What is the impact of the materialistic philosophy of the West on interacting with Buddhist teachers?

In this 21^st century, we have become very materialistic, so that we also regard this blessing as a material thing. I want this blessing, and then the teacher give it, and now I’ve got it. This is not the way, blessing is not something that is given, and then you have it and that is it. Blessings are kind of a long-term thing, which kind of slowly builds up.  Maybe you have met a lama and received teachings. Three years go by, nothing happens, there is nothing special. But perhaps, after three years, you think back and you realize something did happen at that time, or something occurs to you now about that time. It takes time. It is not the material way of doing things.

We have such a strong material mentality that we think that Dharma practice also is done in that way; that you just give something or receive something and the transaction is finished. Blessings, Dharma practice and the materialist approach do not operate with the same principles.  Sometimes we do not have patience, we just want it now, we just go and get it from lama, and lama just gives it. Dharma practice does not happen in that way; it is something that has to be slowly cultivated and developed. It happens slowly, this absorbing of qualities within yourself.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

From Kamashila
Short-Ngon-dro teaching
Germany, 2014