My ‘divorce’ from the teachings was difficult as it had become part of my life and social scene. A new family brought a focus on the practical. Many years later, i came back to a more active path and reconnected with many I had known before. Each had their stories of their own departure. Some dramatic, some quiet and still connected. But all had to step out of it in some way.

Interestingly, a majority of that reconnected group have now woken. Part of that is because one of the group is very awake and has a rather rare talent for helping the ‘ripe’ cross the threshold. It is quite remarkable to have witnessed many wakings.

And this is why I see a process and a preparation. Meaningless at some point, but there is a foggy field to be crossed for many before they can drive their own tractor.

It is all very interesting to see for oneself. Of course, I never meant to imply that nothing at all can come out of that relationship. But I often question the teacher/student relationship; not to find fault, but to see what is there.

As you have pointed out, the concepts are always wrong. That being the case, why should one go through all of that mess to be free from it? We always hear people saying, “It is a necessary part of the process.” Is it, really? How can one ever know that any of it is necessary?

That is where I may have began with inquiry as a child. Of course, there is no way of knowing that, either! Haha.

None of this is the fault of the teacher, the student, or anyone for that matter. It may well be one of those chicken and egg questions: did the student have the idea before the teaching, or did the teaching place the idea in the student?

I think most of the readers here know which direction I lean in that matter, but still…there is no way of knowing for sure. One can only see how it may or may not have unfolded within oneself.

From what I have seen, you have to speak to the student where they are. Often this means mental ideas to foster understanding. And something to motivate them to see some value in this strange idea of a “path”. The gun. People usually don’t trust themselves – indeed they may fear what is within. They have no skills for allowing rather than doing. This is the value of teaching.

But at a certain point, people must transcend/dump the teacher and the teaching. They have to cast it out. All of it is ALWAYS wrong, because it is a concept and concepts have nothing to do with being. In the end, what brought you closer becomes a barrier to being it. And that is the point when Takuin’s teaching is the key. (laughs)

This reminds me a little of Ruiz’s Toltec teaching – listen, but don’t believe any of it. Including yourself.

You also remind me of the value of seeking a good teacher. That they have a gun that can take you there. There are many teachers who are awake, to some degree. But few who really understand HOW they came to be there. They will tell you what they did, forgetting that doing is not the path to being.