Thank you so much for your suggestions. Will be looking into them , even if only from the perspective of a spiritual researcher; call me foolish, but I never was one to go looking for much of a teacher: I tend to look for words that convene with my personal interpretation of what I believe to be manifestations of spirit. And as a wordmonger I adore terms like Jade Gate or quarter inch square....and with a deep interest in nutrition as bridge between inner and outer, I am partial to the Five Element theory on what's hot and what's not...
Otherwise, I so agree with you that one generally needs more experience, plenty of resonant personal guidance, and fewer books! One day I hope to practice what I preach!