To: alt.zen
From: mw@ipx2.rz.uni-mannheim.de (Marc Wachowitz)
Subject: Teaching Zen
Date: 28 Nov 1994 11:10:39 GMT
Quoting: Jean Klein's book "Who am I?" 

"Where there is no teacher, there is teaching;
 where there is no disciple, there is insight."

"A teacher who considers himself to be a teacher needs those who consider
 themselves to be disciples."

"Many people come to a teacher since they are seeking protection, authority,
 a father, a mother, a lover, a doctor or a therapist. Inquire deeply about
 the reason for your coming. You will see that you are coming due to a lack.
 You have to face this lack directly, and not escape into projections."

"The guru is only a catalyst for awakening in a new dimension. Through the
 transparency of his presence he reminds you that the object should not be
 emphasized. He never encourages the objetification of his presence."

"There is no fixed teaching and no fixed disciple. In fact there is no
 teacher, since the teacher is identical with what is taught. He is
 consciously rooted in the teaching, and in his deepest being he knows
 that there is nothing to be taught."


Asked why the actions of many sages would take so many different forms:

"Every situation comes with its own, though potential, action. Realization
 of that action is a matter of personality, imagination, of bodily and
 mental disposition. One can act appropriately in the same situation in
 various ways, without loosing the essential direction of the situation.
 Some people express themselves by thinking, some by doing, some by
 artistic performance, some by silence. Every expression is a giving.
 Ultimately all is a play, an expression of universal energy. Some sages
 are rooted more deeply in worldly life. It is part of their being, of
 what they brought with them. No way is better or worse than another.
 That a sage would have to leave society is a erroneous idea, a false
 interpretation. When a sage is _in_ the society, but not _of_ it, he
 or she is the most positive element of that society."


Asked why so few where in harmony in the world:

"This question is an escape from the inquiry of your own lack of harmony.
 If I would give you `historical' answers, this would only strengthen your
 escape from the real question."

"There are many ways of teaching. My way is approaching everyone on the
 level where he currently is. [...] Maturity cannot be measured, since
 that which you are can't be made an object or be compared."

"You are love, thus do not try to be someone who loves."

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   *   wonder everyday   *   nothing in particular   *   all is special   *
                Marc Wachowitz <mw@ipx2.rz.uni-mannheim.de>