frequently felt stale, routine and sometimes I thought of it as a chore or a distraction from more "important" things. There were long gaps in time when I did not practice and only some crisis or setback caused me to restart it.

I moved to Knoxville in 2000 where I was fortunate to meet John Blackburn.  My practice had always been self taught and solitary with only the aid of books and audio.  I thought this was what meditation was supposed to be. I was invited to join the Thursday night Knoxville Community of Mindfulness Sangha and initially felt self-conscious and uncomfortable practicing with others.  But that changed.

Over the years, attending the Sangha and more recently working with John personally, my meditation practice has become a greater source of peace, joy and insight than I would have imagined.  I look forward to Thursday night Sangha, and have learned to appreciate the connection and shared sense of purpose, commitment and support from practicing with others.  Although we have not met as a group in person since the pandemic, our zoom meetings still provide this weekly opportunity to practice together and gain knowledge from John's Dharma talks and depth from his guided meditations.  I have also taken group classes taught by John which helped me establish a stronger foundation for my practice and have come to understand that the difficulties I face in continuing to deepen my practice are universal.  This too has helped me to maintain a higher level of commitment.

However, the greatest insight and support for my daily practice has come through one on one instruction with John.  John is a highly skilled teacher, and I am the beneficiary of his years of commitment to the study and practice of Buddhism and of the wisdom he has gained during years of silent retreats, and personal instruction from a number of highly respected teachers.  He shares this generously in the context of our weekly discussions where I have the opportunity to reflect and gain insight into my struggles both on the cushion and after that while interacting with others. The insights I have gained through John's personal instruction are immeasurable and have continued to support my aspiration to be a more compassionate, equanimous  and loving human.  

I would encourage anyone questioning whether personal instruction would be helpful to try it.   Virtually all things that one wishes to master are aided by a mentor, guide, coach or teacher.  John has served me  in all of these roles.