At the age of 20, a very wise Outward Bound instructor said to me:
“Alan, you have a good cognitive mind. But I suggest you get some direct experience first-hand through meditation.
I’m not here to sell you on my technique or tradition.
Actually you need to go out there and ‘shop around’ – pardon the expression…
…you may need to sit with a particular technique or tradition for a few years to see if it’s for you.”
This is some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten.