Through the vows and initiation we gain the supportive connection with those practising in the same way, and  strengthen the connection with the teachings of those with realisation and the commitment to work for the benefit of all beings through time.

The Buddhist teachings offer many different, beautiful methods for supporting us in shifting our view of our selves and the world… 

…all leading (slowly or more quickly) towards the realisation of the currently unrecognised givenness of non-duality of what we currently take to be ‘self’ and ‘others’… and the ground of our being.
They have been used effectively through thousands of years.

Clearly this realisation is not itself  ‘Buddhist’… but the teachings of the tradition offer tools to be used skilfully to help us relax out of our deluded confusion into our integrity.

Some methods are openly available… others need prior preparation training and commitment for them to be used effectively.

What my ego might want (or not)… and what I actually need don’t always coincide…the teachings and teachers help with resolving this issue

James referred to Buddhism as being like a hospital where you where you make the transition from being sick as a dog to becoming invisibly healthy – a lot of Buddhism to start with, but less and less at the end…( as the medicines takes effect! ) 

So, for sure, you don’t want to become a ‘patient’ for life… but when you realise you are really ill you do need to become a patient for a while and have treatment until you recover… 
maybe visiting .. A&E .. Intensive care…Recovery…then back to the ward…then maybe a Convalescent hospital…but anyway – eventually no longer a patient. 
Looking pretty much the same outwardly  but  functioning optimally… free from tension and limiting beliefs.

I hope you enjoy connecting with what you can, as it becomes available (you can always request)…and find it helpful.

Thanks to whoever took this image of the illusory Padmasambhava (Pembrokeshire) express!