I think Richard's dismissal of all other teachings is a bit rich...

I think Richard's dismissal of all other teachings is a bit rich too and it does tend to put me off him a bit. Still, I enjoyed the majority of that website and got a few useful snippets out of it regarding 'presence'. No harm, no foul. If anyone has something better, whack it on the forum for everyone like bowral has done!

Of course you can be your own teacher, but why do that if there is someone who has gone well ahead of you? Would you try to teach yourself how to play golf if Tiger Woods offered to coach you? I'd take whatever he could offer me.

Some people seem to think this subject is about happiness and peace. I know lots of happy, peaceful well-adjusted people who have no experience of higher states of consciousness.

Personally I like Patanjali's view. Basically he says when you reach a certain level you'll be able to do and see all sorts of amazing things you never thought possible, and play with that as long as you like, but remember that's not the end point.