I’ve started an introductory course at the London Buddhist Centre; last night’s was the first of six meetings. I’ve been interested in Buddhism for a while, and became more serious about studying it after reading a book while on vacation last year. Its values — rationality, compassion, peace — appeal.
At one point last night, the instructor was asked, “How do you know you’re making progress?” She explained that, first of all, it’s generally frowned upon among practitioners of Buddhism to discuss the spiritual advances one makes. But if she had to articulate it — which she seemed at pains to do — she said that progress meant having a better understanding of what one doesn’t understand.