| | I think that the tricks are these:
1) Full or something like full disclosure, enough so that people get a sense of what this can do both good and bad and are duly warned.
2) Good support, such that should people get into difficult territory they have friends who understand it and can help give them a heads up to what might be going on and helpful.
3) Realize that a substantial number of people who would get into meditation and actually practice and go on retreats and the like already are Dark Night meditators, having crossed the A&P sometime in their past, and that is why they are interested. The damage already having been done, might as well give them a shot at stream entry with good info.
4) Realize that arahatship really helps with this, so go for that. While not the absolutely perfect solution to the cycles, as they still occur, its perspective dramatically improves things and one's perspective and understanding of what is happening as it happens.
5) Remember to back off if the Dark Night is kicking your ass, watch funny movies, play sports, exercise, hang out with friends, be nice to your significant other, back off from practice, and the like. Sometimes this is the right thing to do.
6) Teach the maps well with all their supporting points if you are going to teach them at all.
7) Beware evangelism. Better to preach to the choir than coerce someone into this stuff only to have it screw them up, as people who are not doing this on their own internal drive and vision rarely have what it takes to get stream entry; sad but true, but plenty can cross the A&P, which, curiously enough, does not universally inspire everyone to want to become enlightened or practice through the hard stuff. |