Joe, When you said practice, what do you mean? Sittings or anything else?
Siska -----Original Message----- From: "Joe" <[email protected]> Sender: [email protected] Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:22:09 To: <[email protected]> Reply-To: [email protected] Subject: [Zen] Re: Mu - Graphically Illustrated... Siska, I think Krishnamurti has the right approach. In Zen, the zen teacher is not a person who stands as an authority, nor even as an example. A Zen teacher can dispense METHODS, and use his or her attention to check on our application of the methods. When you are sick or need an operation, I hope you see a doctor, and do not just stay at home and take your chances. Spontaneous healings can happen, but waiting for that or hoping for that is very passive. In Zen practice, we PRACTICE, actively, together as a Sangha -- something perhaps not done in Krishnamurti "circles" (if there any circles "there" at all; I do not know). Each of our fellow sangha members influences us in some of the ways that a teacher does. A Zen teacher will not allow us to be dependent on him or her, and does not try to be charismatic. In the old days, you know, Zen centers kept people OUT, and made it very difficult for new people to enter the Sangha. In any case, a Zen teacher does not plant information in us, but gives us methods to perfect which open us up to our true nature. If you practice well, it will even help your Cello playing, and your martial arts. ;-) Since Zen has special methods, it makes sense to receive instruction on those methods by someone who has already accomplished them. It's the same in martial arts, and playing the Cello. Krishnamurti WRITES that one should not rely on a teacher: Zen teachers teach that Zen does not rely on WRITINGS. Who's right? Both are right; both are wrong. It's not like that at all: It's not like either way only, nor like both. Joshu said "Mu". Now you know WHY. ;-) --Joe --- In [email protected], siska_cen@... wrote: It's just that in the tradition where I am right now, we don't take teacher as authoritative figure, which seems to be so in zen.
