The Oracle

Ok, this is an evil question and I may have just opened up the biggest can of worms in the short history of this forum lol.

But what do you all think of the arguement over the effective teaching that people can get from books compared to the more traditional face to face teaching.

Many of us don't have the luxury of a coven or a mentor in reality, so books often open up a world of knowledge that we can draw upon. The big question really is does it matter if you are a person who has learnt their craft through reading and getting out there or a person who has had face to face mentoring from a coven or teacher?

The interesting factor that sometimes both are needed in order to perfect ones training. So have a good think about this one

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, but I've also opened this as a poll for all to cast a vote. Now due to the nature of this, I expect it to be a little heated, but just remember guys, being open is good, being respectful while being open, is even better

Both - it's really good to be able to learn directly from someone else, but books play a huge role too. When learning from a person you learn only their way of doing things, with books you can learn various different ways and pick and choose which ones fit with you.

I definately think both. On my Buddhist path I read lots of books on Buddhism, it's history, it's teachings, the different traditions as well as countless internet sites. But I found that part a little limiting after a while, it can only take you so far. It gave me a realy good basic knowledge and I got to read about different view points etc, but I believe you also need to be able to discuss things with others, bounce ideas off each other, debate about things. Listening to other people talk about their own journey and experiences can suddenly shed new light on things or show you a perspective that you may have never thought of.

I continue to use both, there are some wonderful books out there, and these continue to expand my knowledge and understanding of things, and also being part of a group has enabled me to discuss things and deepen my knowledge.

Gassho,

M

i would say both.

speaking as someone who went ten years on this path with no one but myself, books have been invaluable.
i would have loved to have had a person teaching me though.

there is a downside to oral teaching though. each teacher adds their own perspective, so eventually the lesson will be completely differently to how and what it first taught. if you write it down and go from text, your pretty much going from the source.

I agree with you all, but I have to add this little bit

Branwen you said about things changing with the oral teaching, to me that is a fantastic thing. With each student new ideas are created, to me its the ideal situation, each student who becomes a teacher adds that little something that helps promote the growth. To me its needed to ensure the original work doesn't become stale and stagnant.

agreed. it can be a good thing.

but i would also have to respect the original, or at least study it to see the evolution.

I have voted both, this is because I feel that you can learn a lot of the theory from books then there is the face to face aspect that is good for the practial stuff.

crystalwitch

I voted face to face. Surprised because I'm a solitary witch?
I read books just because I like them, but I can't say I ever learned anything through a book as important as the lessons I've learned myself or through talking to people (Pagan or otherwise).

I think that books are great and I can take what I like from them. They are all based on someone's opinion, but thats the same as any conversation so not a reason to discount them I don't think.

I suppose I'm saying experience and discussion are best. I've been disappointed by every Pagan/Heathen related book I've ever read.

Hiya.

I'd have to say face to face but in the respect of speaking with other people, either in real time or on forums etc.

Books can be a useful aid but I think those kind of 'Mind body spirit' books which tend to encapsulate pagan volumes can be extremely P&F. I may be wrong but the majority of books I've read always end up talking about 'the astrological allignment of the most feminine portion' or some such twaddle. The internet has been increadibley informative but also on occassion knicker wetingly funny or toe curlingly cringe worthy.

I think on the whole what you guys have said is the most important thing and that's that we should listen for those nuggets of truth that resonate when we come across them.

Because our paths, whichever branch we subscribe to, are mostly built of race memory and ancient myth, I really think we ought to be wary of anybody claiming to 'teach' the way to be pagan. I know that there are a good few witches present and that the ritualistic side of things may need a certain ammount of structure passed down from elders but aside from this I'm not sure I'd take too kindly to being 'taught'. Having said that I always have had an aversion to authority.

Anyway enough prattle from me.

Light and Blessings

Definately both!!! xxx

As i am new to this and prefer doing things in my own time at my own pace,i would say for me at the moment books plus the internet.Although i,m sure both are equally good!
blessingsxxxxxxxxxx[

Definately both.

Books give a good basis - a grassroots, bottom line knowledge of something. Most Wiccan/Pagan books are aimed at the general population of Wiccans/Pagan, so they form a overall base of knowledge for the reader, which is great.

But I think to learn practical things, and more in-depth things, it's better in a group or face to face. For example, I've read many books on Paganism, but almost everything I've used and whats made me into the Pagan I am today comes from my old Coven, and my current Coven - even things like Moots and our Coffee Mornings. Sharing ideas, practises and information is such a valuable thing.

This is why our Coven intends to open up to teaching sometime soon, when we find a venue. It's such an important aspect, I think, to just....chat about it, and learn that way

Hi,
This is my first real post on the forum so please bare with me
I voted both but my decision is based on keeping reptiles over the last 15 years.
All books are based on someone's opinion, knowledge that has been collected over many years and put down in writing. I guess the same applies to Paganism but with the extra knowledge handed down through the generations by face 2 face contact.
Taking in all the information, by book or face 2 face, influences the path we take. We then add our own experiences and knowledge and pass that on to others, which, in turn, gives a greater understanding.
So both is definitely the way to go.