“A good spiritual friend who will help
us to stay on the path, with whom we can
discuss our difficulties frankly, sure of
a compassionate response, provides an
important support system which is often
lacking. Although people live and practice
together, one-upmanship often comes between
them.

A really good friend is like a mountain
guide. The spiritual path is like climbing a
mountain: we don’t really know what we will
find at the summit. We have only heard that
it is beautiful, everybody is happy there,
the view is magnificent and the air unpolluted.
If we have a guide who has already climbed
the mountain, he can help us avoid falling
into a crevasse, or slipping on loose stones,
or getting off the path. The one common antidote
for all our hindrances is noble friends and
noble conversations, which are health food for
the mind.”

~ Ayya Khema

More from Ayya Khema

More Buddhist writings on Allspirit